NATO Admiral Urges Development of Mid-Range Missiles to Counter Russia’s Oreshnik Missile

NATO should develop long-range weaponry to effectively address threats like Russia’s Oreshnik intermediate-range ballistic missiles, according to NATO Supreme Allied Commander for Transformation Admiral Pierre Vandier in an interview with Defense News on December 26.

“If Russia has means to strike Europe at the depth of 2,000 km, you need to be able to answer. Deterrence is a way to put pressure on the enemy before it comes to you,” Vandier emphasized.

Admiral Vandier underscored that advanced long-range missiles could force Russian leader Vladimir Putin to “think of the consequences of his actions before he commits them.”

The NATO commander highlighted the erosion of stabilization tools established after the Cold War, particularly the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty, from which both the US and Russia have withdrawn.

Over the past four to five years, most of these mechanisms have ceased to function, Vandier noted, adding that NATO must now strike a balance between deterrence and defense.

Vandier warned that relying solely on missile defense systems like Israel’s Iron Dome isn’t viable due to Europe’s vast geographical size. Instead, he advocated for the development of long-range missiles with a range of 1,000–2,000 kilometers. This initiative, he said, aligns with NATO's European Long-Strike Approach (ELSA)  to prepare for future challenges.

Earlier, reports emerged that analysis of the debris from the medium-range ballistic missile Oreshnik, used by Russia in its November 21 attack on Dnipro, challenges Vladimir Putin’s claims that the missile represents cutting-edge technology.