NATO Allies launch new project on critical raw materials for defence

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte announced on Tuesday (7 July 2026) the launch of a new multinational High Visibility Project on defence critical raw materials.

The project brings together 12 NATO Allies to work jointly on strengthening the resilience of defence supply chains. It focuses on the acquisition, storage, transport, and management of critical raw materials, components, and recycled products essential for defence production.

Speaking at the NATO Summit Defence Industry Forum in Ankara, the Secretary General underlined the strategic importance of the initiative. "For our defence to remain ready and strong, we need our industrial base and our supply chains to be resilient," he said.

The project reflects Allies' determination to reduce vulnerabilities in strategic supply chains and ensure more secure and stable access to critical materials through closer cooperation.

The 12 Allies participating in the project on critical raw materials for defence are Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, and Türkiye.