Turkey calls for removal of NATO defense cooperation restrictions

During a NATO summit held in Ankara, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called for the immediate lifting of restrictions on defense industry cooperation among alliance members. Erdogan highlighted Turkey's status as a top-ten global defense manufacturer and announced a new $24 billion budget allocation to improve the nation's air and missile defense systems. He further emphasized that European defense initiatives must be inclusive and should not exclude non-EU NATO allies. Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan supported this position, stating that restrictions on industrial cooperation act as strategic burdens that weaken the alliance. Fidan specifically criticized the exclusion of Turkey from European programs like the SAFE initiative, suggesting it hinders regional security. While Ankara advocates for deeper integration, the move underscores ongoing tensions regarding defense procurement and geopolitical alignment within the bloc.