NATO update

 

16 February 2026 Update NATO Secretary General hails “shift in mindset” in Allied deterrence and defence On 12 February 2026, following a meeting of NATO Defence Ministers, Secretary General Mark Rutte praised Allied nations for progress made toward investing 5% of GDP in defence. He welcomed the growing determination with which Allies are taking increased ownership of their collective security. Read more Secretary General in Munich: NATO is strongest since end of the Cold War Secretary General Mark Rutte attended the Munich Security Conference on 13-14 February 2026. During the conference, Mr Rutte stressed the importance of a strong Europe within NATO and continued support to Ukraine. Read more European Allies to take on new leadership roles in NATO’s Command Structure On 6 February 2026, Allies agreed on a new distribution of senior officer responsibility across the NATO Command Structure in which European Allies, including NATO’s newest members, will play a more prominent role in the Alliance’s military leadership. Read more NATO Secretary General outlines new activity - Arctic Sentry - ahead of Defence Ministers meeting On 11 February 2026, ahead of a meeting of Allied Defence Ministers at NATO headquarters, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte set out plans for a new multi-domain activity – Arctic Sentry – to bolster security in the Arctic and High North. Read more Arctic Sentry to enhance NATO's presence in the Arctic and the High North Allied Command Operations began Arctic Sentry today. The multi-domain activity will further strengthen NATO’s posture in the Arctic and High North as persistent NATO presence in the region grows. (Story courtesy of Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe) Read more NATO Allies launch new multinational capability cooperation initiatives, expand existing projects On 12 February 2026, NATO Allies took further steps to enhance deterrence and defence through multinational cooperation and the development of cost-effective, innovative solutions.  Read more NATO’s Special Representative for the Southern Neighbourhood wraps-up his first official visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia The NATO Secretary General’s Special Representative for the Southern Neighbourhood, Javier Colomina, paid his first official visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, from 10 to 11 February 2026. Read more NATO STO launches third annual challenge for women and girls in science NATO Science and Technology Organization (STO) launches the Women and Girls in Science Challenge (WGS), inviting young women and girls from across NATO countries to imagine the future and help shape global security. Read more Steadfast Dart 26: NATO Demonstrates Maritime Readiness and Strategic Mobility The entry of NATO naval forces involved in STEADFAST DART 26 into Kiel, on Wednesday, Feb. 11. 2026, marks a decisive phase of the exercise. (Story courtesy of Allied Joint Force Command Brunssum) Read more NATO Operation Sea Guardian Focused Operation strengthens maritime security in the Eastern Mediterranean NATO successfully conducted the first Operation Sea Guardian Focused Operation of the year in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea. Led by the Turkish flagship TCG Gaziantep, the operation strengthened maritime situational awareness, deterrence, and cooperation among Allied and Partner forces. (Story courtesy of Allied Maritime Command) Read more Behind the Uniform - Meet Spanish K9 Lucas K-9 Lucas is a 4-year-old Belgian Malinois and an integral part of the Spanish Army Special Operations Command.  (Story courtesy of Allied Joint Force Command Brunssum) Read more

NATO HQ, Blvd Leopold III 1110 Brussels, Belgium