NATO Allies Announce $90 Billion in Defence Deals at Ankara Summit

NATO members concluded a summit in Ankara with announcements of $50 billion in defence production contracts and a $40 billion five-year program for counter-drone capabilities. The contracts cover submarines, Patriot missile systems, interceptors, and ammunition. Officials presented the spending as progress toward a 5 percent of GDP defence target by 2035.

NATO selected Swedish company Saab to build surveillance aircraft that will replace the current Airborne Warning and Control System. "Drones have fundamentally altered, as we all know, the character of modern warfare," NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said at the Defence Industry Forum.

Ukraine Production and U.S.

Ukrainian President Zelenskyy attended meetings alongside the U.S. president. "A little birdie told me this, about the fact that we'll give them the right to make Patriots," the U.S. president said.

European allies stated they will increase domestic production and reduce reliance on external suppliers over the longer term. Officials noted that some weapons remain available only from U.S. sources in the short term. "New capabilities are being delivered, industry is expanding production, and European Allies and Canada are assuming greater responsibility for our shared security," Rutte said at a closing press conference.