NATO launched a series of multinational defence projects in Ankara on Tuesday, with Finland taking part in several of the alliance’s largest air capability programmes. The announcements came hours before United States President Donald Trump arrived for the alliance summit, where European allies face renewed pressure to increase defence spending and assume a larger share of responsibility for Europe’s security.
Mark Rutte, NATO’s secretary general, presented what the alliance branded “The Big Reveal” during a defence industry forum alongside the summit. He said allied countries were expanding joint procurement to deliver new military capabilities faster.
“We can do more when we do it together. And we must do more of it,” Rutte said during the event.
Finland joined Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden in expanding NATO’s multinational Airbus A330 MRTT air-to-air refuelling and transport fleet. The programme will add another aircraft to the existing fleet, increasing NATO’s capacity for aerial refuelling, strategic transport and medical evacuation.
The aircraft form part of Europe’s effort to strengthen capabilities that have relied heavily on the United States for decades.
Finland also joined Denmark, Germany and Norway in a separate agreement to acquire up to five Northrop Grumman MQ-4C Triton high-altitude surveillance drones. The aircraft will support NATO’s intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions across the alliance.
The Triton operates at high altitude for long periods and provides maritime and land surveillance over large areas.
Reuters reported that the drone purchase formed part of a broader package of procurement deals designed to demonstrate that European allies are responding to Trump’s repeated demands for higher defence investment. Reuters also reported that Washington is discussing missile production partnerships with Germany and other European countries, although no agreement has yet been announced.
NATO also confirmed plans to strengthen strategic airlift by creating a new multinational Airbus A400M transport aircraft fleet involving Belgium, Croatia, France, Poland, Spain, Turkey and the United Kingdom.
The transport aircraft will provide rapid movement of troops and equipment across Europe while supporting humanitarian operations and medical evacuation missions.
Sweden secured one of the summit’s largest industrial announcements after NATO confirmed negotiations with Saab to replace the alliance’s ageing fleet of AWACS airborne warning aircraft with GlobalEye surveillance aircraft.
The proposed purchase covers up to ten aircraft.
“It’s a moment of great pride,” Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said during the announcement.
He said the aircraft would be “made within the alliance for all the alliance.”
Saab chief executive Micael Johansson said deliveries could begin from 2030. He estimated that each aircraft would cost between 400 million and 450 million US dollars, while stressing that no final price has been agreed.
The GlobalEye combines Saab’s Erieye Extended Range radar with command, control and surveillance systems installed on Bombardier Global 6500 aircraft.
The new fleet will replace NATO’s Boeing-based AWACS aircraft, many of which have been in service for around five decades. AWACS remains one of the few military capabilities owned directly by NATO rather than by member states.
Alongside the procurement announcements, NATO said allies would invest more than 40 billion US dollars over the next five years in counter-drone capabilities.
The alliance also plans to increase drone operator training fivefold before the end of 2027. Finland joined the multinational training initiative that will deliver those programmes.
NATO members are also expected to reaffirm military support for Ukraine during the summit, including assistance worth around €70 billion in 2026, according to Reuters.
HT