TURKEY'S DEFENSE INDUSTRY TOWNING NATO AND EUROPEAN MARKETS
Turkey remains a dependable ally in NATO, according to defense official statements.
Turkey, a key NATO partner, reinforces its strategic role by contributing to the alliance beyond its alignment through indigenous capability development and technological innovations, as highlighted by the head of Turkish Secretariat of Defense Industries (SSB), Haluk Görgün.
The Turkish defense industry recorded an impressive $7.1 billion in exports in 2024—a 29% year-on-year increase. Notably, more than half of these exports were destined for NATO allies and Ukraine, reflecting Turkey's reliability and strategic importance as a defense partner.
Görgün noted that the SSB currently manages over 1,100 active procurement and research and development (R&D) programs, placing Turkey as the world's largest defense industry program management authority.
The Council of the European Union recently established SAFE, a new financial instrument worth €150 billion to support member states investing in the defense industry. Görgün expressed hope that this initiative would further deepen defense industry cooperation between the EU and Turkey.
Turkey's cooperation in the defense industry is not limited to NATO; it also collaborates with European countries on a bilateral level. One significant example is Turkey's participation in the production of the A400M military transport aircraft alongside six European countries, symbolizing Europe's goal of achieving independent operational capability.
With Turkey's intention to strengthen its part in European defense initiatives, such as the EU's SAFE plan, and its collaboration with Spain in HÜRJET military training programs, the country is aiming to forge closer ties with European partners.
Turkey's defense industry is poised to expand further into the global market, leveraging geopolitical tensions and anticipating continued growth. Strategic investments and partnerships, such as the acquisition of Italy's Piaggio Aerospace by Turkish drone manufacturer Baykar, are expected to bolster Turkey's standing in the global arms market.
The industry's expansion is driven by the increasing demand for conventional munitions and defense technologies resulting from global conflicts. Stronger alliances with both NATO and EU nations could enhance Turkey's strategic position and economic benefits through defense exports. Nevertheless, maintaining political stability, investing in R&D, and addressing the infrastructure needed to meet the rising demand for Turkish defense products remain critical challenges.
Sources:[1] https://www.defenceturkey.com/[2] https://www.nature.com/articles/s41536-021-00611-x[3] https://www.sipri.org/sites/default/files/2023-01/SIPRI_Military_Expenditure_Database_2022_ChartBook.pdf
In light of Turkey's strategic role in the global defense industry, the general news might cover discussions at the Council of the European Union about the new financial instrument SAFE, worth €150 billion, which aims to boost investment in the defense industry among member states. This could potentially deepen the defense industry cooperation between the EU and Turkey.
In the realm of politics, the growing relationships between Turkey and European countries in defense initiatives, such as its collaboration with Spain in HÜRJET military training programs, suggest a concerted effort by Turkey to forge closer ties with European partners. This could have significant implications for the competitive landscape of the general-news arena, as Turkey positions itself as a key player in the European defense market.
