A News Agency

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte made a statement during the NATO Summit held in Ankara.

Rutte said that investments in the defense industry are increasing, but stressed that not only military production but also other industrial sectors must be developed so they can support defense when necessary.

“We are investing in the defense industry. And not only in the defense industry; we also need to strengthen other industrial sectors so that they can support defense whenever necessary,” Rutte said.

Addressing developments in the global security environment, Rutte stated that China continues to modernize its armed forces and expand its nuclear capabilities without transparency. “China is modernizing its armed forces and continues to expand its nuclear capabilities without any transparency. North Korea is also continuing to expand its nuclear program and support Russia,” he said.

The NATO Secretary General emphasized that current threats make it imperative for the Alliance to build a stronger defense infrastructure. “This is the reality we face. To meet these challenges, we need a defense industrial revolution on a transatlantic scale. The industrial machine that is operating today must now produce at full capacity,” he said.

Rutte stated that governments should provide confidence to the sector through long-term orders and contracts and that greater public and private investment in defense is needed.

Highlighting the importance of reliable energy sources, resilient supply chains, and a skilled workforce for sustainable defense production, Rutte noted that engineers, technicians, and innovative talent play a critical role in this process.