NATO has a three-point plan in place should Russia attack, according to reports. The plan's main objective would focus on stopping Russian troops and weakening the country, according to German newspaper BILD.
The focus would be on three strategies for how the West would retaliate, which constitute the "NATO Land Warfighting Concept", according to the outlet.
Missile interception and strike campaign
NATO would first intercept incoming missiles and launch a major strike campaign against Russian military infrastructure, particularly in Kaliningrad and near the Baltic borders. If Russia launched a ground assault, NATO would use drones and autonomous systems to blunt the attack and inflict heavy losses before counter-attacking with armoured forces, followed by long-range missile and drone strikes deep into Russia.
It is reported that NATO military officials do not want their plans to remain secret and that deterrence only works if the adversary knows what to expect in the event of an attack on the alliance.
Alliance background and recent tensions
NATO, a 32-member alliance, was formed in 1949 to counter the risk of Soviet attack. It now focuses on protecting allied countries by promising that an attack on one member is considered an attack on all. It has been the cornerstone of the West's security.
"EFDI is not the product of a single author, but rather NATO's transformative concept for deterrence through prevention on land," a US defence official told BILD. "It is the result of months of development work by planners from across the alliance."
The Mirror recently reported that Russia had sent a heavily armed warship close to a NATO island in the Baltic Sea. The ship, which has cruise and hypersonic missiles, has been deployed to a German island and the movement through the vital shipping zone marks the latest tensions between Russia and NATO.
Reports have also circulated that Russia is building secret bases near its border with Ukraine. The bases would be used to build hi-tech attack drones capable of striking deep inside NATO territory. Russia could launch an attack on NATO to test its resolve within weeks, according to a recent US intelligence report.
Defensive and offensive measures
Should Russian troops attack a Baltic state with missiles and drones and advance with tanks, NATO will first stop the missile strike using fighter jets, missiles and drones to disable Russian missile systems, according to the BILD report.
An "autonomous zone" is being established along the Russia-Belarus border to serve as a protective barrier. NATO soldiers are not stationed in the area and if Russian soldiers continue to infiltrate the area, they would be stopped using drones and unmanned military vehicles.
NATO also plans to strike within Russia, by destroying key military and supply bases, including airfields, arms factories and infrastructure through which Russia transports troops and equipment. The goal is to weaken Russian supply lines and prevent further waves of attack.
The military alliance also plans to establish an "air bridge", where drones will be flown to Russia by plane, with the goal of destroying airfields and military bases.
The official quoted by BILD also pointed out that any specific statements about which operations might take place during a conflict with Russia are speculative and not representative of NATO or US Army Europe and Africa. NATO said does not intend to conquer Russia, but rather push back against attacking Russian attacking forces.
