Today (7 July) at the NATO Summit Defence Industry Forum in Ankara, NATO Allies announced that over 40 billion USD will be invested in counter-drone capabilities over the next five years. They also aim to train five times as many drone operators by the end of 2027.
To support rapid procurement, NATO will establish a counter-drone marketplace that will ensure that systems are NATO-tested, NATO-compatible and available for purchase.
Also at the summit, NATO’s Supply and Procurement Agency (NSPA) awarded a contract for “hundreds of millions of dollars” to procure surveillance drones for allied nations. In addition, Belgium and the Netherlands signed a memorandum of understanding for the government-to-government procurement of air defence systems, while Türkiye announced major investments in its domestic air defence production.
Meanwhile, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte launched the NATO Front Door for Industry, a new platform designed to give companies a single, simplified point of access to NATO procurement opportunities, innovation events and other engagement channels. He also introduced the NATO Engine, a new framework aimed at expanding industrial production capacity across the Alliance by connecting available factory capacity and fostering cross-border collaboration between European, Canadian, and U.S. companies.
The summit also saw 11 allies announce the joint procurement of Saab GlobalEye aircraft as NATO’s new Airborne Warning and Control System and a group of eight nations launched a new multinational initiative named HALO – Hybrid Alliance Layered Operations in Space. HALO will focus on improving connectivity and integration of sovereign, nationally owned and controlled military satellites into a networked mega constellation.
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Image: NATO
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