[Deutsche Welle] NATO - Division on How to Strengthen Logistics and Infrastructure

On Sunday morning, NATO delegates tackled how the war in Ukraine is reshaping conventional military strategies, and what the alliance must do to stay prepared in case of future conflicts. While unity on the big picture was clear, divisions emerged over logistics, infrastructures, and the balance between military and civilian needs.

Countries like the U.S, Germany, and Finland emphasized the urgent need to improve logistical supply chains, focusing on moving troops, equipment, and ammunition faster across countries. Indeed, according to the U.S. delegation, NATO needs to focus on quality rather than quantity to see the military improved : "NATO needs a real improvement of weapons, and infrastructures, not more soldiers deployed".

Others, including Bulgaria and Norway, called for clearer definitions. Indeed, who knows if they were talking about critical logistics including roads and bridges, or specific military infrastructures like ports, bases, and fuel systems?

Energy security was another key topic. Where Bulgaria warned of how NATO ran into fuel shortages early in Ukraine, the U.K. and Denmark urged for stronger protections against cyberattacks on supply lines. Denmark also aligned with Finland where both countries underlined the importance of cybersecurity and adapting regulations to modern threats.

While richer countries debated where to invest, smaller nations like Romania pushed for greater financial support from wealthier allies to help improve their defenses and infrastructure. Some delegates argued that NATO should increase funding for logistics committees, while others cautioned against duplicating existing plans.

In a nutshell, NATO is learning from Ukraine, but debates remain over whether to prioritize quality over quantity, critical logistics versus military ones, and how to fairly distribute resources across the alliance. Supply chain resilience remains a key topic to discuss in detail yet…