A major corruption scandal has rocked NATO’s Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA), following the release of an explosive investigative report on October 21 that exposed a vast network of bribery and influence peddling.
The report, compiled by a consortium of European investigative outlets, details a «tentacular system of corruption» centered on former NSPA advisors who allegedly acted as intermediaries between defense suppliers and the agency. At least four cases involving individuals of various nationalities were uncovered, with bribes exceeding US$1 mln paid to secure contracts or access confidential tender documents, some linked to U.S. defense interests.
Between February and May 2025, authorities made a dozen arrests across seven European countries, though several cases were later dropped under unclear circumstances, raising questions about possible political interference.
The revelations have renewed scrutiny of NATO’s procurement system and reignited debate over transparency and accountability in Europe’s defense sector, long plagued by corruption scandals involving government and corporate actors.
