NATO is urging European member states to increase their ground-based anti-aircraft capabilities fivefold as the alliance accelerates moves to fill critical defense gaps against the growing Russian threat, according to sources familiar with the discussions.

The issue is due to be put on the table at a meeting of NATO defence ministers in Brussels on Thursday. The information comes from officials who spoke on condition of anonymity as the deliberations are being held behind closed doors.

Filling a 30-year gap

The alliance’s aim, the sources said, is to address a long-standing gap in air defence, which has emerged as NATO has gradually weakened the relevant infrastructure in Europe over the past three decades. This trend began after the Cold War, when the strategic focus shifted from Eastern Europe to threats from the Middle East and North Africa.

According to an unnamed Alliance official, “the escalation of Russian aggression” dictates the need for an immediate and coordinated upgrade of anti-aircraft capabilities, especially in countries bordering Russia or in NATO’s eastern leg.

The effort is mainly about strengthening ground-based systems for intercepting drones, cruise missiles and manned attacks, by developing advanced technologies and purchasing new weapons systems from member states that have so far had limited capabilities in this area.

Redirection of resources and allied cooperation

NATO’s proposal is also expected to spark discussions on the redirection of defence funds within the European Union and national budgets, and there are already indications that some countries, such as Germany and Poland, have begun to increase their investments in air defence.

At the same time, the Alliance is looking at new models of cooperation and joint procurement to speed up processes and achieve interoperability between the various systems to be deployed.

The decision to quintuple anti-aircraft capabilities has not yet been formally approved, but the issue is a high priority on the Summit agenda and is expected to be the subject of joint announcements and strategic plans shortly.