Defense Alliance accelerates commercialization for technology products and contributes to regional economic development by supporting small businesses in the Upper Midwest. The Alliance serves as a vital bridge between the private-sector Defense Industrial Base and Federal acquisition requirements and priorities. Defense Alliance focuses on technologies that address the most critical national security and defense needs in market areas such as: power and energy, strategic natural resources, and cybersecurity.
The Alliance’s fundamental purpose is to safeguard the freedom and security of its members against any threat, in accordance with Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty. Its key defence assets are its credible deterrence and defence posture, built around an appropriate mix of conventional, nuclear and missile defence capabilities, complemented by space and cyber capabilities.
Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and growing geopolitical competition highlight the Alliance’s need for effective defence, including NATO’s ability to respond quickly to crises. In this context, NATO has strengthened its readiness and responsiveness. It has established four multinational battlegroups on the Alliance’s eastern flank, in Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania and Slovakia, and it is enhancing its air and missile defence capabilities.
The Alliance is also developing a whole-of-Alliance approach to resilience – preparing, empowering and investing in the ability of its citizens to defend themselves against the full range of emerging threats. These include terrorism in all its forms, as well as climate change, fragile institutions and humanitarian emergencies. In addition, NATO’s southern neighbourhood faces interconnected security, economic and demographic challenges that are exacerbated by the instability, conflict and fragility in places beyond NATO borders.
About the Author
