NATO chief touts "real progress" in defense spending

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on Tuesday touted "real progress" in defense spending commitments as leaders of the alliance met in Ankara, Turkey, for the annual summit.

"Last year, at the NATO summit in The Hague, allies made important commitments, to invest 5% of GDP in defense, to accelerate production, and to speed up innovation. One year later, we can already see the results," he said at the start of a defense industry forum.

President Trump, who has long criticized the alliance as one-sided, called on NATO countries to double their defense spending commitments last year, and allies agreed to a target of 5% of GDP by 2035.

European leaders have faced increased urgency to boost defense spending as Russia continues its war in Ukraine and President Trump signals the U.S. is preparing to draw down its military support on the continent.

The NATO chief said European allies and Canada have invested hundreds of billions of additional dollars in defense over the past several years, and touted "substantial" new contracts and announcements at this year's forum.

"That means more air defense systems and strike capabilities, more satellite communications, more ammunition, more drones and counter-drone systems, and increased resilience and preparedness," he said, highlighting a nearly twofold increase in the allies' artillery shell production capacity.

"So yes, we have made real progress. We are moving in the right direction. The strategy is clear," he said. "But the match is far from over. And to win it, we need all team members to pull their weight. Do more, faster, together. We don't have the luxury of time. We need capabilities now, to ensure we remain ready. The security situation demands it."

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