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Turkey and Italy to Enhance Defense Collaboration, accelerate Trade Relations

Turkey and Italy plan to deepen defense sector collaborations through fresh initiatives, simultaneously bolstering bilateral trade, according to the heads of the two nations following their meeting.

,   and  ASMedia
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Turkey and Italy will further fortify their military technology collaboration via fresh...
Turkey and Italy will further fortify their military technology collaboration via fresh initiatives, simultaneously enhancing their mutual trade, as per the heads of both nations, following their meeting.

Turkey and Italy to Enhance Defense Collaboration, accelerate Trade Relations

Turkey and Italy Amplify Defense Cooperation and Trade

In recent times, the defense sectors of Turkey and Italy have been working together on shared ventures, particularly in the production of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and broader defense collaboration.

The latest round of discussions between Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni at Villa Doria Pamphili, Rome, emphasized the continued strengthening of defense industry ties between the two nations. They also aimed to boost their reciprocal trade, as reported by Reuters.

"We're gonna keep beefing up our defense industry partnership with Italy, which has made impressive strides, by creating fresh alliances and launching projects," Erdogan told journalists in a joint press conference.

Notably, in March of this year, Baykar, Turkey's leading drone manufacturer, and Leonardo, Italy's largest defense firm, announced a joint venture to produce UAVs, a move Meloni deemed "significant." This partnership utilizes the collective strengths of both countries' defense sectors to seize promising market opportunities, especially in Europe.

In addition to defense collaborations, the two leaders set a new annual trade target of an astonishing $40 billion. Meloni stressed the presence of over 400 Italian companies operating in Turkey and the $32 billion trade achieved last year.

Following their meeting, ministers from both countries exchanged memorandums to cover various sectors, with a business forum being conducted simultaneously at a nearby hotel, involving companies from both countries.

In late 2024, Baykar purchased Italy’s Piaggio Aerospace, marking a significant step towards deeper industrial integration between the two nations in aerospace and defense technology. This strategic move was part of a broader strategy to strengthen bilateral defense ties in response to evolving regional conflicts and geopolitical shifts[3][5].

Turkey’s ongoing regional conflicts, along with the current security environment shaped by the Russia-Ukraine war, have increased the need for additional defense capabilities and closer industry ties[3]. This renewed cooperation comes after a period of friction related to Turkey’s exclusion from the F-35 program and restrictions on military exports from some European countries[3].

Read Also: Turkish FM meets Hamas delegation for second time in a week to discuss Gaza ceasefire efforts

  1. At the press conference following their meeting, the prime minister emphasized the ongoing strengthening of Turkey's defense industry partnership with Italy.
  2. The prime minister praised the report of a significant joint venture between Baykar and Leonardo to produce UAVs, highlighting the potential it offers in seizing European market opportunities.
  3. Meloni and Erdogan announced a new annual trade target of $40 billion, with an aim to increase the presence of Italian companies in Turkey.
  4. The leaders exchanged memorandums to cover various sectors and held a business forum to encourage bilateral trade and investment.
  5. The meeting coincides with a long-term strategy to deepen industrial integration between Turkey and Italy in the fields of aerospace and defense technology.
  6. The continuing regional conflicts in Gaza and the changing geopolitical landscape have necessitated additional defense capabilities and closer industry ties, as acknowledged by both countries.
  7. In an attempt to mitigate regional conflicts, the Turkish foreign minister recently held a meeting with a Hamas delegation to discuss ceasefire efforts.
  8. Additionally, the Russia-Ukraine war has contributed to a higher demand for defensive capabilities, as European countries attempt to fortify their security.
  9. The United Nations and other world leaders have been closely monitoring the political situation in Gaza, with hopes for a peaceful resolution and sustainable economic growth in the region through strengthened global cooperation.

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