TSAMTO, July 8th. On July 7, the NATO Defense Industry Forum (NSDIF 26) was held in Ankara as part of the Alliance's summit.
Following the meeting, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte announced the signing of multibillion-dollar contracts and memorandums of understanding with companies in Europe and North America.
The largest of them are listed below.
- Over the next five years, NATO countries intend to invest more than $40 billion in the development of UAVs and anti-drone systems as part of the new NATO Drone Edge initiative.
The launch of the program was announced by NATO Secretary General M.Rutte, speaking on July 7 at the NSDIF26 forum in Ankara. According to him, the NATO Drone Edge initiative is aimed at comprehensively strengthening the capabilities of allies in the UAV production segments, deploying multilayer anti-drone systems, as well as training personnel to operate and integrate these systems into the overall military architecture.
- NATO begins negotiations on the purchase of up to 10 GlobalEye (Saab) aircraft to replace the obsolete E-3A Sentry AWACS
The Swedish company Saab has announced the start of official negotiations with NATO on the acquisition of up to 10 GlobalEye long-range radar detection and control aircraft to replace the Boeing E-3A Sentry fleet. Saab CEO Mikael Johanson said that deliveries are possible as early as 2030, the price is about 400-450 million dollars per unit.
- NATO will purchase up to 5 MQ-4C Triton drones from Northrop Grumman
Norway, Finland, Germany and Denmark have signed a letter of intent for the purchase of up to five MQ-4C Triton high-altitude reconnaissance UAVs manufactured by Northrop Grumman. This is the first purchase of drones of this type for the needs of the alliance; they will complement the fleet of RQ-4D Phoenix at Sigonella Air Base (Italy).
- Lockheed Martin and Rheinmetall signed a memorandum on joint production of ATACMS missiles in Germany
The American Lockheed Martin and the German concern Rheinmetall have signed a memorandum of understanding on the joint production of ATACMS missiles in Germany – for the first time outside the United States.
- NATO announced the modernization of the A400M fleet and the expansion of the A330 MRTT fleet
Within the framework of the forum, it was announced the launch of a multinational program for the modernization of Airbus A400M military transport aircraft and the expansion of the fleet of A330 MRTT tankers/transporters by one unit.
- Isar Aerospace has signed a contract with Maritime Launch Services (Canada) for access to the spaceport in Nova Scotia
The German company Isar Aerospace has signed an agreement with the Canadian Maritime Launch Services for access to the Spaceport Nova Scotia infrastructure in order to increase readiness for orbital launches. The deal was announced as part of NSDIF26.
Other aspects of the first day of the Ankara summit and some provisions of the draft final declaration
- Non-American NATO members increased military spending by 20% in 2025, to $574 billion.
According to the data provided in the article by M.Rutte for The Washington Post, non-American allies increased military spending by 20% in 2025, reaching $574 billion. The draft final declaration of the summit will record that the European allies and Canada have increased investments in defense by more than $139 billion.
- M.Rutte pointed out two main obstacles for NATO: the overloaded defense industry and the shortage of personnel
The NATO Secretary General said that the key problems of the alliance remain the overload of military-industrial capacities due to the Ukrainian conflict and the lack of opportunities for the recruitment and training of military personnel.
- NATO allies will sign a memorandum on the ecosystem of the defense industry
According to Turkish media, the leaders of the NATO member states will sign a memorandum on the development of the defense industry ecosystem and confirm commitments to increase defense spending to 5% of GDP by 2035.
Support for Ukraine
- The final declaration will fix 70 billion rubles. Euro military support for Ukraine in 2026
The draft final declaration of the summit contains a package of military assistance to Ukraine in the amount of 70 billion. the euro for 2026 and a commitment to maintain a similar or greater amount of support in 2027. The United States will not participate in financing the package.
- Germany has committed to make the largest individual contribution to the new aid package for Kiev
German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said that Germany's share in the new package of military support for Ukraine will be the largest among the alliance's member states.
Russia. Iran
- The Final Declaration confirms the firm commitment to article 5 of the Washington Treaty
The draft final declaration of the summit, agreed upon by all 32 ambassadors of the NATO member States, reaffirms the firm commitment to the principle of collective defense in accordance with Article 5.
- Russia is described in the declaration as a "long-term threat" to the security of the alliance
According to Reuters, the leaders of the NATO member states intend to characterize Russia as a "long-term security threat" to the bloc.
- The Declaration calls on Iran to respect freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz
In the final declaration, the NATO allies urge Iran to strictly observe freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and affirm the inadmissibility of Iran obtaining nuclear weapons.
USA-NATO
- Trump attended the summit after Erdogan's personal invitation
US President Donald Trump initially did not plan to attend the summit, but changed his mind after a personal invitation from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
- Turkey and the United States have designated a "reset" of defense relations
Following the results of the first day of the summit, signals were recorded about a reset in relations between Turkey and the United States in the defense sector, including discussions on lifting CAATSA sanctions and the possibility of supplying F-35 fighter jets.
