Addressing participants, the Secretary General stressed the importance of cooperation with industry, stating, “Whether you are now here from large companies or from small start-ups, NATO needs you.” He added that engagement with industry is “an absolute priority” as the Alliance seeks expertise and innovation to address what he described as “the real and growing danger posed by drones”.
Rutte highlighted recent incidents in which drones entered Allied airspace in countries including Denmark, Poland, Romania, Lithuania and Belgium, noting the disruption caused to critical infrastructure and airports. “Drones are here to stay. Growing in quantity, growing in quality”, he warned, adding that “if there is one clear lesson we are learning from Ukraine … and particularly from recent incursions into Allied airspace, it’s that we need to be able to respond to this threat and we must be prepared.”
He outlined NATO’s response, including investment decisions agreed by Allies, new air-defence initiatives along the eastern flank, and the launch of a Counter-UAS Package of Measures to speed up delivery of capabilities. Calling on industry to increase output, he urged companies to “increase your supply and expand your production”, underlining that NATO and its Allies “need this for our security now” and in the years ahead.
