2022 dramatically changed rhetoric around NATO's strategic position and the importance of conventional military deterrence and preparedness, particularly in Europe. While many politicians were quick to speak on the need to respond decisively to the new envioronment, both by aiding Ukraine and also building up domestic capability, there was an open question over whether the will and capacity was there to convert announcements into orders and deliveries. Today, we look at NATO defence spending estimates for 2023 to get an idea of what patterns are emerging, and ask how NATO is responding to the Russian challenge. Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/PerunAU Caveats and Corrections: The main additional caveat to apply to this video is that the expenditure figures are mostly based on a single source - the defence expenditure figures published by NATO (https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/news_216897.htm) This means that you may see figures that you think are 'wrong' - in that they do not accord with other sources or methodologies - for example SIPRI figures, nationally published figures or documents like the US NDAA. They are used because they allow for the comparison of multiple nations over multiple years using a consistent methodology and definitions. While if generating figures myself, I would likely use a different figure and methodology in at least some cases, data analysis of this kind prizes consistency over time and between different parties - which is why I've chosen not to deviate from these figures during this presentation. All other normal caveats and disclaimers apply, including the nature of the material as entertainment and apologies for any perceived errors or omissions. Relevant sources/reading: Defence expenditure by NATO countries - updated to mid 2023 https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/news_216897.htm NATO budget announcement: https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/news_210091.htm NATO strategic concept (June 2022 version) https://www.nato.int/nato_static_fl2014/assets/pdf/2022/6/pdf/290622-strategic-concept.pdf DW - what happened to the 100B Euro special fund? https://www.dw.com/en/what-happened-to-the-german-militarys-100-billion-fund/a-64846571 Article on Russia building 1,500 T90M tanks per year (press X) https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/medvedev-t90m-built-tackle-western Example used in the narrative section: https://breakingdefense.com/2022/05/russian-attempts-to-restock-its-military-may-be-doomed-to-failure/ Ukraine to buy Rosomak from Poland https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2023/04/03/ukraine-to-buy-100-rosomak-armored-vehicles-from-poland/ Currency charts per tradingeconomics.com US Security Assistance to Ukraine https://www.state.gov/u-s-security-cooperation-with-ukraine/ Reporting on Poland announcements: https://breakingdefense.com/2023/08/poland-signs-deals-for-light-recon-vehicles-heavy-infantry-combat-vehicles-and-apcs/ https://defence-blog.com/poland-to-buy-heavy-infantry-fighting-vehicles/#:~:text=On%20August%2014%20in%20Warsaw,new%20heavy%20infantry%20fighting%20vehicles. https://defence24.com/industry/poland-announces-an-order-for-1000-borsuk-ifv-and-a-new-heavy-vehicle Govt visit to Excalibur Army https://www.excaliburarmy.cz/news/the-prime-minister-of-czech-republic-visited-ea-company-52 Germany 100B Euro fund approved - 2022 https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/german-lawmakers-approve-100-bln-euro-military-revamp-2022-06-03/ Example of production ramp up factor https://europeanconservative.com/articles/news/slovakia-to-increase-artillery-ammo-production-fivefold/ Poland receives first K2s and K9s https://www.president.pl/news/poland-receives-first-consignment-of-korean-tanks-howitzers,62099 Example of foreign purchase factor https://kyivindependent.com/media-denmark-netherlands-buy-new-leopard/ Example industrial and supply agreement - artillery ammo for UA https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/eu-strikes-deal-boost-ammunition-production-aid-ukraine-2023-07-07/ The mentioned Reuters report on Russian defence expenditures being revised upwards: https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russia-doubles-2023-defence-spending-plan-war-costs-soar-document-2023-08-04/#:~:text=LONDON%2C%20Aug%204%20(Reuters),growing%20strain%20on%20Moscow's%20finances. Germany to begin work on F-35 plant https://www.dw.com/en/germanys-rheinmetall-starts-building-f-35-fuselage-plant/a-66406164 Reporting on interrelation between supplementals and national procurement https://www.defensenews.com/land/2023/03/27/did-ukraine-funding-spare-the-us-army-from-budget-cuts/ Timestamps: 00:00 — The Race To Rearm: NATO Spending In 2023 02:31 — What Am I Talking About? 03:01 — Data Interpretation 06:43 — The Pre-invasion Picture 10:39 — NATO Responds - 2022 19:59 — NATO Figures - 2023 27:32 — National Examples 27:41 — The US 29:26 — Poland 32:33 — Germany 34:36 — Canada 36:35 — Additional Budget Drivers 44:17 — In Perspective 48:24 — Conclusion 49:23 — Channel Update