NATO also said in a release that a number of NATO Allies offered contributions to the ‘Four Thirties’ Readiness Initiative, which will ensure 30 combat ships, 30 land battalions, and 30 air squadrons, are ready to deploy within 30 days or less.
Ministers also discussed the critical issue of burden sharing, in terms of cash, capabilities and contributions. According to the latest reports on defence spending, European Allies and Canada will spend an extra $100 billion dollars on defence by the end of 2020.
On NATO’s missions and operations, the Secretary General said that NATO Allies are in Afghanistan together “and we will take decisions regarding the future of the mission together”. NATO’s training mission in Iraq “is now up and running, providing training and advice to national security institutions”. NATO’s mission to “keep a safe and secure environment for all the people in Kosovo” remains unchanged, but Ministers say they are expected to take decisions later in the spring on NATO’s engagement with the Kosovo Security Force.
For such a large alliance & combined economies the 30-30-30-30 commitment seems very modest. Better the UK & France had the capability of doing that, both independantly.