Post by GLOBSEC

Is NATO’s Eastern Flank Truly Ready? 🛡️ This week in Prague, GLOBSEC hosted the launch of the landmark study, "Annual Battle Readiness on the Eastern Flank." The discussion of the authors and CEO Daniel Braun with Chief of the General Staff of the Czech Armed Forces Karel Řehka alongside MEPs, government officials, military experts, and defense industry leaders couldn't have been more timely in current turbulent geopolitical environment and ongoing Russian full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The consensus? Budgets and promises are a start, but they aren't enough to deter a persistent threat. Key Takeaways: 🔶 Beyond the 2% Myth: Credibility isn't just about spending; it’s about the speed of transforming finances into deployable combat power and industrial capacity. 🔶 Political Agility: Countries need legal frameworks that allow for rapid decision-making in times of crisis—time is our most precious commodity. 🔶 A "Military Schengen": Europe must eliminate administrative barriers to ensure troops and heavy equipment can move across borders without delay. 🔶 The Will to Fight: Participants emphasized, deterrence only works if the enemy believes in our societal resolve and unity. 🔶 Closing the Data Gap: Europe needs better metrics for its defense industry to avoid "ghost" capacities and ensure real interoperability. A huge thank to General Řehka, Jan Farský, Alexandr Vondra, Daniel Štech, František Novotný, Michal Hon, Diana Rádl Rogerová, Pavel Doleček, Martin Randa, Jiří Šedivý, Jan Jires, Jakub Landovský and others for the valuable insights and critical reflections. The window for strengthening our defense is now. Let’s move from pledges to presence. More details and the full report here: https://lnkd.in/dDpZCM4p #GLOBSEC #EasternFlank #NATO #Security #Defense #Industry #MilitaryReadiness