NATO: Rutte calls for increased defense production in Europe and the USA

Speaking at the Euronews Defense & Space Summit 2026, in underlining how necessary it is to increase European and American defense production, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte emphasized the fact that «at the moment the problem is that we don't produce enough. Let's look at Ukraine. We have the Aster 30 from Italy and France, fantastic systems. We have American Patriot systems. But - added the number one of the Atlantic Alliance - both are not produced in sufficient quantities".

Ask the Sun

In-depth questions generated by 24Ore AI

Questions are automatically suggested by 24Ore AI

based on the content displayed.

Advanced missile systems

The Aster 30 (and more precisely the Aster family of missiles) are advanced surface-to-air and surface-to-air missile systems of European production, developed by the Eurosam consortium (composed of MBDA and Thales).

Loading...

Medium-long range air defense

They are designed for medium-long range air defense, capable of intercepting a wide range of threats at high speed and precision, including fighters, drones, cruise missiles and short/medium range ballistic missiles.

The difference between model 15 and 30

The name "30" indicates the long-range version, equipped with a large booster which gives it a very extended range of action (over 120 kilometres) and high interception altitudes (up to around 20 km), compared to the more compact Aster 15 (used for medium range).

The maneuverability

They exploit a combination of inertial guidance with radar data update in the initial/intermediate flight phase and an active radio frequency radar seeker in the terminal phase. Thanks to PIF-PAF technology (a lateral propulsion system combined with normal aerodynamic flight plans), they can perform extremely violent turns and evade evasive maneuvers of targets.