NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has called on member states to significantly increase defense production, warning that higher output is vital to sustain effective deterrence in a rapidly evolving global security landscape.
Speaking at a joint press conference in Prague with Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis, Rutte highlighted a growing range of geopolitical challenges, citing threats from Russia, China, North Korea, and Iran.
He pointed to decisions made at last year’s NATO summit in The Hague, where allies agreed to raise defense spending, stressing that increased investment must be matched by expanded industrial capacity.
Rutte also praised a Czech-led initiative supplying ammunition to Ukraine, describing it as a practical success. According to him, more than four million rounds have already been delivered, with further contributions needed to maintain momentum.
Prime Minister Babis reaffirmed the Czech Republic’s commitment to meeting NATO targets, despite ongoing discussions over how defense expenditures are measured against GDP. He said Prague is developing a revised defense strategy focused on modern warfare technologies, particularly drones, drawing lessons from recent conflicts.
Babis noted that drone warfare has become a defining feature in contemporary military engagements, referencing developments in Ukraine and the Middle East.
He also revealed that US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is expected to attend a NATO foreign ministers’ meeting in Sweden in May, describing the gathering as strategically important.
Earlier in the day, Rutte held talks in Brussels with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, where discussions centred on strengthening cooperation between NATO and the European Union, expanding defense production, and sustaining support for Ukraine.
Following the meeting, Rutte emphasized that a stronger European defense capability would reinforce the broader NATO alliance.
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