Overview
- German NATO Brig. Gen. Thomas Lowin publicly outlined plans to expand pre-positioned weapons and ammunition in border states facing Russia.
- The concept establishes a multi-layered belt along the borders with Russia and Belarus that an attacker must cross before advancing.
- Networked sensors on the ground, in the air, in space and in the digital domain would feed data in real time to allies to cue defenses.
- Largely automated systems — including armed drones, partly autonomous combat vehicles, robots and automated air defenses — would slow or repel a first strike while limiting troop exposure.
- Officials stress that any weapon use would remain under human decision in line with rules of engagement and ethical standards.