Rutte calls together the heads of Europe’s leading defense concerns ahead of the NATO summit in Ankara
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte will meet the heads of Europe’s leading defence companies in Brussels next week to urge them to increase investment and production, the Financial Times reported.
The meeting is expected to pave the way for major announcements at NATO’s annual summit in Ankara in July. Companies have been asked to provide information in advance on planned investment and capacity to increase production, with a focus on air defence and long-range missiles. Rheinmetall, Safran, Airbus, Saab, MBDA and Leonardo are expected to attend.
Industry representatives said it was unusual to bring together the heads of so many companies at one meeting. The event underscores the urgent need for NATO to demonstrate industrial growth ahead of a leaders’ meeting in Turkey.
The meeting comes amid calls by US President Donald Trump for increased European defense spending and reports of potential delays in US arms deliveries as stockpiles run low.
