Photo: EPA
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte will urge major European defense companies to ramp up investment and weapons production next week as the alliance seeks to strengthen Europe’s military capabilities and respond to pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump, the Financial Times reports.
Rutte is expected to meet executives from leading European arms manufacturers in Brussels ahead of NATO’s July summit in Ankara. Companies were reportedly asked to provide details on planned investments and their ability to boost production, particularly in air defense systems and long-range missiles.
The meeting is seen as part of NATO’s broader effort to demonstrate rapid industrial growth and reassure Washington about Europe’s commitment to defense spending.
Representatives from major firms including Rheinmetall, Airbus, Saab, MBDA, Leonardo and Safran are expected to attend.
NATO also wants Europe to reduce dependence on U.S. military support and accelerate development of its own long-range strike and air defense capabilities. European governments are increasingly concerned about Washington’s long-term commitment to the region amid growing geopolitical tensions.
According to FT sources, the alliance hopes new defense agreements and industrial expansion plans unveiled before the summit will show tangible progress toward NATO members’ pledge to raise defense spending to 5% of GDP.
