For the first time this century, a high-level gathering of NATO industrialists is taking place in the UK, in Portsmouth, the home of the Royal Navy, from 23-25 June 2026.
Coming two weeks prior to a crucial NATO summit in Ankara, the NATO Industrial Advisory Group (NIAG) Portsmouth plenary meeting will be a key opportunity for this group to discuss and debate the industrial challenges facing NATO in light of the ongoing war in Ukraine and the increasing threat posed to Europe by Russia.
The theme of the Portsmouth plenary is ‘Readiness and Resilience – Together’. This reflects the UK’s ‘NATO First’ policy and recognises the need for an effective partnership between industry and the military if the UK, at a national level, is to successfully deter, and if necessary, defend against Russia. As President Zelensky warns: “Ukraine’s today is NATO’s tomorrow.”
The Portsmouth plenary will address key issues such as agreeing ways to increase defence industrial production capacity, build up war-ready stockpiles and deliver battle-winning capabilities that NATO’s armed forces need today and tomorrow.
An industry day sits alongside the NIAG plenary and provides UK industry with the opportunity to showcase the innovation that sits at the heart of the UK’s defence base – including academia, companies big and small, traditional and non-traditional defence suppliers – and through collaboration with the armed forces.
Head of the UK NIAG delegation and host for the event, Sir Stuart Atha, said:
“The NIAG is NATO’s industrial voice and conscience. Therefore, the priority for the Portsmouth plenary is to make sure that the lessons from Ukraine relevant to industry are addressed. There is no defence without industry and we need increased investment in NATO’s industrial base to make it ready and resilient to the threat Russia poses. History, recent and distant, teaches us that to avoid war we must prepare for it.
“The industry day will be an exciting opportunity to demonstrate how the innovative UK Defence Industrial Base contributes to both the security and prosperity of NATO and its member nations.”
Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry Luke Pollard MP said:
“Britain is at the top table of NATO’s industrial agenda, hosting the NATO Industrial Advisory Group and bringing together big defence firms, SMEs, academia and innovators from across the Alliance.
“We’re not waiting to be told how NATO should arm itself. We’re in the room shaping the answer. We are proud to host this meeting in Portsmouth, a historic city for defence and the home of the Royal Navy. Defence spending isn’t just about security – it’s an engine for growth, driving jobs and innovation in communities across the country.”
