A group of NATO members and Finland, which is in the process of joining the alliance, has signed a letter of intent to procure air-defense systems as part of a project to improve and coordinate Europe's security in the skies.
German Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht said on October 13 that the agreement, part of the European Sky Shield Initiative, has taken on further importance with Russia's unprovoked invasion of Ukraine.
"A total of 15 states have come together to organize joint procurements under German coordination with regard to European air defense. It is something where we have gaps," she said in Brussels after the signing.
The group that signed the letter of intent includes Germany, Britain, Slovakia, Norway, Latvia, Hungary, Bulgaria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Finland, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Romania, and Slovenia. Estonia is also looking to join the project.
Some NATO members have been looking to improve their air-defense systems in the wake of Russia's unprovoked war in Ukraine. Others need to replace or upgrade systems after giving weaponry to Ukraine.
The signing comes the same day as NATO defense ministers meet to discuss security in the face of Russia's war in Ukraine and Russian President Vladimir Putin's thinly veiled threats to consider using nuclear weapons in the conflict.