Allies must boost defense production to counter global threats: NATO Chief

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte emphasized the need for greater defense spending and production, citing the alliance’s strong industrial base, from the U.S. to Türkiye’s growing defense sector.

NATO defense ministers convened in Brussels to discuss boosting defense budgets and military production ahead of the June NATO summit in The Hague.

Rutte highlighted that European allies and Canada have significantly increased their contributions over the past decade, exceeding $700 billion in defense spending.

In 2024 alone, European and Canadian NATO members invested nearly $500 billion in defense—an almost 20% increase from 2023.

Despite this growth, Rutte stressed it remains insufficient, urging allies to ramp up defense production.

Why it matters

Rutte pointed out that NATO already possesses world-class defense industries, spanning from the U.S. to Türkiye and across Europe.

However, he warned that to outpace adversaries like Russia and China, the alliance must “produce more, faster, and together.”

The meeting also addressed Russia’s destabilizing actions, particularly in the Baltic Sea, and the ongoing Ukraine-Russia war.

NATO allies will conclude the session by meeting with Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov and EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas to discuss further support for Ukraine.