07.07.2026 15:11
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, emphasizing the importance of cooperation with the defense industry, said he wanted to draw an analogy with NATO during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Rutte stated that no team wins just because of one player; they need a goalkeeper, defenders, midfielders, and forwards.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte emphasized the importance of building cooperation between NATO and the defense industry, stating, "No single country can achieve an industrial revolution alone. We must do it together. We are NATO. We bring together our capabilities, our technology, our industry. We bring together the assets of 32 countries. That is something very powerful."
Rutte spoke at the Defense Industry Forum held in Ankara as part of the 36th NATO Heads of State and Government Summit, alongside Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz and National Defense Minister Yasar Guler.
NATO COMPARED TO FIFA
Rutte, noting that he wanted to draw a comparison with NATO during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, said no team wins solely because of one player; they need a goalkeeper, defense, midfield, and forwards.
Rutte pointed out that while goal scorers attract attention, every country has successful players as well as substitutes, coaches, trainers, and analysts; everyone, including those working behind the scenes, is important, and no one wins alone.
Emphasizing that the same applies to NATO, Rutte stressed that deterrence and defense require full teamwork.
Rutte stated that political leaders provide guidance in this context, while armed forces are on the ground, and the defense industry provides the force behind the team with equipment, innovation, and production capacity.
Rutte noted that the needed resilience and strength come from the industry in this context, enabling team play, and that it allows working together for common security.
EMPHASIS ON COOPERATION BETWEEN NATO AND THE DEFENSE INDUSTRY
Rutte emphasized that building cooperation between NATO and the industry is very important in this context, recalling that since taking over as Secretary General in 2024, he has visited factories and companies across the Alliance, including those in Turkey.
Rutte explained that during these visits, he spoke with employees and engineers, had the opportunity to see innovation firsthand, and witnessed how the partnership is put into action within this forum, calling it teamwork.
Rutte described this team as "a team that knows how to score goals," stating, "Last year at the NATO Summit in The Hague, allies made important commitments. One of them was the commitment to invest 5% of GDP in defense. Commitments to accelerate production and innovation followed. One year later, we are already starting to see results."
MASSIVE DEFENSE SPENDING
Rutte noted that last year, European allies and Canada increased defense spending by 20% compared to the previous year, saying, "We are talking about an additional $139 billion. When we look at 2025 and combine it with 2026, again looking at Canada and Europeans, we see an increase of $258 billion."
Rutte stated that this is only additional investment, emphasizing that existing funds must be used properly to enable defense and ensure deterrence.
"IF WE WANT TO WIN THE MATCH, EVERYONE MUST DO THEIR PART"
Rutte noted that governments and defense industries are expanding defense production through various investments, saying, "Just looking at last year, we saw that $37 billion was spent on developing defense industry infrastructure."
Rutte highlighted that this money is being used to build larger factories and increase production capacity, recording the following:
"This morning at the forum, new contracts were signed, major announcements were made, you heard them. All together, they amount to tens of billions of dollars, and it is increasing. What does this mean? It means more air defense systems, more strike capabilities, more satellite communications, more ammunition, more drones, and anti-drone technology. It means increased resilience and preparedness."
TARGET OF $4 MILLION IN AMMUNITION BY 2027
Rutte projected that the Alliance will be in a position to produce approximately $4 million worth of ammunition annually by 2027, roughly double last year's amount, stating, "We have made real progress, we see that. And we continue to move in the right direction. The strategy is clear, frankly. But the match is not over yet, and if we want to win it, all our team members must do their part. We need to do more, faster, and together. We no longer have the luxury of time."
"WE MUST BE CAUTIOUS"
Rutte noted that Russia is spending about 50% of its national income on its war machine, China continues to modernize its armed forces and expand nuclear capabilities, North Korea continues to expand its nuclear program and supply Russia, and US attacks have reduced Iran's nuclear capability, continuing as follows:
"In this context, we must remain cautious. Because these countries have increasingly started working together. And this actually worries all of us. Because I am sure; they are not considering our good intentions. That is the picture before us, that is the reality before us. To face these challenges, we need a transatlantic defense transformation, a revolution."
Calling on governments to continue signing contracts and reduce bureaucracy within NATO, Rutte said, "Both governments and industry must continue to invest in production capacity. Governments must also create the necessary conditions to facilitate industry development and cooperation."
"No single country can achieve an industrial revolution alone"
Rutte noted that factories need reliable energy and skilled people, emphasizing that risks must be taken in this area as well.
Stating that allies will continue to invest in defense, Rutte assessed, "No single country can achieve an industrial revolution alone. We must do it together. We are NATO. We bring together our capabilities, our technology, our industry. We bring together the assets of 32 countries. That is something very powerful."
Rutte emphasized that working together makes them stronger, stating, "We will continue to innovate rapidly in Ukraine as well. To cooperate more with Ukraine, we will continue to work in today's unprecedented drone ecosystem and create opportunities."
Rutte noted that they are at the beginning of a "Transatlantic Defense Industry Revolution," saying, "I ask you: make that first big leap."
he said.
Rutte stated that "cooperation between NATO and industry is what will bring success" and used the expression "Let us now fulfill our promises. Let us do more, faster, together."