IIF podcast examines rise of defense finance amid higher NATO spending
Geopolitical tensions are pushing defense finance from a specialist policy issue into a broader challenge for governments, investors and financial institutions. A new episode of the Institute of International Finance's Current Account explores how rising security commitments are reshaping the funding of defense capabilities, industrial capacity and critical infrastructure.
Highlights
- NATO spending commitments are increasing in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, driving a shift in countries' defense and security financing strategies.
- Private capital is playing a greater role in defense-sector investment, with discussion focusing on how to make defense projects more bankable for investors and lenders.
- The overlap between public policy and capital markets is expanding, positioning defense finance as a mainstream financial concern beyond a narrow policy focus.
Discussion focuses on defense funding shift
As outlined by the Institute of International Finance, the latest Current Account episode features Clay Lowery in discussion with Wendy Gilmour, vice chair of the Conference of Defence Associations Institute and former NATO assistant secretary general for defence investment, and Jakub Karnowski, chief executive of KredoBank. The conversation centers on how countries are financing a new phase of defense and security investment as spending pressures grow.The speakers discuss the effects of Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the expansion of NATO spending commitments. They also examine the role private capital can play in building defense capabilities and expanding industrial capacity tied to security needs.
Financial markets face broader security role
The episode highlights a growing overlap between public policy objectives and capital market participation in the defense sector. A key theme is what makes defense-related projects bankable for investors and lenders as governments seek larger and more durable funding channels.The discussion also looks at what a successful partnership among governments, industry and financial markets could look like in the years ahead. That framing points to defense finance becoming a more established part of mainstream financial decision-making rather than a niche policy debate.
We previously reported on the surge in funding for European defense technology startups as governments ramp up military spending amid the war in Ukraine. The article highlighted Tekever’s $580 million raise that pushed its valuation to $6.4 billion, and explained how the company plans to use the capital to expand internationally and scale AI-powered autonomous systems tied to defense and surveillance needs.
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