NATO military readiness and defense concerns

Concerns regarding NATO readiness have surfaced from multiple perspectives. In September 2026, U.S. Representative to NATO Matthew White indicated that the Alliance is less prepared for emerging challenges than necessary, specifically highlighting the rise of hybrid warfare involving artificial intelligence and advanced infrastructure.

During this period, military exercises titled ‘Shield Courage 2026’ were conducted in Kosovo and Metohija. These drills involved the Kosovo Security Forces, the United States, Albania, and Croatia, following a 2025 defense cooperation declaration intended to enhance interoperability against hybrid threats. While Belgrade expressed concern over the regional implications, officials from Zagreb and Pristina denied the partnership was directed at Serbia.

By October 2026, retired U.S. Lieutenant General Ben Hodges expanded on these readiness concerns, specifically regarding aerial defense. Hodges warned that NATO might struggle to withstand the intensity of missile and drone attacks currently seen in Ukraine, noting that European nations are not accustomed to such constant pressure. He emphasized that a lack of large-scale, multi-national exercises integrating air, naval, and land forces has left the alliance potentially unprepared for large-scale scenarios involving hundreds of drones and missiles.