Nato boosted by Ukraine war, but China remains major concern for US, think-tank says
- Russian invasion gave Nato renewed purpose, impelled Finland and Sweden to join the Alliance, and led Eastern Europe to sharpen defence focus, report says
- Despite the general focus on Russia, it is China that has the attention of the US in the long-term, the International Institute for Strategic Studies stated
The conflict in Ukraine “has given Nato renewed purpose” and spurred Eastern Europe to ditch Soviet-era equipment, but China’s military modernisation remains the United States’ chief concern, a British think-tank said on Wednesday.
The International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) said that around 20 countries in Europe “announced either immediate uplifts to defence spending or a stronger commitment to longer term spending goals” in 2022, in response to Russia’s actions in Ukraine.
In its annual “Military Balance” report, the London-based think-tank said that “the invasion has given Nato renewed purpose; has impelled Finland and Sweden to apply to join the Alliance; and has led states in Eastern Europe to sharpen their focus on defence.”
However, rampant inflation had eaten up much of the increased spending commitments, with European defence outlay increasing only by 0.8 per cent in real terms last year.
Russia’s invasion has also led to Eastern European states updating their inventories with “more modern Western military systems”, with South Korea also emerging as a major defence supplier in Europe.