AQAP (Allied Quality Assurance Publications) are NATO publications that specify quality assurance requirements for contracts involving the supply of defence-related products and services.
AQAP standards are used in the defence industry and supply chains for weapons, military equipment, components, software and related services. They provide a framework for managing and controlling quality in line with the specific requirements of defence contracts.
Unlike ISO 9001, which applies to organisations across all sectors, AQAP publications focus on quality assurance in the defence sector. Some incorporate the requirements of international quality management standards and supplement them with specific NATO requirements.

Main AQAP Publications
AQAP publications cover different aspects of quality assurance. The selection of applicable requirements depends on the nature of the supply, product complexity, associated risks and the terms of the specific contract.
AQAP-2110 – NATO Quality Assurance Requirements for Design, Development and Production
AQAP-2110 is one of the main publications governing quality management and assurance in defence contracts.
It incorporates the requirements of ISO 9001:2015 applicable to contract performance and supplements them with specific NATO quality assurance requirements.
Key areas include:

• Management of risks associated with contract performance.
• Quality planning and assignment of responsibilities.
• Configuration and change management.
• Control of external providers and outsourced processes.
• Product identification and traceability.
• Quality control, inspections and testing.
• Control of nonconforming outputs and corrective actions.
• Provision of access to relevant information and processes for the Acquirer and the authorised Government Quality Assurance Representative (GQAR).

AQAP-2110 applies to organisations involved in the design, development or production of products for the defence sector when the relevant requirements are included in the contract terms.
AQAP-2310 – NATO Quality Assurance Requirements for Aviation, Space and Defence Suppliers
AQAP-2310 is intended for organisations operating in the aviation, space and defence sectors, including those involved in complex projects and supply contracts.
The publication specifies the applicability of AS/EN 9100 requirements for quality management systems in the aviation, space and defence industries and supplements them with specific NATO requirements.
AQAP-2210 – NATO Supplementary Software Quality Assurance Requirements to AQAP-2110 or AQAP-2310
AQAP-2210 specifies additional requirements for software quality assurance in defence contracts.
The publication supplements AQAP-2110 or AQAP-2310 and covers quality management throughout the software life cycle.
AQAP-2105 – NATO Requirements for Deliverable Quality Plans
AQAP-2105 specifies requirements for the content and management of quality plans developed by suppliers in connection with the performance of a specific contract.
The Quality Plan describes how the applicable contractual requirements will be met by defining processes, activities, responsibilities, resources and control mechanisms.
Where submission of a Quality Plan is a contractual requirement, the Supplier must provide it in accordance with the specified conditions.
AQAP-2131 – NATO Quality Assurance Requirements for Final Inspection and Test
AQAP-2131 specifies quality assurance requirements for the final inspection and testing of products.
It is used in contracts where conformity assessment through final inspections and tests is appropriate, considering the nature of the supply and the identified risks.

Relationship Between AQAP and ISO 9001
ISO 9001 specifies general requirements for quality management systems and can be applied regardless of an organisation's sector, size or activities.
AQAP-2110 builds on this framework by introducing additional requirements related to defence supplies and the fulfilment of contractual obligations.
Organisations with a quality management system implemented in accordance with ISO 9001 can use their existing processes as a basis for applying AQAP-2110. However, they must assess and fulfil the additional requirements, including those relating to contractual risk management, configuration management, supplier control and interaction with the Acquirer.
ISO 9001 certification does not automatically demonstrate conformity with AQAP-2110.

Which Organisations Are AQAP Standards Applicable To?
AQAP standards may apply to:

• Manufacturers of weapons, military equipment and other defence products.
• Companies manufacturing components, assemblies and systems for defence products.
• Organisations engaged in design and development for the defence sector.
• Developers of software and electronic systems for defence applications.
• Suppliers and subcontractors involved in defence contracts.
• Organisations providing repair, modernisation and maintenance services for defence products.

Which AQAP publication applies depends on the organisation's activities and the requirements of the relevant contract.

Are AQAP Standards Mandatory?
AQAP standards do not constitute a general legal requirement for all organisations operating in the defence industry.
AQAP requirements become binding on suppliers when incorporated into contracts, procurement documentation or other applicable conditions.
A distinction must be made between a requirement to conform to a specific AQAP publication and a requirement to hold a certificate. Depending on the contract, the Acquirer may specify how conformity must be demonstrated.
Holding a certificate of conformity with AQAP requirements and fulfilling the requirements of a specific defence contract are related but distinct matters. Even where an organisation holds a certificate, it must still comply with the applicable requirements of the relevant contract.

AQAP Certification
NATO does not operate a single international AQAP certification scheme. Certification conditions and procedures may vary between countries.
In Bulgaria, certification of the quality management systems of manufacturers of defence-related products against AQAP requirements is among the activities assigned by national legislation to the Defence Institute “Professor Tsvetan Lazarov” under the Ministry of Defence.
Certification arrangements, applicable requirements and certificate recognition depend on national rules and the terms of the specific contract.
Separately from certification, the Defence Institute performs Government Quality Assurance (GQA) functions in accordance with applicable NATO agreements and procedures.

What Are the Benefits of Implementing AQAP Requirements?
Implementing AQAP requirements can help organisations to:

• Improve quality management in defence contracts.
• Systematically manage risks and changes.
• Improve control over suppliers and subcontractors.
• Ensure the necessary traceability and documented evidence of conformity.
• Enhance readiness to meet specific contractual requirements.
• Participate in procurement procedures and supply chains where conformity with AQAP requirements is required.

Implementing AQAP requirements can help organisations prepare to work with customers in the defence sector. However, compliance with these requirements does not, in itself, guarantee a contract award or eligibility to participate in a particular procurement procedure.
 

AQAP – NATO Quality Assurance Standards