Turkey seeks EU, NATO defense inclusion
Analysis based on 19 articles · First reported Jun 29, 2026 · Last updated Jul 08, 2026
The event could positively impact the defense industry in Turkey if trade barriers are removed and sanctions are eased, potentially boosting companies involved in the Kaan fighter jet project. However, continued friction with Greece and the United States could create uncertainty for Turkey's defense sector and its integration into European security structures.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan of Turkey has called for Turkey's full inclusion in all of Europe's defense and security structures, including the European Union's 150-billion-euro Security Action for Europe (SAFE) initiative. He also urged NATO to remove all barriers blocking defense industry trade among its members. These remarks come ahead of a key NATO summit in Ankara, where European defense strategies in light of the threat from Russia and the risk of a US pullback from NATO will be discussed. Greece has threatened to block Turkey's access to the SAFE initiative. The United States had previously imposed sanctions on Turkey and removed it from the F-35 program due to its purchase of the S-400 missile system from Russia. There is speculation that US President Donald Trump might offer Turkey General Electric F110 engines for its Kaan fighter jets at the upcoming summit.
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