Groundbreaking Ceremony Inaugurates Construction of 2 NSPA Administrative Buildings

Luxembourg's Ministry of Mobility and Public Works and the Directorate of Defence have reported that the groundbreaking ceremony to inaugurate the construction of two administrative buildings for the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) headquarters in Capellen took place on Tuesday 26 March 2024.

The ceremony was led by Luxembourg's Minister for Defence and Minister for Mobility and Public Works, Yuriko Backes, together with NSPA General Manager, Stacy Cummings.

This construction is part of the Strategic Infrastructure Programme, a multi-phased construction and modernisation programme stretching over the next few years and aimed at developing the infrastructure of the NSPA's facilities in Luxembourg, to support the agency's growth and make the site more environmentally friendly. The programme will address three key priorities: occupational health and safety, future growth and capacity, and security. The two administrative buildings will accommodate up to 780 people.

As host nation to NSPA since 1968, Luxembourg will invest more than €200 million to finance two thirds of the Strategic Infrastructure Programme. The remainder of the total investment of over €350 million will be financed by the other NATO Allies.

Minister Backes emphasised the important role of NSPA for NATO and Luxembourg: "With geopolitical tensions on the rise, we, as NATO Allies, must reinforce our deterrence and defence posture. To reach that goal, we need to build up capabilities that will strengthen the Alliance. This is precisely where the [NATO Support and Procurement] Agency and its expertise come in play. By supporting us in procuring and maintaining capabilities, NSPA is a strategic enabler for Luxembourg's contribution to NATO's common effort."

"Capellen has served as NSPA's headquarters for over six decades. Throughout this time, the Agency has diligently maintained and enhanced the site while simultaneously expanding its scope and workforce," stated Stacy Cummings. "We now boast an overall workforce of over 1,500 employees, of which about 1,000 are based in Luxembourg, and we continue to grow. Luxembourg's dedication to the enhancement and modernisation of our facilities is deeply valued. With the generous support of our host nation, we are poised to ensure that the programme progresses smoothly and remains on budget and on schedule."