In the coming years, NATO allies are likely to invest in air defenses and increase stockpiles of munitions in response to lessons learned from Russia's war in Ukraine, Admiral Rob Bauer, head of the alliance's defense department, said, Bloomberg writes..

The Russian invasion shows that the North Atlantic Treaty Organization must be ready for World War I-style trench warfare and artillery fire while resisting attack and surveillance from armed drones, Admiral Rob Bauer, chairman of the alliance's military committee, told Bloomberg News..

“We must prepare for the future, but we must also be able to fight the war of the past,” Bauer said, pointing to the decisive role of ground forces, as well as missile and air attacks in Ukraine..

Russian missiles are causing particular damage, destroying civilian and critical infrastructure and killing dozens of people, including in the Dnieper attack over the weekend. At the same time, Ukraine, with the help of Europe and the United States, is becoming more adept at intercepting Russian missiles and drones..

This means that air defense systems that can counter ballistic and cruise missiles, fighter jets and drones will be one of the areas in which many countries will invest more in the coming decade, Bauer said..

According to him, all NATO members do not need to invest in Patriot-type air and missile defense systems, some countries are likely to buy more medium-range systems..

Deep strike capabilities that can destroy enemy missile launchers will also be critical, he said, noting that these would likely be systems that would allow allies to launch missiles either from the air at a ground target or from the ground at.

On Wednesday, Bauer led a two-day meeting in Brussels with NATO commanders in chief to discuss the war in Ukraine and the alliance's defense planning..

Bauer dismissed any notion that Russia's failures on the battlefield made the alliance less urgently needed to strengthen its capabilities.. He noted that the alliance's military strategy should still be focused on Russia's capabilities before the invasion of Ukraine in February last year..

" It will take time, money, they will learn from their own mistakes,” he said.. “We must not underestimate the Russians.”.

Drones are also growing in importance, the military chief said, as the alliance increasingly weighs the benefits of mass-producing cheaper, easier-to-replace products versus precision-guided but more expensive weapons..

Although the F-35 fighter, for example, is less vulnerable and can perform many functions, such as collecting tons of data, it is very expensive and difficult to quickly replace if it is shot down..

" “If you have simpler equipment that is easier to replace, sometimes this is also an advantage.”.

The sheer amount of munitions that both sides are burning also creates an urgent need for allies to ramp up production, both to supply Ukraine and to replenish their own stocks.. On average, Russia uses 20,000 rounds a day, about the same as the US produces in a month, Bauer said..

Although both Russia and Ukraine are depleting ammunition stocks, Ukrainian troops are more effective and more successful at hitting their targets than Russians, the NATO commander said, adding that at some point both sides will have to limit the use of ammunition..

Ukraine has warned that Russia could launch a new offensive, including another attempt to take Kyiv, but Bauer said it was "

He pointed to the problems of the Russian side in manpower, equipment, ammunition and leadership.. Many officers have been killed in recent attacks, he said, which will hamper Moscow's ability to command a large force..

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Bauer also stressed the importance of the resilience of Ukrainian society to success in confronting Russia, praising the civilian population for sharing intelligence and supporting their government despite loss of life and destruction of power, heating and water infrastructure..

" The Russians still don't know what they're fighting for, Bauer said.. “It is important for us at NATO to learn this lesson.”.

Recall, on January 20, a meeting of the contact group on the defense of Ukraine will be held at the American military base Ramstein (Germany) in a format with the participation of about 50 countries. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he was positive on the eve of a new meeting within the framework of Ramstein.