A new report by the Financial Times has highlighted a significant vulnerability in NATO’s defense capabilities, particularly in Central and Eastern Europe, where air defenses are critically insufficient. According to the report dated May 29, NATO members possess less than 5% of the air defense systems required to protect these regions from potential attacks. This alarming shortfall leaves these countries particularly exposed in the event of an invasion.A NATO official, while not commenting on specific capability targets or defense plans due to their classified nature, acknowledged the reduction in air defense stockpiles. A senior NATO diplomat emphasized that defending against missile and air strikes is a crucial element of NATO’s strategy to protect Eastern Europe, a capability that is currently lacking.The Financial Times report comes at a time of heightened tension, following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Estonia’s foreign intelligence service warned in February that Russian military presence near the Estonian border is expected to increase significantly, anticipating a potential conflict with NATO within the next decade. On May 28, Russian President Vladimir Putin hinted at possible retaliation against European countries supporting Ukraine, warning NATO members of the serious consequences of escalating conflicts with Russia.European NATO states have struggled to supply Ukraine with additional air defense systems, underscoring the continent’s limited stock of these critical and complex systems. This shortage has spurred various initiatives to develop long-term solutions. Germany’s Sky Shield initiative, launched last year with over a dozen EU countries, aims to create a shared air defense system utilizing American and Israeli technology. However, the initiative has faced criticism, notably from France, which has proposed an alternative concept backed by fewer allies.Furthermore, Poland and Greece have urged the European Commission to develop and finance a pan-European air defense system. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has shown support for this proposal. In a letter to von der Leyen, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk emphasized the urgent need to address air defense vulnerabilities, lessons underscored by the war in Ukraine.The proliferation of inexpensive, long-range attack drones, extensively used by Russia in Ukraine, has heightened these concerns. As NATO grapples with these defense challenges, the necessity for robust air defense systems to protect against modern threats becomes increasingly apparent.