Turkey wants to take advantage of Western rearmament to boost its arms exports

Turkey seeks to consolidate its position among the world's leading exporters of military equipment, as Western countries accelerate their defense spending and reorganize their strategic partnerships.

After two decades of massive investment in its defense industry, Ankara has become a key player in the sector. Turkish military exports have tripled since 2021, reaching nearly $10 billion, driven in particular by the international success of combat drones produced by companies like Baykar.

Once heavily reliant on foreign suppliers, Turkey now provides military equipment to nearly forty countries, primarily in the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and parts of Europe. Its products are often valued for their lower cost, shorter delivery times, and adaptability to customer needs.

The war in Ukraine and growing questions about the long-term reliability of American security guarantees are prompting several European states to diversify their military industrial partners. In this context, Ankara hopes to present itself not only as a strategic NATO ally on its southeastern flank, but also as a major supplier of defense technologies.

The Turkish government is counting on the NATO summit scheduled for July in Ankara to showcase its industry to Western leaders. Representatives from the defense sector are expected to promote new industrial cooperation and joint production projects at the summit.

Despite this momentum, Turkish companies continue to face several obstacles within the European Union. Some European defense initiatives remain reserved for member states, while political disputes between Ankara and several European capitals further complicate access to certain markets.

Turkey is nevertheless counting on increased military budgets in Europe and growing demand for defense equipment to continue its expansion and strengthen its influence on the international stage.