{"id":2908,"date":"2026-07-10T02:10:14","date_gmt":"2026-07-10T02:10:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/defence\/2908\/"},"modified":"2026-07-10T02:10:14","modified_gmt":"2026-07-10T02:10:14","slug":"beyond-the-summit-how-turkiye-showcased-natos-next-gen-defense","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/defence\/2908\/","title":{"rendered":"Beyond the summit: How T\u00fcrkiye showcased NATO’s next-gen defense"},"content":{"rendered":"

T\u00fcrkiye once again hosted a NATO summit after a 22-year hiatus. The growing perception of threats in neighboring regions, and particularly in Europe due to the Russia-Ukraine war, has heightened the summit\u2019s significance. Statements made by heads of state and government during the summit indicate that it will yield the most \u201cconcrete outcomes and decisions\u201d in recent years. In this context, the fact that NATO’s future vision is being shaped in T\u00fcrkiye is of particular importance. T\u00fcrkiye\u2019s central position within NATO, as well as its capabilities in the defense and aerospace sectors, makes its role at the Ankara summit particularly noteworthy from the alliance\u2019s perspective.<\/p>\n

Undoubtedly, the Turkish defense industry and the utilization of its production capabilities lie at the heart of the alliance’s strategic decision-making processes. In this context, a \u201cDefense Industry Forum\u201d was held as part of the summit, addressing potential areas for enhancing interoperability among alliance partners and building a sustainable ecosystem.<\/p>\n

Hosted by Presidency of Defense Industries (SSB) Secretary Haluk G\u00f6rg\u00fcn, a reception was held at Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) as part of the forum, <\/a>where the capabilities of the Turkish defense industry were showcased to participating delegations through both flight demonstrations and an exhibition in the static display area.<\/p>\n

T\u00fcrkiye as model country<\/p>\n

International summits are crucial for heads of state and government, as well as high-level decision-makers, in terms of future objectives. The signing of cooperation and procurement agreements is also of particular importance. Agreements totaling nearly $100 billion were signed for various purposes, ranging from the formation of multinational elements to joint development activities and procurement. Furthermore, as part of the reception, the SSB\u2019s taking the visiting delegations directly to a massive production and research and development (R&D) center such as the TAI was one of the most effective tools of defense diplomacy. Delegates were shown the capabilities of the Turkish defense industry not \u201cfrom a catalog\u201d but directly at the production facility and through live flight demonstrations. This created a unique platform for increasing defense exports and establishing new strategic partnerships.<\/p>\n


\n \"Presidency
\n <\/a>
\n Presidency of Defense Industries (SSB) Secretary Haluk G\u00f6rg\u00fcn gives a speech during the Defense Industry Forum 2026 at the sidelines of the NATO Summit, Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) Kahramankazan campus, Ankara, T\u00fcrkiye, July 7, 2026. (AA Photo)<\/p>\n

The projects T\u00fcrkiye has implemented in its defense and aerospace industries have evolved into significant capabilities today. A localization rate approaching 85%, combined with high-tech solutions that have proven themselves on the battlefield, is attracting NATO’s interest. The planned state policy in question, implemented since the early 2000s under the vision of the \u201cNational Technology Initiative,\u201d<\/a> is drawing increased attention to the outcomes of \u201ctransformation in a quarter-century.\u201d T\u00fcrkiye\u2019s capabilities, which have reached a level at which thousands of companies and tens of thousands of projects can be managed simultaneously under the coordination of the SSB, are naturally the focus of attention. Alliance partners, meanwhile, could identify both existing collaborations and potential future areas of activity firsthand and on-site on the sidelines of the summit.<\/p>\n

Technological independence<\/p>\n

At the reception held at the TAI facilities, delegations were greeted by armored vehicles on display in the static exhibition area, including an Altay tank, an Arma 8×8 wheeled armored combat vehicle, the Machinery and Chemical Industry Corporation’s (MKE) Tolga air defense solution and Roketsan\u2019s ballistic missiles. In addition to these, aerial demonstrations were conducted to showcase the current state of the aviation sector.<\/p>\n

The Turkish defense industry showcased the capabilities of numerous platforms it has developed and produced, including the G\u00f6kbey general-purpose helicopter, the T129 Atak attack helicopter, the H\u00fcrku\u015f basic training aircraft, the H\u00fcrjet advanced jet trainer, the Anka III strategic bomber, and the Anka-S and Bayraktar TB3 unmanned aerial vehicles.<\/p>\n

Opening the doors of these facilities to foreign delegations demonstrates not only the systems being produced but also the construction of an entire ecosystem, from design to testing and qualification. This transparency ensures that T\u00fcrkiye\u2019s technological capabilities are vividly observed and validated within the framework of the Ankara summit.<\/p>\n

T\u00fcrkiye\u2019s production of systems that are fully compliant with NATO standards (STANAG) and have \u201cproven themselves on the battlefield\u201d is the clearest indication of strategic compatibility within the alliance. This, in turn, enables T\u00fcrkiye to export significant quantities of defense systems to its alliance partners.<\/p>\n

According to 2025 data, 56% of T\u00fcrkiye\u2019s $10.56 billion in exports went directly to the European Union, NATO members and the United States. These figures are, in fact, a testament to the quality and reliability of Turkish defense industry products, which meet Western standards. Furthermore, interest in products that have proven themselves on the battlefield is on the rise. This reinforces the desire to implement \u201cjoint projects,\u201d as seen during Belgium\u2019s recent high-level visit to T\u00fcrkiye. This is also the underlying rationale behind the approach taken by a Belgian company developing weapon turrets toward the Turkish defense industry land vehicle manufacturers by offering to integrate their turrets into Turkish armored vehicles and sell them together. On the other hand, the standards in question were also crucial when Spain purchased H\u00fcrjet aircraft from T\u00fcrkiye, or when Portugal sought to procure warships from Turkish defense firm STM for its navy.<\/p>\n

Furthermore, production capabilities and infrastructure have become even more critical to prevent crises caused by the rapid depletion of ammunition stocks in military arsenals, stemming from both the Ukraine-Russia war and the U.S.-Israel-Iran conflict. T\u00fcrkiye\u2019s established capabilities, both in serial production infrastructure and in setting up production lines, are significant for the alliance. The U.S. bidding for a contract with a Turkish firm for the production of 155 mm artillery ammunition is a clear indication of this. Similarly, MKE\u2019s agreements with various countries to establish production lines for small-caliber expendable ammunition further confirm this.<\/p>\n


\n \"The
\n <\/a>
\n The Defense Industry Forum was held on the sidelines of the NATO summit at the Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) campus in Kahramankazan, Ankara, T\u00fcrkiye, July 7, 2026. (AA Photo) <\/p>\n

Core country for NATO<\/p>\n

In the field of unmanned systems, platforms such as T\u00fcrkiye’s first unmanned combat aircraft, Bayraktar K\u0131z\u0131lelma, combat drone Bayraktar Ak\u0131nc\u0131, Anka-III and TB3 are expected to assume more significant roles within the alliance in the future. The fact that all of these represent \u201cgame-changing\u201d solutions in their respective fields is driving this process. Italy\u2019s desire for joint production of the TB3 and the United Kingdom\u2019s interest in the ANKA-III are examples of this. Bayraktar TB2 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), which have been added to the inventories of NATO allies such as Poland and Romania, are becoming key elements in strengthening the alliance\u2019s defensive shield on its eastern flank.<\/p>\n

Moreover, in the land vehicle sector, armored platforms produced by companies such as Nurol Makina, Otokar and FNSS are preferred by many NATO allies. Amid ammunition supply crises in Europe, T\u00fcrkiye\u2019s growing production capacity for artillery ammunition and smart munitions is emerging as a key link in the alliance\u2019s supply chain during potential crises.<\/p>\n

In short, the Ankara summit represented more than a platform for delivering political messages; it marked a critical turning point in which barriers to defense industry cooperation among allies were addressed.<\/p>\n

It was clearly emphasized at this summit that any form of export restrictions or covert embargoes imposed by allies against one another under the NATO umbrella ultimately weakens the alliance\u2019s own collective deterrence. It is abundantly clear that T\u00fcrkiye\u2019s high-tech production capacity is not a competitive factor to be excluded or restricted among allies. T\u00fcrkiye\u2019s position should be viewed as that of a \u201cregional production hub\u201d that will optimize NATO’s overall capabilities and reduce logistical costs.<\/p>\n

At the Ankara summit, T\u00fcrkiye once again demonstrated, after a quarter-century of arduous struggle, that it is not merely a \u201cperipheral country\u201d within NATO, but a \u201ccore country\u201d that develops and exports advanced technologies and shapes doctrine.<\/p>\n

The views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect the editorial stance, values or position of Daily Sabah. The newspaper provides space for diverse perspectives as part of its commitment to open and informed public discussion.\n <\/p>\n

\"\"\/<\/p>\n

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