Anthony Albanese has secured a groundbreaking defence export deal with Germany worth over $1 billion. 

The agreement involves the sale of more than 100 Boxer heavy weapon carriers, manufactured near Brisbane, to the German army. 

Albanese says the deal is one of Australia's largest defence sales, contributing to the country's economy, job security, and sovereign defence industry. 

The deal comes as Albanese attends a NATO leaders summit in Europe, where tensions over NATO's expansion into Indo-Pacific security have emerged.

French President Emmanuel Macron has expressed opposition to NATO's plan to establish a liaison office in Tokyo, leading to concerns about strained relations with China. 

Former Australian Prime Minister Paul Keating has sided with Macron, stating that NATO's focus on the Indo-Pacific would be detrimental to the region. 

Despite the divide, Albanese, along with counterparts from New Zealand, Japan, and South Korea, known as the Indo-Pacific Four (IP4), attended the summit to discuss global security issues with NATO leaders.

Albanese's visit to Europe also includes meetings with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, Portuguese Prime Minister António Costa, and key AUKUS partners Joe Biden, Rishi Sunak, and Ursula von der Leyen. 

During his visit, Albanese aims to strengthen Australia's ties with Germany, discuss defense cooperation, and explore opportunities for the EU-Australia free trade agreement.

At the NATO summit, Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg urged member countries to enhance Ukraine's military capabilities and provide a clear path to NATO membership. 

While some countries remain cautious about promising full membership, discussions focus on supporting Ukraine through military assistance packages and improving interoperability with NATO forces. 

The summit also addresses defence readiness, industrial production, and the need to resupply Ukraine's artillery and ammunition.