Strategic Momentum: Türkiye’s Rising Defense Profile
As geopolitical uncertainty reshapes European defense priorities, Türkiye’s defense industry is rapidly gaining global recognition. Defense exports rose from $2.3 billion in 2020 to over $7.1 billion in 2024, fueled by cost-effective, combat-proven systems and a strong push for indigenous innovation.
A 2024 report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) ranked Türkiye as the world’s 11th largest arms exporter. Its share of global defense exports more than doubled from 0.8% (2015–2019) to 1.7% (2020–2024), reflecting strong international demand for Turkish-made platforms like the Bayraktar TB2 drone, which proved its capability in conflicts in Karabakh and Ukraine.
NATO and EU Eyes on Ankara
The Ukraine war and uncertainties over long-term U.S. commitment to European security have prompted a major reassessment of defense strategies across the continent. Türkiye, offering field-proven systems and reliable delivery, is fast becoming a preferred alternative supplier.
Türkiye’s exports to Europe surged from $369 million in 2020 to $1.2 billion in 2023, now accounting for 22% of its total defense exports. At the NATO summit in The Hague in June, members pledged to raise defense spending to 5% of GDP by 2035. NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte remarked, “Türkiye has a very big defense industrial base. It’s really impressive.”
Meanwhile, the EU activated its €150 billion defense fund and signaled Türkiye’s potential involvement. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas stated, “We definitely see Türkiye as a security player.”
Cross-Border Defense Integration Accelerates
Türkiye’s integration into the European defense ecosystem is driven by several high-profile initiatives. In March 2024, Baykar partnered with Italy’s Leonardo to jointly develop next-generation UAVs, combining AI-enabled Turkish technologies with European aerospace expertise. The partnership targets the EU drone market and will operate in multiple locations in Italy.
Baykar also acquired Italy’s historic Piaggio Aerospace, reinforcing Türkiye’s industrial presence in Europe. In 2024 alone, Baykar accounted for one-third of Türkiye’s defense exports and one-quarter of its aerospace exports.
Additionally, Turkish firm Repkon signed a joint production agreement with a German defense company to manufacture 155mm artillery shells—supporting Europe’s effort to replenish ammunition stocks used in Ukraine.
Türkiye’s naval capabilities are also gaining traction. STM signed a deal with Portugal to produce two auxiliary and logistics vessels for the Portuguese Navy, while Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) secured a co-production agreement in Spain to export the Hürjet light attack and trainer jet.
Building Defense Influence Across the Continent
These partnerships reflect Türkiye’s broader influence across Europe. Poland was the first NATO and EU member to procure Bayraktar TB2 drones, receiving 24 units by mid-2024. Albania and Croatia followed, with Croatia also procuring command-control, training, and logistics systems.
In the Balkans, Aselsan opened a regional office in North Macedonia, while Havelsan won a Romanian tender to modernize maritime surveillance using its MATRA platform.
“We have to make sure that the Turkish defense industrial base is as closely connected as possible to the U.K., Norway and the European Union. Let’s not have these fences drawn up within NATO. It won’t help.”
Mark Rutte, NATO Secretary-General
Conclusion: Türkiye Shapes Europe’s New Defense Architecture
As Brussels opens defense cooperation and Washington scales back, Türkiye’s ability to align with both alliances and markets is reshaping who builds Europe’s future defense systems. From drones to naval ships, and from joint ventures to acquisitions, Türkiye is no longer just a supplier—it is a co-architect of the continent’s emerging security framework.
