"Russia could attack NATO in the next 4 years," warns German defense chief

Members of the western NATO alliance should prepare for a possible attack by Russia within the next four years, according to Germany's defense chief.

General Carsten Breuer told the BBC that Russia was producing hundreds of tanks a year, many of which could be used for an attack on NATO member states and the Baltics by 2029 or even earlier.

He also insisted that NATO, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, remain united on the war in Ukraine, despite differences of opinion recently expressed by Hungary and Slovakia.

General Breuer spoke on the sidelines of the Shangri-la Dialogue, a defense summit in Singapore organized by the think tank, the International Institute for Strategic Studies.

His comments come weeks before a summit of NATO nations in The Hague, where they are expected to discuss defense budgets.

General Breuer said NATO is facing "a very serious threat" from Russia, a threat he has never seen before in his 40 years in service.

At the moment, he said, Russia is building up its forces on an "extraordinary scale," producing approximately 1,500 main battle tanks each year.

"Not every tank will go to [the war in] Ukraine, but it is also going to stocks and new military structures that always face the West," he said.

Russia also produced four million rounds of 152mm artillery ammunition in 2024, and not all of it would go to Ukraine, General Breuer added.

"There is an intention and there is a stockpiling" for a possible future attack on NATO member states in the Baltics, he said.

"This is what analysts are estimating - in 2029. So we should be ready by 2029... If you ask me now, is this a guarantee that it is not earlier than 2029? I would say no, it is not. So we should be able to fight," he said.

Many have long feared an attack on a NATO country, as it could trigger a larger war between Russia and the US, which is a key NATO member. According to Article 5 of the NATO treaty, any attack on a member state means that other members must come to its defense.