NATO launches $40B counter-drone push at Ankara summit

NATO leaders gathering in Ankara, Turkey, on Tuesday showcased a series of military projects and arms deals worth tens of billions of dollars, seeking to demonstrate that the alliance is converting defense spending pledges into real firepower ahead of a summit with President Donald Trump.

Counter-Drone Investment and New Capabilities

At the NATO Summit Defence Industry Forum, Secretary-General Mark Rutte announced that allies will invest more than $40 billion in counter-drone capabilities over the next five years, part of a new initiative called "Drone Edge." The allies also committed to training five times as many drone operators by the end of 2027 and establishing a counter-drone marketplace to ensure systems are NATO-tested and compatible.sofiaglobe+1

Rutte, who on Monday described European increases in defense spending as "staggering," said NATO's European members and Canada spent $90 billion more on defense in real terms in 2025 than in 2024. The summit is focused on showing how commitments made at The Hague last year are being transformed into stronger armed forces and increased production.nato+2

GlobalEye and Patriot Deals

A coalition of NATO countries confirmed plans to replace the alliance's aging fleet of Boeing ↘ 0.82% E-3 Sentry AWACS surveillance aircraft with Saab GlobalEye jets, a deal Reuters reported could be worth roughly €5 billion. The selection of the Swedish platform over Boeing's E-7 Wedgetail marks a shift away from decades of reliance on U.S.-built airborne early warning systems, with deliveries expected from around 2030.armyrecognition+2

Separately, Poland, the United States, Germany, the Netherlands, and Sweden signed an agreement on the summit's sidelines to establish a European maintenance facility for PAC-3 missiles used by Patriot air defense systems. Dutch Defence Minister Dilan Yesilgoz told Reuters her country would announce deals and plans worth more than €3 billion, including partnerships with Belgium on air defense and Britain on naval ships.caliber+2

Broader Industrial Push

The forum also saw Lockheed Martin ↘ 1.84% and Rheinmetall sign a deal to co-produce ATACMS missiles in Europe, while nine allies agreed to develop a prototype for a generic NATO 155mm munition to streamline production and improve interoperability. NATO's Support and Procurement Agency awarded a contract worth hundreds of millions of dollars to procure surveillance drones for allies.aa+1

The flurry of announcements underscores the alliance's effort to address Trump's longstanding demands that European allies shoulder more of the defense burden, with the summit continuing through Wednesday.reuters+1