DEFENSE: LATVIAN PRESIDENT WARNS OF NATO VULNERABILITIES
Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs has warned that many NATO members may currently lack the capabilities needed to effectively counter a large-scale Russian missile attack if the war in Ukraine were to expand beyond Ukrainian territory.
In an interview with The Guardian, Rinkēvičs also said Europe is falling behind in drone warfare and advanced air-combat technologies. He argued that military developments in Ukraine are advancing so rapidly that some European preparations could become outdated as early as mid-2027.
The Latvian president specifically highlighted challenges involving air defense, counter-drone systems and missile defense, saying these vulnerabilities affect both Europe and NATO, as well as Ukraine despite its extensive battlefield experience
NATO, meanwhile, says it is strengthening its air and missile defense capabilities, reinforcing its eastern flank and improving readiness against emerging threats. The alliance also says lessons learned from the war in Ukraine are being incorporated into its defense planning.
