NATO is upgrading its transport fleet

Additionally, the existing fleet of A330 MRTT tanker and transport aircraft will be expanded by one aircraft. The NATO summit in Ankara is accompanied by a defense industry forum, where the Secretary General delivered a speech. Rutte also announced that the allies intend to acquire up to five Northrop Grumman MQ-4C Triton high-altitude surveillance drones. Norway, Finland, Germany, and Denmark signed a letter of intent regarding this purchase.

This would be the first purchase of Triton drones by NATO. It would supplement the current fleet of RQ-4D Phoenix intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) drones already operated by NATO. These drones are stationed at the Sigonella Air Base in Sicily, Italy.

Rutte also mentioned that the Alliance intends to purchase 10 Saab GlobalEye reconnaissance aircraft to replace the aging fleet of AWACS early warning aircraft.