NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte visits France
Speaking at the Airbus Top Executive Forum, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte emphasized the shared goal of ensuring security and prosperity across all NATO nations. Following his address, Mr Rutte held a bilateral meeting with CEO Mr Faury and his team, and visited the A321 Final Assembly Line, interacting with Airbus employees. The visit underscores NATO’s commitment to fostering transatlantic industrial cooperation to deliver critical capabilities for the years to come.
NATO welcomes new Supreme Allied Commander Europe
General Alexus G. Grynkewich of the United States Air Force assumed command of Allied Command Operations in a ceremony at NATO - Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) in Mons, Belgium on Friday. General Grynkewich succeeds General Chris Cavoli of the US Army , who had been in post since 2022.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte commended General Cavoli for modernising NATO’s collective defence and for his work responding to the ongoing Russian full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Mr Rutte welcomed General Grynkewich, noting that he brings a wealth of experience to the post of Supreme Allied Commander Europe.
NATO releases Updated Defence Production Action Plan, Commercial Space Strategy and Rapid Adoption Action Plan
NATO Defence Ministers recently approved three key initiatives to strengthen readiness and innovation across the Alliance:
Exercise BALTOPS 25 concludes in Kiel, Germany
Sixteen NATO Allies took part in exercise BALTOPS 25. The 20-day exercise, which included more than 40 ships, 25 aircraft, and approximately 9,000 personnel, was an opportunity for the NATO Alliance to train and demonstrate its warfighting capability, layered defense, and strength of its partnerships in the Baltic Region. (Story courtesy of MC1 Cameron C. Edy)
NATO appoints new Chief Scientist
This week, Mr Steen Søndergaard began his term as NATO Chief Scientist. With more than 30 years of experience, he brings extensive expertise to this strategic role. He will continue the legacy of delivering timely evidence-based advice to NATO senior leadership in order to inform the Alliance’s defence planning, policy- and decision-making.
Sweden and Denmark bolster NATO air mobility
Sweden and Denmark formally joined the Multinational Multi Role Tanker Transport Unit (MMU) on 25 June 2025 during the NATO Summit in The Hague, strengthening strategic air mobility across the Alliance. With their accession, the MMU now comprises eight partner nations, enabling the expansion of its Airbus A330 MRTT fleet to twelve aircraft by 2029. A new Forward Operating Base in Denmark is also scheduled, enhancing support for northern NATO members. (Story courtesy of Allied Air Command Public Affairs Office)
NATO to participate at World Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan
NATO will participate in the 2025 edition of the World Expo in Japan. Taking place in Osaka, Kansai, the theme for this year’s Expo is “Designing Future Society for Our Lives”, with the sub-themes of “Saving Lives”, “Empowering Lives” and “Connecting Lives”. This landmark event is expected to welcome over 28 million visitors, making it one of the largest global gatherings after the FIFA World Cup and the Olympic Games.
Job of the week
Want to play an important role in enhancing NATO’s relations with partners in Western Balkans, the Caucasus and Central Asia? The Political Affairs and Security Policy Division is looking for a new Deputy Assistant Secretary General for Partnerships.
Requirements:
More stories from the week ↓
Hull / Structure / CCS (NO96) Supervisor - New Building & Repair
2mohe is really clairvoyant
Rolbatch technical director, Co-Founder w Rolbatch Laabs Academy, Marine and Ocean Protection Technologies , Axtora Energy Co-Founder and technical director Optimizing Energy Costs, Co-Founder w Laabs Art Gallery
2moNATO The Secretary General’s visit to Toulouse underscores NATO’s growing recognition that a resilient private sector is integral to collective security. If Airbus and the A400M are flagship examples of trans-Atlantic cooperation in the air, why not extend that logic to the sea where a single oil spill can cripple ports and fleet logistics within hours? AquaGuard is an off-the-shelf preventive solution: an ultra-light non-woven fabric that absorbs oil in seconds and stays afloat. Imagine every NATO support vessel, fleet oiler, or maritime patrol asset carrying a container of AquaGuard. The Alliance would gain an environmental shield that deploys instantly well before specialist teams can reach the scene. A strong defense industry today is not only about missiles and radar; it also includes technologies that protect the ocean’s “lungs” and keep supply hubs operational. With Allies now aiming for 5 % of GDP on defense, a portion of that funding should back tools that secure operations before the spill, not after the headlines. We’re ready to share test data and fleet-level deployment scenarios. One conversation is all it takes to turn security declarations into a practical, immediate response capability.
Retired
2moWith regards to the Airbus A321, it is capable in moving small units around in Europe. However, they don’t meet the requirements of Canada, nor long distance allies such as Australia, Japan, New Zealand and South Korea. With these countries have vast distances to travel and must substantially increase the numbers of military passengers they can carry. For that duty they require the Airbus A380-800 or more current Airbus variants, or another manufacturer, which can carry 800 troops in a single lift. 5 of these long haulers would be able to transport the ‘lion’s share’ of a mechanized infantry brigade in a single lift and return to Canada or other long distance nations. That means no refueling a passenger aircraft flying out of Vancouver or Victoria, BC until they reach their European destination. Now there are some or used to be some available A380-800’s that are in supposedly in good condition. Maybe there are other non-US manufacturers that could meet this requirement. What is further needed to accompany the troops is a large cargo carrying aircraft from Airbus that can armoured vehicles, trucks, artillery, mobile hospitals, tens, supplies, fuel, munitions, food, water, etc.
retired
2moWaarom worden er weer twee Amerikanen benoemd voor Europa, terwijl het toch Trumps bedoeling is dat Europa de eigen broek gaat ophouden?
Ali Messadi Chairman / The African Organization for Security and Information "AOSI" Donations Coordinator MiR Gabès-Tunisia O.R.S.A. onlus
2moIn my opinion... NATO Secretary General Mr Mark Rutte is visiting France to strengthen cooperation between NATO and the French defense industry, particularly in the context of the war in Ukraine and security challenges in Europe. This visit is exceptional given the importance NATO attaches to France's role and the need to strengthen defense capabilities in the face of current security challenges.