A defense alliance is an arrangement in which a stronger country guarantees the security of a weaker one. In return, the stronger country may provide economic benefits or military protection. This type of alliance is a central element in a broader international order, which seeks to protect the freedom and security of all nations by maintaining a rules-based global security system and guaranteeing the right of each state to choose its own path.
Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine sparked NATO leaders to reinforce defences on the Alliance’s eastern flank, adding new military outposts in Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania and Slovakia to those already present in Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland. The Alliance also strengthened cyber defences and stepped up exercises focused on collective defence and interoperability.
At the same time, Allies are strengthening their ability to adapt in an increasingly complex and unpredictable security environment. This includes a whole-of-nation approach to resilience, including preparing for and responding to attacks that target democratic systems, critical infrastructure, public health and food insecurity. NATO’s efforts to maintain its technological edge also have a vital role to play, given the increasing importance of emerging and disruptive technologies such as artificial intelligence, autonomy, big data and biotechnology.
NATO’s success depends on the full commitment of Allies, which is why NATO Leaders have renewed their Defence Investment Pledge – an enduring commitment to invest at least 2 percent of GDP on defence. This allows the Alliance to meet its existing and future defence needs across land, air, maritime and cyber domains, and to respond to evolving threats and challenges in a more contested world.