NATO leaders are set to announce arms deals worth tens of billions of dollars in Ankara on Tuesday, aiming to demonstrate they are responding to U.S. calls to boost defence spending ahead of a summit with President Donald Trump.
The announcements will be made at a NATO defence industry forum before Trump meets Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan and joins fellow alliance leaders for the NATO summit, which opens with a dinner on Tuesday evening.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said European allies have sharply increased defence spending, driven by Russia’s war in Ukraine and sustained pressure from President Donald Trump. He said European members and Canada boosted defence spending by about 20% in 2025, adding $90 billion to exceed $570 billion.
Meanwhile, Trump is expected to tell Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan he is open to allowing Turkey back into the F-35 fighter jet programme, Reuters reported. The U.S. removed Turkey from the programme and imposed sanctions after Ankara purchased Russia’s S-400 air defence system in 2019.
Iran War Prompted Trump To Revive Criticism Of NATO
Trump has renewed criticism of NATO allies, accusing them of not doing enough and even suggesting the U.S. could leave the alliance or reconsider its mutual defence commitments.
European officials say they have supported Washington by providing airspace and bases, but tensions remain after the U.S. announced troop cuts, reduced NATO deployments and began a review of its military presence in Europe.
Ahead of the summit, allies are expected to reaffirm support for Ukraine and pledge €70 billion ($79.98 billion) in aid this year, as Russia continues missile and drone attacks on Kyiv.
Defence Deals Under Wraps
Details of the arms deals to be announced on Tuesday have been kept under wraps in an effort by NATO to make a PR splash ahead of the summit.
But Dutch Defence Minister Dilan Yesilgoz told Reuters on Monday her country would announce deals and plans worth more than €3 billion, including partnerships with Belgium on air defence and Britain on naval ships.
NATO also plans to announce it will replace its ageing fleet of U.S.-built AWACS surveillance aircraft with a Swedish alternative, Saab’s GlobalEye, four sources told Reuters last week.
Canada on Monday announced it had selected Germany’s TKMS to build up to 12 submarines for its navy, preferring it over a rival bid from non-NATO member South Korea.
(With inputs from Reuters)
