U.S. wants NATO to have force of 30,000 ready to deploy if Russia attacks With tensions high, rapid defense seen as necessary

The Wall Street Journal

U.S. wants NATO to have force of 30,000 ready to deploy if Russia attacks

With tensions high, rapid defense seen as necessary

AFP/Getty Images German tanks participate in NATO exercises in southern Germany last May.

By
JulianE. Barnes

BRUSSELS — If Europe came into conflict with Russia, only several thousand of the more than 1 million troops in its armies would be ready for rapid deployment, military planners fear.

The U.S. now wants to step up readiness and ensure that at least 30,000 troops, plus additional aircraft and naval ships, can reach a trouble spot within 30 days of NATO commanders putting forces on alert, current and former allied officials say. Tensions between Russia and the West are as high as they have been in years.

Boosting allied readiness in the face of resurgent threats from Russian has become a priority of U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis. He has told the North Atlantic Treaty Organization it must speed decision-making, improve its ability to move forces and ensure it has units ready to deploy with little notice, alliance officials said.

NATO officials are debating the issue. Officials say there is general acceptance of the U.S. position and allies hope to reach an agreement before a summit of leaders in July. A U.S. proposal would have the alliance commit to having 30 battalions, 30 fighter squadrons and 30 naval ships ready to deploy. That would translate to roughly 30,000 troops and more than 360 fighter planes.

An expanded version of this report appears on WSJ.com.