Ankara in the spotlight: Turkey's role in NATO grows ahead of key two-day forum

NATO leaders are flocking to Ankara for a two-day forum starting on Monday, and against this backdrop, the "growing military and diplomatic weight of Turkey" in the alliance is becoming one of the leading topics. Senior NATO and allied officials emphasize that the country's role will continue to grow as the US gradually reduces some of its presence and military capabilities in Europe.

The Allies: Turkey's role becoming "even more significant"

Chief of Defence of the Netherlands, General "Onno Eichelsheim", stated during a visit to Ankara just before the forum that Turkey's role in NATO "will become even more significant" as European allies take on a larger share of the security burden borne primarily by the US for many years.

"The armed forces of Türkiye are the second largest in NATO. As the US withdraws some of its capabilities, we will also need Türkiye's help in filling these gaps," says Eichelsheim in an interview with a Turkish media outlet. He adds that he was "truly impressed" by the potential of the Turkish defense industry and sees broad prospects for bilateral cooperation.

Chairman of the NATO Military Committee, Admiral "Giuseppe Cavo Dragone", also expressed support for Ankara ahead of the meeting, stating: "we trust Türkiye". Thus, the military statements outline a common line: Turkey is establishing itself as a key pillar in European security.

The Ankara Forum: security, Ukraine and burden sharing

The NATO forum on July 7–8 is hosted by President "Recep Tayyip Erdoğan" at the Presidential Complex in Ankara. The agenda is expected to include topics such as "defense spending", "the war in Ukraine" and "the evolution of burden-sharing mechanisms" within the alliance.

Against the backdrop of the debate over how European countries should take greater responsibility for their own defense, the size of the Turkish armed forces, geographic location, and industrial capabilities place Ankara in a particularly strong position.

Defense Industry: exports exceed $10 billion

Turkey's defense sector is becoming the foundation of its growing influence on the world stage. According to data from international research institutes for the "2021–2025" period, the country has "more than doubled" its share of the global arms market to "1.8%", climbing to "11th place" among the largest exporters.

In "2025", the export of Turkish defense products exceeded "10 billion dollars", and in "2026" it continues to grow. This includes unmanned aerial vehicles, armored vehicles, missile systems, and other high-tech solutions that are increasingly appearing in the arsenals of partners around the world.

Engine deals and the push to return to the F‑35

Regarding the procurement of capabilities, the administration of President "Donald Trump" signaled it is ready to "move forward" with a deal worth approximately "700 million dollars" for the sale of "General Electric F110" engines for the Turkish stealth fighter "KAAN" – an aircraft of domestic design. However, restrictions introduced as part of sanctions have not yet been fully lifted by Congress.

In parallel, Turkey continues to insist on "returning to the F‑35 program", from which it was excluded in "2019" after purchasing the Russian "S-400" air defense missile systems. Restoring participation would mean not only access to the jets but also re-entry into the program's industrial supply chain.

France opens the door for SAMP/T

In a new example of Turkey's growing influence, "France" is softening its long-standing political resistance to the sale of the Franco-Italian "SAMP/T" air defense missile system to Ankara. The shift in position was reported in the media on the eve of the forum.

At the end of June, the Turkish Ministry of Defense stated that it is considering "SAMP/T" alongside the American "Patriot" system as part of efforts to "strengthen missile defense". Thus, Turkey seeks to diversify and modernize its shield against missile threats, combining different technological and political sources.

Ankara at the center of the new NATO architecture

The combination of diplomatic rapprochement, active arms deals, and strategic geographic location places Ankara at the center of the "emerging NATO architecture". Turkey does not hide its intention to consolidate this position over the next two days, when the eyes of the allies will be fixed on the decisions coming out of the forum.

Against the backdrop of the changing balance of power in Europe, growing pressure on defense budgets, and the ongoing war in Ukraine, Turkey's role – as the second-largest army in the alliance and a rapidly developing arms manufacturer – seems increasingly central to the future of NATO.