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NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte praised Turkish-made Bayraktar TB2 unmanned aerial vehicles during a visit to Croatia, saying he was “very impressed” by the drone technology acquired from Türkiye.
Rutte made the remarks while inspecting new aircraft added to the Croatian Air Force inventory alongside Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic.
The equipment included US-made Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters, Turkish-made Bayraktar TB2 drones and French-made Rafale fighter jets.
Speaking at a joint news conference in Zagreb, Rutte said: “This morning, seeing the drone technologies you acquired from Türkiye impressed me greatly,” noting that recent investments have strengthened Croatia’s ability to control its airspace and support NATO allies when needed.
He also recalled a 2022 security incident involving a Russian-made drone that crashed near Zagreb, saying Croatia’s subsequent investments significantly improved airspace security.
Rutte also addressed questions about European plans, led by the UK and Germany, to increase military presence in the Arctic and Greenland.
He said all allies agree on the importance of Arctic security, warning that opening sea routes increase the risk of greater Russian and Chinese activity.
Noting that seven of the eight Arctic countries are NATO members, Rutte said China, while not geographically Arctic, has become increasingly active in the region.
He stressed that NATO allies are holding constructive discussions on how to collectively ensure Arctic security.
“With changing weather patterns opening new sea routes, we must do everything to protect this region,” Rutte said, adding that NATO has become more engaged in the Arctic since 2025 at the request of High North allies.
Rutte rejected claims that US President Donald Trump’s statements on Greenland have triggered a crisis within NATO.
He said allies, including the US, Canada, Denmark and European Arctic countries, are working together on security issues in the High North.
“There is no crisis,” Rutte said, pointing to Denmark’s increased defense investments, including additional F-35 fighter jets, aerial refueling capabilities, P-8 Boeing aircraft and long-range drones.
Croatian Prime Minister Plenkovic echoed the call for dialogue, saying all NATO allies, including the US, must respect one another and that a solution can be found through talks that ensures Greenland remains part of Denmark while addressing security concerns.
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