Strength in unity. As NATO prepares for its annual summit in The Hague, Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone, Chairman of NATO’s Military Committee, spoke with our sister magazine Airpress about the alliance’s strategic challenges and growing ambitions—from the 5% spending target to the southern flank and Arctic tensions.
- The convergence of threats from Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea presents an “unprecedented challenge” to the West, said Admiral Cavo Dragone, a former Italy’s Chief of Defence.
- To counter this, NATO must remain cohesive, deepen partnerships, and enhance deterrence capabilities.
- “We must hit the operational milestones set at the 2023 Vilnius summit,” he noted, referencing recent defence ministers’ agreement on a new round of ambitious capability targets.
- These goals, he conceded, will require increased financial commitment.
- “In 75 years, NATO has not lost a single inch of allied territory. That must remain true.”
Rethinking burden-sharing. By 2032, the US share of conventional military capabilities in Europe is expected to drop from 44% to around 30%.
- This would require EU countries to shoulder 70% of Europe’s collective defence—a dramatic shift.
- According to Cavo Dragone, public support will be vital as “investing in defence is demanding, but it is far less costly than war or reconstruction.”
- Europe’s military-industrial base must expand, especially for munitions, naval production, and dual-use technologies.
- The Admiral highlighted the need for “broad industrial cooperation among European nations, EU institutions, and partners.”
Trump and NATO. With Donald Trump back in the White House, many observers expect tensions around NATO’s future.
- Admiral Cavo Dragone offered his view: “There is no operational signal of US disengagement. Europe is still vital to American security—just as the US is to Europe.”
- Still, Washington’s call for more European responsibility is legitimate and longstanding.
- “The European allies and Canada are responding with substantial efforts,” he said, albeit at different speeds.
Southern front watch. NATO’s southern flank—often overshadowed by the eastern front—is again gaining attention.
- “The instability in the southern neighbourhood has direct consequences for our security,” said the Admiral. He praised NATO’s evolving partnership frameworks in the Middle East and North Africa, including the upcoming liaison office in Amman.
- Russian military activity in southern Libya is a growing concern. “The presence of Africa Corps units and Russian assets poses a tangible threat to Europe,” he warned.
Arctic pressures rising. The Arctic is becoming a new front in global competition as Russia is militarising the region, reactivating Soviet-era bases, and testing new weapons systems, and China’s ambitions—despite being a self-proclaimed “near-Arctic state”—are also on NATO’s radar.
- “The Arctic is both an opportunity and a geopolitical flashpoint,” the Admiral said.
- NATO has responded by increasing exercises and readiness, especially with Finland and Sweden now part of the alliance.
- “We hope Russia and China choose sustainable competition, not confrontation.”
