NATO announces major transport and surveillance fleet upgrades at Ankara summit

Published Jul 8, 10:00 AM UTC

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At the NATO summit in Ankara, Secretary General Mark Rutte announced a significant upgrade to the Alliance's transport and surveillance capabilities. Plans include launching a new strategic transport fleet composed of A400M aircraft and expanding the existing A330 MRTT tanker/transport fleet by one aircraft. Additionally, NATO intends to acquire up to five Northrop Grumman MQ-4C Triton high-altitude surveillance drones, marking the first purchase of this type by the Alliance. A letter of intent for the Triton purchase was signed by Norway, Finland, Germany, and Denmark. These drones will supplement the current RQ-4D Phoenix fleet stationed at Sigonella Air Base in Italy. Rutte also announced plans to purchase 10 Saab GlobalEye reconnaissance aircraft to replace the aging AWACS early warning fleet. The summit is accompanied by a defense industry forum.

Source report

ANKARA — NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte announced a series of significant procurement initiatives during the NATO summit in Ankara, which is being held alongside a defense industry forum.

Key Procurement Plans

A330 MRTT Fleet Expansion

The existing fleet of A330 MRTT tanker and transport aircraft will be expanded by one additional aircraft.

MQ-4C Triton Drones

The allies intend to acquire up to five Northrop Grumman MQ-4C Triton high-altitude surveillance drones. Norway, Finland, Germany, and Denmark have signed a letter of intent regarding this purchase. This would mark NATO's first acquisition of Triton drones, supplementing the current fleet of RQ-4D Phoenix intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) drones already operated by the Alliance. These existing drones are stationed at Sigonella Air Base in Sicily, Italy.

Saab GlobalEye Aircraft

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

By Patryk Jagnieża 7 July 2026, 11:15

Source

Defence24.comWestern

Original headline: NATO is upgrading its transport fleet

Original language: EN

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