A major corruption investigation has been launched targeting the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) amid allegations that confidential information was leaked to defense contractors to influence the awarding of multi-billion-euro military contracts. Authorities in Belgium, Luxembourg, Spain, and the Netherlands are actively pursuing the case, which includes allegations of bribery, insider misconduct, and money laundering.
According to the Belgian federal prosecutor’s office, two suspects were arrested on Monday during searches in the municipality of Bredene in West Flanders. One of the individuals was placed under arrest by court order. NATO has confirmed additional arrests in other countries, though names and companies involved have not been disclosed.
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, speaking during a foreign ministers’ summit in Turkey, confirmed that the arrests stem from an internal investigation initiated by the NSPA. He emphasized NATO’s full cooperation with law enforcement and reaffirmed the alliance’s commitment to transparency and the rule of law. “There is zero tolerance for violations of legal and ethical standards,” Rutte said.
While the scope of financial damage remains unclear, authorities have identified potential offenses including membership in a criminal organization, active and passive corruption, and money laundering. The European Union Agency for Criminal Justice Cooperation (Eurojust) is overseeing the cross-border coordination of the investigation.
The NSPA regularly manages defense procurement contracts worth billions. Recent deals include framework agreements for the supply of artillery ammunition valued at €1.1 billion, and an earlier contract for up to 1,000 Patriot air defense missiles worth $5.5 billion (€4.9 billion).
Investigators have not disclosed which companies may have benefited from the leaked data, and no formal charges against contractors have been announced at this stage.
