NATO allies unveiled on Tuesday a series of new projects and initiatives as part of efforts to step up defense efforts and bolster the deterrence of the alliance at a critical gathering in the Turkish capital.
The defense showcase came as part of the NATO Summit Defense Industry Forum (NSDIF26), a high-level event taking place on the first day of the 2026 NATO summit, which, after 22 years, returned to Türkiye.
The two-day summit in Ankara is being held at a critical point, as the U.S. is pushing for Europe to step up and take more responsibility for its own defenses.
It also comes on a backdrop of continued geopolitical volatility amid the Russia-Ukraine war and the recent crisis in the Middle East.
Addressing the defense forum, NATO chief Mark Rutte cited that "real progress" has been made, recalling last year's Hague summit at which the alliance nations committed to spending 5% of gross domestic product (GDP) on defense and security-related spending by 2035.
