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The Secretary General's Annual Report 2025

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The Secretary General's Annual Report highlights NATO's key milestones and achievements in 2025.

Foreword

Mark Rutte, NATO Secretary General

"Allied defence spending and production must rise rapidly, our armed forces must have what they need to keep us safe, and Ukraine must have what it needs to defend itself - now. Our governments, parliaments, and our citizens have to be in this together. So that we can continue to protect peace, freedom, and prosperity."
- Mark Rutte, NATO Secretary General

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NATO flag and 32 national flags aloft. Brussels, Belgium

NATO IN 2025: A STRONGER ALLIANCE

Take a look back at NATO’s key milestones in 2025: the events, exercises and decisions that show how Allies are stepping up.

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Italian marines with the Italian Navy’s San Marco Brigade trudge through the snow during a live-fire training near Harstad, Norway, as part of exercise Nordic Response 24. Norway, February 2024.
Italian Army paratroopers prepare to move out during exercise Swift Response 24. Sweden, May 2024

A STEADFAST ALLIANCE: DETERRENCE AND DEFENCE ACROSS ALL DOMAINS

NATO’s deterrence and defence posture is based on an appropriate mix of nuclear, conventional and missile defence capabilities, complemented by space and cyber capabilities. It is defensive, proportionate and fully in line with Allies' international commitments.

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A READY ALLIANCE: RESILIENCE AND CIVIL PREPAREDNESS

Resilience is both a national responsibility and a collective commitment rooted in Article 3 of the North Atlantic Treaty. Each NATO Ally needs to be resilient against military and non-military threats and challenges to the Alliance’s security, such as natural disasters, disruption of critical infrastructure, and hybrid or armed attacks.

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NATO Maritime Forces enhance readiness in Baltic Sea during Exercise Freezing Winds. Port of Turku, Baltic Sea, November 2024.
A Turkish naval crewman signals to a Seahawk helicopter during exercise Dynamic Manta. Mediterranean Sea, February 2024.

INVESTING FOR STRENGTH: DEFENCE SPENDING IN 2025

The Alliance’s ability to do its job relies on investment to acquire the capabilities it needs. Responding to an increasingly dangerous world, Allies are investing more and more in defence.

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MANUFACTURING SECURITY: CAPABILITIES, PRODUCTION AND INNOVATION

NATO continues to use its unique position to help aggregate Allied demand, increase defence production and deliver cutting-edge capabilities.

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A Finnish Navy crew member beside a row of dummy mines during exercise Freezing Winds 24. Turku, Finland, November 2024.
NATO soldiers observe the Northern Lights during exercise Nordic Response 24. Norway, March 2024.

STALWART IN THE FACE OF AGGRESSION: CONTINUING ALLIED SUPPORT TO UKRAINE

NATO is committed to ensuring that Ukraine has the means to defend itself and can secure an enduring peace for the future. The security and prosperity of Ukraine are not just concerns for Ukrainians, they are concerns for the Alliance and for all Allies.

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NATO soldiers observe the Northern Lights during exercise Nordic Response 24. Norway, March 2024.

PREVENTING INSTABILITY: CRISIS MANAGEMENT

NATO Allies have a shared interest in contributing to stability and managing conflict together. The Alliance continues to work to prevent and respond to crises when these have the potential to affect Allied security.

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SECURITY THROUGH COOPERATION: WORKING WITH PARTNERS

NATO maintains relations with 35 non-member countries and a range of international organisations, known as NATO partners. This partnership network strengthens security outside Allied territory, which makes NATO itself safer.

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Lithuanian Army soldiers training members of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Lithuania, November 2024.
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