NATO agreed on Thursday to modernise its nuclear capabilities and strengthen its nuclear planning capacity, the alliance’s senior body for nuclear deterrence said in a statement.
The decision was made by defense ministers from NATO’s Nuclear Planning Group (NPG), which serves as a forum for consultation and decision-making on nuclear deterrence.
All NATO allies except France are members of the group.
The ministers said the alliance’s strategic nuclear forces remain the “supreme guarantee” of allied security and continue to support NATO’s extended deterrence framework.
“NPG Ministers agreed to continue enhancing NATO’s nuclear deterrence mission by modernizing NATO’s nuclear capabilities, strengthening its nuclear planning capacity, and adapting to achieve its security interests,” the group said.
Hegseth criticizes allies and announces U.S. force review
The NATO meeting in Brussels also saw tensions over defense spending and members’ positions on the Iran war.
U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth criticized some NATO members on Thursday and announced a review of U.S. military forces stationed in Europe.
“It’s a review that some countries will fail, and others will pass with flying colors,” Hegseth told NATO defense ministers gathered at the alliance’s headquarters.
The comments came as defense ministers met to discuss NATO’s security priorities and the alliance’s future military posture.
