NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte called for revolutionary steps in transatlantic defense industry at the NATO Summit Defense Industry Forum in Ankara, urging companies to increase investment risks.

NATO will invest more than $40 billion in counter-UAS capabilities over five years under the new Drone Edge Initiative.

NATO announced three procurement programs to strengthen air refueling, strategic airlift, ISR and airborne early warning capabilities at the Ankara Summit.

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte announced that billions of dollars in new defense contracts will be unveiled at the NATO summit scheduled for July 7-8 in Ankara. A major defense industry event will be held on the summit's opening day.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte emphasized that Turkey's defense industry will benefit all members of the Alliance ahead of the Ankara Summit, highlighting the importance of transatlantic defense industrial transformation.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said the Defense Industry Forum linked to the July 7–8, 2026 Ankara Summit will be the alliance’s biggest industrial event to date.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte’s April 21–22 visit to Ankara underscored Türkiye’s growing role in the alliance ahead of the July 7–8, 2026 Ankara Summit and amid wider shifts in the transatlantic security balance.

At the IISS Prague Defence Summit, SSB President Haluk Görgün met with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte to discuss Turkey’s growing defense capabilities and their contribution to NATO’s collective deterrence and future vision.