NATO’s procurement arm is under fire after multiple nations launched coordinated investigations into alleged corruption involving military contracts, bribes, and procurement fraud.
Law enforcement agencies in Luxembourg, Belgium, the Netherlands, Spain, Italy, and the United States have conducted raids and arrests tied to alleged misconduct by current and former staff at the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA), headquartered in Luxembourg.
According to NATO officials, the internal investigation began at NSPA’s headquarters and has since expanded with the support of Eurojust, the EU’s agency for cross-border criminal justice coordination. NATO spokeswoman Allison Hart confirmed that “NATO – including the NSPA – is working closely with law enforcement to ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice.”
The investigation centers on allegations that NSPA personnel may have abused their positions to illicitly enrich themselves. Belgian authorities revealed the probe involves irregularities in awarding high-value defense contracts for military equipment including ammunition and drones. Investigators are also examining claims that confidential information was leaked to defense firms and used to influence contracts.
So far, two individuals have been arrested in Belgium and three more in the Netherlands. Among them is a former Dutch Defense Ministry official, detained at Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport, accused of accepting bribes in exchange for steering contracts in 2023.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte acknowledged the situation during a press conference in Ankara, stating that the alliance is cooperating fully with national authorities and committed to identifying those responsible. “We want to get to the root of this,” he said.
The scandal comes at a sensitive time for NATO, as member states ramp up defense spending and supply chains for weapons—particularly amid ongoing support for Ukraine’s war effort. The European Commission recently proposed an €800 billion plan to strengthen the EU’s defense posture, raising concerns that corruption could jeopardize procurement integrity.
As the investigation continues, NATO faces growing pressure to demonstrate accountability and reinforce transparency in its operations. More arrests or revelations could follow as prosecutors examine financial records and contractual arrangements across the alliance.