Over the past two decades, Türkiye’s investments in developing an autonomous defence industry have become a cornerstone of its military and security strategy. This transformation has been driven by several interconnected factors. While the security landscape in Türkiye’s neighbourhood has experienced significant and often rapid shifts, the lack of tangible support from its allies, coupled with Türkiye’s ambition to gain geopolitical influence both regionally and globally, has propelled efforts towards self-sufficiency and accelerated the nationalisation of its defence industry.
In foreign policy, the prioritisation of national security interests has been evident in various actions, ranging from countering terrorist threats in Syria to supporting the United Nations-backed Government of National Accord in Libya. Additionally, Türkiye’s involvement in the Nagorno-Karabakh War alongside Azerbaijan, its delicate balancing act in the Russia-Ukraine War, and the increasing global interest in Turkish drones further highlight the close interplay between the country’s defence industry and its foreign policy objectives.
This session will explore the goals, challenges, and future prospects of Türkiye’s defence industry while examining how these elements influence the formulation and execution of Turkish foreign policy in a rapidly changing global landscape.