British lawmakers said NATO is not prepared for the possibility of an attack by Russia against one of its members. 

They noted that "alarming deficiencies" in NATO's preparedness became evident during Russia's incursion into Ukraine's Crimean peninsula. 

Rory Stewart, chairman of Parliament's Defence Select Committee, appeared to criticize NATO by saying that the military alliance "has been too complacent about the threat from Russia, and it is not well prepared."

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He said the possibility of Russia attacking its neighbors is matter that NATO should address with urgency.

The committee said NATO leaders meeting in Wales in September should agree to position equipment and train troops in Lithuania, Estonia and Latvia, noting that Baltic states are particularly vulnerable to a Russian offensive.

It also warned of non-combat tactics by Russia, such as cyber attacks, and said NATO should also be prepared to counter them.

The committee's report follows Britain's announcement that it would send additional military vehicles and soldiers to Poland to participate in NATO exercises in October.

Poland, a NATO member, shares a border with Ukraine, where pro-Russia separatists are accused of shooting down the Malaysia Airlines plane that crashed and killed 298 people on July 17.

Poland's government has called for NATO troops to be based permanently in the region as a deterrent to Russian intervention.

But such an operation is expensive and could further antagonize Russia, according to NATO members that have expressed reservations about Poland's suggestion.

A spokesperson for the alliance, nonetheless, said a review was underway to examine NATO's defense strategies, methods for evaluating threats and sharing intelligence, as well as procedures for early warning.

She pointed out that NATO chief Andes Fogh Rasmussen had emphasized that the alliance needed to adapt to the new security environment.

Britain's defense secretary, Michael Fallon, said earlier this week that with NATO's planned withdrawal from Afghanistan, it is time for the alliance to shift its focus to securing the borders of its member countries.

TagsPoland national defense, British military, Michael Fallon, Andes Fogh Rasmussen, Lithuania, Latvia, Crimea, Europe military, Estonia, Russian threat