NATO to strengthen raw material supply chains

NATO has launched a new ‘High Visibility Project’ focused on strengthening access to critical raw materials, to reduce vulnerabilities in defence supply chains.

Announced by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte at the NATO Summit Defence Industry Forum in Ankara, Turkey on 7 July, the project is intended to enhance cooperation between 12 participating NATO allies.

The new project will specifically focus on the acquisition, storage, transport, and management of critical raw materials, components, and recycled products required for defence production.

The NATO allies participating in the project are Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, and Turkey.

“For our defence to remain ready and strong, we need our industrial base and our supply chains to be resilient,” Rutte stated.

NATO’s High Visibility Projects are multinational initiatives designed to support the delivery of key defence capabilities. A total of 38 High Visibility Projects are currently active, covering areas such as ammunition, space technologies, and digital transformation.

The announcement is part of a series of further initiatives unveiled at the NATO forum. This includes USD40 billion to be invested in counter-drone capabilities, and the multinational integration of satellites for defence purposes.