NATO states boost maritime security to counter Russia.

• Author: Machi, Vivienne
• Position: Global Defense

As tensions with Russia grow, the United States and its NATO allies are reinforcing their commitment to strategic issues, including maritime security.

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In a brief by the Atlantic Council's Brent Scowcroft Center on International Security, titled "NATO's Next Consortium: Maritime Patrol Aircraft," analysts argued that it's time for NATO members to improve their high-end maritime capabilities in order to face multiple security challenges.

Russia's aggressive sub-surface tactics in the High North and Baltic regions--where it has boosted the numbers of submarine and intelligence-gathering ships--are only one part of the challenge, but one that deserves "special attention," the report said.

"NATO's maritime command also recently reported that Russian submarine activity in the North Atlantic now rivals that seen during the height of the Cold War," the report added.

During a May speech at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg said the NATO alliance, and particularly the U.S.-Norway relationship, was key to her country's national security.

"We need those countries that are like-minded to stand together in an insecure world," she said. "In practical terms, this means investing in our common security."

Norway has now increased its defense budget for the third time in three years, she...