European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen participated in a panel discussion at the NATO Summit Defence Industry Forum on 7 July 2026, where she addressed EU defence priorities and industry cooperation. The event, hosted by NATO, brought together defence leaders to discuss transatlantic industrial collaboration and investment in defence capabilities.
Von der Leyen's interventions focused on the EU's role in strengthening the European defence industrial base, building on recent EU initiatives such as the European Defence Fund and the Act in Support of Ammunition Production. She emphasised the need for closer EU-NATO cooperation to address capability gaps and boost joint procurement, echoing commitments made at previous NATO summits. The panel discussion also covered topics like innovation, supply chain resilience, and the importance of scaling up defence production to meet evolving security threats.
The President's participation underscores the EU's growing engagement with NATO on defence industrial matters, particularly in the context of the war in Ukraine and heightened security concerns across Europe. No specific new announcements or funding figures were disclosed during the session.