Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called on NATO allies to lift defence-industry restrictions that hinder cooperation among member states on Wednesday [1].
The request highlights ongoing friction between Turkey and certain Western partners regarding technology transfers and sanctions. Removing these barriers is viewed as a necessary step to ensure Turkey can fully participate in joint defence projects and maintain the integrity of the alliance's collective security framework.
Speaking during the NATO summit on July 8, 2026 [1], Erdogan said that restrictions on the defence industry must be removed to avoid policies that could weaken NATO unity or transatlantic ties [3]. The president said that such limitations prevent member states from collaborating effectively on critical security infrastructure.
Turkey has sought relief from specific U.S. sanctions and restrictions that have previously limited its access to advanced military hardware and joint development programs [2]. By advocating for a broader policy shift across the alliance, Erdogan is positioning Turkey as a central player in the regional security architecture.
The Turkish leader said that the goal is to enable greater participation in defence-industry projects to ensure the alliance remains resilient against emerging threats [3]. He said that the current restrictions create artificial divides between allies that adversaries could potentially exploit.
Member states have historically cited security concerns and intellectual property protections as reasons for maintaining these restrictions [2]. However, Erdogan said that these concerns should not outweigh the necessity of a unified, and technologically integrated, alliance.
“Defence-industry restrictions between NATO allies must be lifted”
This push by Turkey reflects a strategic effort to reduce its reliance on external military suppliers and integrate its domestic defence industry more deeply into the NATO ecosystem. By framing the issue as a matter of 'alliance unity' rather than national interest, Turkey is attempting to pressure the US and other allies to ease sanctions and export controls that have historically hampered Turkish military procurement.
