NATO needs to regain its ability to operate on larger scale - Breedlove

"I do think you'll see that increased exercise regiment in those targeted areas where we really need to work on skills that we lost during the Afghanistan mission," the retired US general told reporters after meeting with Lithuanian Foreign Minister Linas Linkevičius.

"Remember our Alliance did wonderful work in Afghanistan, but it was counter insurgency, small unit work. What we need to regain is our ability to exercise and operate in larger units and larger scale. And I think you will see some targeted work there," he added.

NATO this year plans to additionally deploy around 8,000 troops to Central and Eastern Europe as a deterrent to Russia, including a US brigade in Poland and multi-national battalions in the three Baltic countries and Poland each.

The Alliance also plans to more frequently hold military exercises in the region this year.