Belgium Strengthens Ties with Türkiye to Strengthen Security and Defense Industry.

At the IDEF 2025 defense exhibition held in Istanbul, Belgian Minister of Defense and Foreign Trade, Theo Francken (N-VA), expressed Belgium’s intention to strengthen its military relations with Türkiye, publicly acknowledging the strategic role played by the country within NATO. In a context marked by geopolitical instability and rapid advances in defense technologies, Francken stated to several media outlets that Türkiye is a reliable and essential partner.
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While this rapprochement carries political weight, it is primarily rooted in Türkiye’s significant transformation as a defense producer (Picture source: Army Recognition)

He advocated for an increase in joint exercises under NATO command and for deeper industrial cooperation, highlighting the need for a memorandum of understanding to be signed with his Turkish counterpart, Yaşar Güler, in the coming months. Belgium also plans to host a Turkish defense industry attaché later this year.

While this rapprochement carries political weight, it is primarily rooted in Türkiye’s significant transformation as a defense producer. In under two decades, Türkiye has evolved from being a dependent client to becoming a competitive manufacturer on the international stage. This shift stems from a strategic effort initiated in the 1980s through the creation of research and development support institutions, which accelerated in the 2010s in response to embargoes and restrictions imposed by various Western partners. The sector now includes more than 3,000 companies operating across land, naval, air and space domains, producing for both domestic forces and international clients.

Among the flagship products of this transformation are medium-endurance drones such as the Bayraktar TB2, Türkiye’s most widely exported unmanned aerial vehicle, sold to over 30 countries. Other key systems include the Akinci combat drone and the stealth prototype Kizilelma, which is still in development. In the aviation sector, the KAAN fifth-generation fighter program signals Ankara’s ambition to compete with leading aerospace powers. The Hürjet advanced trainer aircraft has already attracted interest from Spain through a partnership with Airbus. In parallel, Türkiye is developing missile systems (Atmaca, Tayfun), air defense systems (Sungur, Siper) and armored vehicles including the Altay main battle tank, the Kirpi mine-resistant vehicle and new-generation infantry fighting vehicles like the Kaplan and the Pars.

These systems are designed to meet NATO standards and offer a dual advantage: credible performance compared to Western counterparts and significantly lower costs. This pricing strategy is drawing increasing attention from European countries looking for cost-effective solutions that maintain interoperability within NATO frameworks, particularly as traditional defense procurement becomes increasingly expensive.

The IDEF 2025 exhibition, held from July 22 to 27 in Istanbul, underscored this momentum. Several high-profile deals were announced, including the sale of 48 KAAN fighter jets to Indonesia and a memorandum of understanding between Ankara and London for the supply of 40 Eurofighter Typhoons. Baykar, Türkiye’s leading drone manufacturer, expanded its presence in Asia through an agreement with Korean Air, while Roketsan unveiled its Tayfun Block-4 hypersonic missile. The event also facilitated bilateral industrial partnerships with Malaysian, Spanish and Italian actors, reflecting Ankara’s effort to integrate into European defense supply chains.

This activity highlights the growing international appeal of Türkiye’s defense sector, whose exports reached a record $7.15 billion in 2024 and are projected to exceed $8 billion in 2025. For Türkiye, IDEF now serves as more than a showcase, it functions as a strategic platform for influence and integration. For Belgium and other European partners, it signals a willingness to engage in pragmatic cooperation grounded in the industrial realities of a now-established defense actor.