Macron pushes European defence boost at NATO summit and SAMP‑T talks

France’s President Emmanuel Macron used the NATO summit in Ankara to announce a series of new European defence initiatives, stressing that the continent is taking greater responsibility for its own security. He said the upcoming Ukraine‑allies summit will showcase joint military exercises, increased defence spending, development of missile‑defence systems, long‑range strike capabilities and deeper cooperation among the roughly 35 "Coalition of the Willing" leaders. Macron also highlighted France’s participation in NATO force rotations in Finland and the broader push for a European defence industrial base.

In a separate briefing, Macron confirmed that technical discussions on the SAMP‑T air‑defence programme continue between France, Turkey and Italy. The programme, jointly developed by France and Italy, aims to counter aircraft, cruise‑missile and limited ballistic‑missile threats. No timetable for a final agreement was given, but the remarks underscored ongoing European collaboration on advanced defence systems despite earlier delays.