Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan called for the adoption of joint defense industry plans that include NATO allies outside the European Union [1].
The move highlights the tension between the European Union's desire for strategic autonomy and the broader collective security framework of NATO. If European members develop defense capabilities exclusively within the EU, non-EU members like Turkey risk being sidelined from critical security architecture and technological sharing.
Erdoğan said that the integration of all allies is essential for the strength of the alliance. He specifically addressed the European members of the military bloc, urging them to maintain an inclusive approach to military planning [1].
"European members of NATO must not exclude allies from outside the European Union from defense plans," Erdoğan said [1].
The call for joint industry plans suggests a push for more collaborative procurement and development of military hardware. By fostering these ties, Turkey seeks to ensure that its own defense industry remains interoperable with European standards, while maintaining its influence within the alliance's strategic decision-making processes [1].
This diplomatic push comes as NATO continues to navigate evolving threats and the need for modernized equipment. Erdoğan's focus on the defense industry indicates that Turkey views economic and industrial cooperation as a primary lever for maintaining political relevance within the Western security apparatus [1].
“European members of NATO must not exclude allies from outside the European Union from defense plans”
This request reflects Turkey's strategic anxiety regarding the 'Europeanization' of NATO. As EU members move toward greater defense integration, Turkey—which is not an EU member—faces the potential for a two-tier alliance where the most advanced defense planning and industrial secrets are shared only among EU states, effectively limiting Turkey's role to a secondary security partner.
