NATO plans to unveil tens of billions of dollars in new defense contracts at its upcoming summit in Ankara, signaling a major push to strengthen military production and collective security across the alliance.
Speaking in Washington, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said member states must better convert their economic strength into real military capability as global threats continue to grow. He stressed the need to cut bureaucracy, improve cooperation, and reduce fragmentation among national defense industries.
The July 7–8 summit in Türkiye’s capital is expected to highlight concrete progress. Rutte said the gathering will feature a dedicated defense industry day, where companies and governments will announce major agreements, including contracts, memorandums of understanding, and letters of intent.
Across NATO territory, defense firms are already increasing production to meet rising demand. Türkiye alone hosts around 3,000 defense companies operating within the alliance. Rutte also praised Aselsan, Türkiye’s leading defense electronics firm, calling its engineers a driving force behind a growing industrial transformation that could benefit all NATO members.
Beyond industry, the summit will carry strong political weight. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is expected to attend, as NATO reaffirms its long-term support for Ukraine. Rutte said Ukraine continues to show strength, particularly in drone and counter-drone technology, and has made effective strikes on key Russian infrastructure.
He emphasized that NATO must continue supplying Ukraine with as many air defense systems as possible, underscoring the alliance’s commitment to Kyiv.
Rutte suggested the Ankara summit could prove even more significant than last year’s meeting in The Hague. While that gathering focused on commitments, such as increasing defense spending, Ankara will be about delivering results.
Recent figures show NATO members have already increased defense spending by nearly 20 percent, a sign that promises are beginning to take shape. The next step, Rutte said, is to ensure a credible path toward higher spending targets and stronger capabilities.
In his remarks, he made clear that actions matter more than words. While commitments are important, he said, what truly matters is implementation—a message aimed as much at NATO citizens as at its adversaries.
