MONS, Belgium—In the summer of 2022, as Russian President Vladimir Putin’s war in Ukraine approached its 6-month mark, NATO officials were increasingly concerned about the possibility of a large-scale conflict with Russia. General Christopher Cavoli, the U.S. military chief of the alliance, believed that NATO needed to upgrade its military headquarters in Mons, Belgium, known as Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE), to better prepare for potential war scenarios. Cavoli’s vision was to transform SHAPE into a fully functional war command center that could effectively respond to any threats to NATO’s territory.
The overhaul of SHAPE is just one part of a broader effort to enhance NATO’s military capabilities. The alliance is increasing the size of its response force significantly, and the war room in Mons has been redesigned to coordinate troop deployments and plan military operations, including potential strikes on Russian soil. NATO forces are now practicing these new war plans in different parts of Europe, but the full implementation of these reforms may take years, or even decades, to fully materialize.
Despite the urgency brought about by the conflict in Ukraine, NATO member countries are facing challenges in boosting their defense capabilities and preparing for potential conflicts. Russia’s military is rapidly modernizing, while political uncertainties, such as the U.S. presidential election, add another layer of complexity to NATO’s readiness efforts. The question remains whether NATO can afford to wait decades to strengthen its defenses.
The transformation of SHAPE signifies a shift in NATO’s approach to military planning and coordination. Previously, the alliance’s joint force commands handled most of the operational responsibilities, but recent simulations and exercises have highlighted the need for a centralized war command center like SHAPE to oversee and coordinate military operations on a larger scale. General Cavoli emphasized the importance of strategic targeting and the ability to strike at deep inside Russia in the event of a conflict.
As NATO continues its military reforms and prepares for future challenges, the efforts to upgrade SHAPE and enhance the alliance’s warfighting capabilities represent a crucial step in ensuring NATO’s readiness to respond to any potential threats effectively.