Daily Archives: October 2, 2014

Witold Waszczykowski o expose Kopacz i gotowoci NATO do obrony (02.10.2014)
Wywiad z Witoldem Waszczykowskim dla Radia WNET fot. sobieski.org.pl.

By: ArtiqbForever2

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Witold Waszczykowski o expose Kopacz i gotowoci NATO do obrony (02.10.2014) - Video

WASHINGTON: A top Nato general on Thursday said the alliance needed "more bang for the buck" when it comes to defense equipment, and urged arms makers to work on making it easier for countries to use laser-guided missiles and other weapons on a range of platforms.

Danish Army General Knud Bartels, chairman of Nato's defense committee, told U.S. defense writers that industry needed to look beyond pure profits and find ways to help Nato buy weapons more efficiently under the alliance's new "smart defense" initiative, including possible bulk buys across member states.

"I hope the military industries of all allies will maybe ... move slightly beyond the point of just having profits, and also look at what is their long term interest, which is capable forces," Bartels said as he mapped out the rapidly evolving challenges facing the western alliance.

Tough budget pressures in the United States and western Europe limited funds for new weapons, he said.

"The military industry will not see more money coming its way. It will also have to become more efficient," he said. "Speaking as a soldier, I want to see the best possible equipped forces in the alliance, and industry has a role to play, and until now, I fail to see it playing this role."

Bartels said Nato was looking to carry out common acquisitions of munitions and other equipment to benefit from greater economies of scale. Military officials were also seeking to end the excessive "gold plating" of requirements for weapons.

Bartels said Nato needed expanded capabilities in the area of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, as well as in the computer systems that control weapons on the battlefield.

But he said it was also critical to invest in military exercises and training to ensure that weapons could be easily deployed when needed.

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Nato general calls for 'more bang for the buck' from arms makers

Jens Stoltenberg: the new Nato secretary general gives his first press conference at the alliances headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, yesterday. Photograph: Olivier Hoslet/EPA

Natos new secretary general, Jens Stoltenberg, has pledged to adopt a constructive approach to Russia.

Addressing journalists at Nato headquarters in Brussels on his first day as the transatlantic alliances top official, he said: I see no contradiction between a strong Nato and our continued effort to build a constructive relationship with Russia. Just the opposite. Only a strong Nato can build such a relationship for the benefit of Euro-Atlantic security.

Mr Stoltenberg also indicated his support for stronger links between the EU and Nato, adding that closer cooperation would be a particular advantage for countries who are not members of the alliance. Ireland is one of six EU countries that are not members of Nato.

The 55-year old former Norwegian prime minister is taking over the helm at Nato at a delicate time, as the organisation grapples with a deteriorating relationship between the West and Russia over Ukraine.

He said that Nato air patrols in the Baltic, rotation of forces and naval deployments would go on for as long as necessary in order to safeguard citizens safety. Our troops are ready to deploy within days, he said.

But he declined to specify what would constitute troop deployment, stating that Nato wanted changes in the actions of Russia which demonstrate that they are respecting their international obligations.

Asked about his own political past, Mr Stoltenberg brushed aside accusations that he had been a pacifist, anti-Nato campaigner in the 1970s, arguing that he turned the young Labour Party in Norway from one that was against Nato into one that was in favour of the organisation. It is hard to find a Norwegian politician as in favour of Nato as I am, he said.

A three-term prime minister, Mr Stoltenberg (55), is Natos 13th secretary general, a position that is usually held by a European. He replaces the former Danish prime minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen, who had held the position since 2009.

Mr Stoltenberg, whose appointment was announced earlier this year, is believed to have the strong backing of German chancellor Angela Merkel.

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Incoming Nato chief signals constructive approach to Russia