07.07.2026 13:31
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said, "Russia is using half of its national budget to feed the war machine, and its intentions are not as good as ours. We also need to work together. States must take on the roles they need to play and make agreements. We need to increase production and purchasing capacity."
The Defense Industry Forum, held as part of the 36th NATO Summit hosted by Ankara, witnessed significant messages aimed at enhancing the alliance's defense capacity.
Speaking at the forum, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte highlighted the level of Russia's defense spending, emphasizing that NATO allies must act more quickly and in a coordinated manner.
"RUSSIA ALLOCATES HALF OF ITS BUDGET TO THE WAR MACHINE"
Rutte noted that Russia uses approximately half of its national budget to strengthen its war capacity, stating, "Russia uses half of its national budget to fuel the war machine. Its intentions are not as good as ours."
Emphasizing that Russia's production speed in the defense industry serves as a crucial warning for NATO, Rutte expressed that the alliance must act jointly to maintain its deterrence.
"WE MUST INCREASE PRODUCTION AND PROCUREMENT CAPACITY"
Calling on NATO countries, Rutte said, "We need to work together as well. States must take on the roles they need to play and make agreements. We must increase production and procurement capacity."
Rutte's statements align with the summit's agenda, which highlighted NATO's goal of expanding the defense industry, accelerating joint production, and implementing new defense projects worth billions of dollars. New surveillance aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles, and tanker aircraft projects were also announced at the summit.
RUSSIA AT THE CENTER OF THE AGENDA
At the summit in Ankara, increasing defense spending, strengthening defense industry production, and security risks posed by Russia were among the top agenda items. NATO leadership is urging allies to accelerate defense investments and establish concrete production capacity.