As an independent consultancy with deep expertise across defence, space, maritime and homeland security sectors, EUDIMA attended this pivotal gathering focused on transforming NATO’s defence industrial base and winning what Secretary General Rutte termed “this new war of production.”

The Forum provided an exceptional platform for engaging with NATO officials, Allied nation representatives, defence industry leaders, and European Union stakeholders on the Alliance’s most pressing industrial and capability challenges.

The event featured critical announcements and discussions on Alliance defence industrial transformation:

Secretary General’s Call to Action: Secretary General Mark Rutte delivered a powerful message calling on NATO Allies, partners and industry to “unite, innovate and deliver” to ensure the Alliance is able to “win this new war of production.” This framing underscored the urgency of transforming defence industrial capacity in response to the current security environment.

Transatlantic Defence Partnership: Joined onstage by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Secretary General Rutte welcomed the EU’s Readiness 2030 plan that promises to unleash up to 800 billion euros for defence. The discussion emphasized removing barriers to transatlantic defence cooperation—a critical priority for enhancing Allied industrial capacity.

Throughout the Forum, discussions centered on critical priorities for NATO’s defence industrial future:

• Industrial Readiness: Scaling production capacity across the Alliance to meet urgent capability requirements
• Transatlantic Cooperation: Strengthening EU-NATO industrial collaboration and removing barriers to cooperation
• Defence Investment: Mobilizing resources, including the EU’s 800 billion euro commitment, to transform defence industrial capacity
• Innovation and Delivery: Accelerating the path from technology development to operational deployment
• Supply Chain Resilience: Building robust, secure defence industrial supply chains
• Ukraine Support: Sustaining industrial production to support Ukraine’s defence
• Strategic Competition: Adapting defence industrial strategy to long-term great power competition

With our specialized expertise in funding strategy, dual-use infrastructure, and cross-border programme delivery, EUDIMA gained valuable insights into:

• Emerging funding mechanisms and investment strategies for defence industrial transformation
• Opportunities for dual-use technology integration across Allied nations
• Challenges and solutions in multi-national defence programme delivery
• The evolving landscape of EU-NATO defence industrial cooperation

The Forum reinforced that moving from planning to execution is critical—the Alliance and its industrial partners must deliver at scale and speed.

EUDIMA remains committed to supporting this transformation through our expertise in funding strategy, dual-use infrastructure, and navigating complex multi-national defence programmes.

We extend our appreciation to NATO and the event organizers for convening this critical dialogue at a pivotal moment for Allied defence and security.