NATO Allies Launch Joint Projects for Defence-Critical Raw Materials, Air Tanker Fleet

At the NATO Defence Industry Forum in The Hague on 24 June 2025, NATO Allies signed new multinational defence projects focused on securing defence-critical raw materials, boosting shared air capabilities, and advancing military innovation.

Twelve nations—Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Sweden, Turkey, and the United Kingdom—agreed to jointly acquire, store, transport, and manage raw materials like lithium, titanium, and rare earth elements. This effort supports NATO’s Defence Critical Supply Chain Security Roadmap and aims to reduce external dependence and prevent supply shocks.

The Multinational Multi Role Tanker Transport Fleet (MMF) also expanded. Denmark and Sweden joined the programme, and NATO’s procurement arm, the NSPA, signed a contract with Airbus Defence and Space for two more A330 MRTT aircraft. The shared fleet now totals 12 aircraft, providing air-to-air refuelling, strategic airlift, and aeromedical evacuation.

Six Allies—Estonia, Finland, Italy, Latvia, the Netherlands, and Sweden—announced the first NATO Innovation Ranges to test new technologies in operational conditions. These support NATO’s Rapid Adoption Action Plan, set to be endorsed at the NATO Summit.

NATO also signed a new partnership agreement with Australia, granting access to NSPA activities across logistics, systems support, and acquisition.

Since January 2025, the NSPA has signed framework contracts worth €4.7 billion for munitions sourced from across the Alliance.