NATO allies announced a series of high-value defence procurement deals ahead of US President Donald Trump’s arrival for the alliance summit in Ankara, Turkey. The announcements were framed as steps to strengthen NATO’s military capabilities.
The summit is being held in Ankara by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, a military cooperation bloc that includes the United States and several European countries.
The new commitments come after Trump recently described NATO as a weak organisation overly dependent on American weapons. In response, European allies highlighted fresh purchases aimed at modernising key platforms.
According to the announcements, 10 countries agreed to buy 10 advanced surveillance aircraft from Sweden’s Saab to replace NATO’s decades-old planes. Separately, 15 countries agreed to procure new refuelling and transport aircraft from Airbus, while four countries signed up to buy five Triton drones to boost maritime surveillance.
However, reports said the moves did not fully impress Trump. Commenting on the developments, he said their money was not important and that what he needed was their loyalty.
