Mark Rutte at NATO-Industry Forum: Strengthening Defense Capabilities

The Critical Role of Defense Industry

• 💡 Strong defense is impossible without a robust defense industry, which serves as the industrial component of deterrence and defense.
• 🎯 NATO leaders committed to investing 5% of GDP in defense by 2035, recognizing this as serious money needed to ensure safety.
• ⚠️ The threats are real and lasting, exemplified by Russia's unprovoked war against Ukraine and its collaboration with China, North Korea, and Iran to undermine global rules.

Strategic Imperatives and Investment

• 💰 While cash is increasing from European allies and Canada, the focus must be on acquiring real capabilities like equipment, firepower, and advanced technology.
• 🚀 NATO aims to outfight and outproduce adversaries, echoing President Roosevelt's call for "peace through strength" from 1942.
• ✅ Decisions from the NATO summit in The Hague are being turned into action, requiring open dialogue between NATO and industry to deliver on these commitments.

Driving Defense Innovation and Production

• 📈 Quantity is key, demanding increased production and shortened delivery times for state-of-the-art systems, including ammunition, air defense, and drone interceptors.
• 🧠 Creativity and innovation are vital, with NATO encouraging industry to use its platforms like the Defense Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA) and the NATO Innovation Fund for deep tech dual-use startups.
• 🤝 Cooperation across 32 NATO countries, the EU, Ukraine, and Indo-Pacific partners is essential to combine efforts, increase innovation, and boost production.

Adapting to the Evolving Nature of Warfare

• ⚡ The pace of change in warfare is unprecedented, with new technologies and tactics evolving in months or weeks, as seen on the battlefield in Ukraine.
• 🔄 NATO and industry must embrace continuous adaptation, scaling up for mass production of quick and affordable solutions while simultaneously developing advanced ones.
• 🔬 Success requires out-innovating adversaries faster, using real field experiments and a rational, science-based approach to integrate new technology and develop new tactics.

A Call for Industry Action

• 🤝 Industry is urged to take business risks, step up supply, and expand production lines, as the political will, money, and demand for defense are present.
• 📈 There are great business opportunities and a "defense dividend" leading to more security, economic growth, and jobs.
• 🌍 Working together, NATO and industry can deliver a safer and more prosperous future for all.