A researcher at the European Policy Analysis Center (Cepa) and the NATO 2030 scholarshipist Federico Borsari wrote an analytical article for changes in European defense and the role of Turkey in this transformation.
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In the field of European defense, a remarkable process of transformation takes place, and this time is not in Paris, London, Rome or Berlin this time. Turkish defense companies make a “quiet revolution”, turning from ordinary suppliers of equipment into architects of the future defense landscape of Europe.
The acquisition by the manufacturer of the Bayraktar TB2 Baykar combat drone [1] The Italian Piaggio Aerospace in December 2024 became not just another bilateral defense -industrial transaction – this was a statement about the intent that signaling the fundamental change in the vision of Turkish defense companies in Europe. The Turkish defense exports grew to $ 7.2 billion in 2024 [2], but the true transformation lies in the fundamental rethinking of Turkish companies in European defense.
outside the drones: strategic transformation
Against the backdrop of the entry of Turkish drones, something deeper is formed in the Turkish defense ecosystem in the Turkish defense ecosystem. The emerging partnership [3] between Baykar and the Italian Leonardo concerns not only the integration of European electronics into the Turkish UAV, but also the creation of a new model of defense cooperation, in which the capabilities of the Turkish and European side complement each other in an unprecedented way.
A number of recent events can help us better understand this evolution. Firstly, the memorandum of understanding signed by Spain on December 20, 2024 [4], on the purchase of 24 improved Hürjet training aircraft from the Turkish aerospace company Tusaş, coupled with the participation of the Spanish industry enterprises, marks a significant shift in relation to Europeans to the possibilities of Turkish aerosmic. industries. Secondly, the cooperation of Tusaş [5] with European defense companies in the field of advanced on-board systems emphasizes the growing technological synergy between the Turkish and European defense industry.
Thirdly, the potential participation of Turkey in the production of components F-35 through the former Piaggio subcontractor can open up new opportunities for cooperation and emphasize the strategic value of this acquisition.