Why is the EU including Turkey in defense industry projects?

Why Is the EU Now Including Turkey in defense industry Projects?

For years, the European Union kept Turkey at arm’s length from strategic, economic, and military projects. Yet today, Brussels is inviting Ankara to collaborate on defense industry initiatives. This shift is not merely a gesture of goodwill — it reflects deeper structural weaknesses and geopolitical pressures that Europe can no longer ignore.

1. What Has Europe Lost? The U.S. Dependency Crisis

As EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas admitted: “Until now, EU countries have imported 60% of their defense needs from the United States.” This stark statistic highlights the EU’s lack of strategic autonomy and its overreliance on Washington.

The war in Ukraine exposed just how problematic this dependence is — with delays in arms deliveries, inflated costs, and political constraints. As the EU seeks to strengthen its own defense capabilities, working with partners like Turkey, who have proven defense manufacturing capacity, becomes a necessity rather than a choice.

2. From Outsider to Strategic Partner: Turkey’s Shift in Role

After being sidelined for decades in EU integration efforts — no updated Customs Union, no visa liberalization, and constant political hurdles — Turkey now finds itself invited into EU defense collaboration. Why?

• Turkey’s significant advances in defense technologies, especially drones

• Its pivotal role within NATO

• Its balanced diplomacy during the Ukraine war

• Its increasing geopolitical importance in both the Middle East and the Black Sea

These developments have made Turkey a valuable actor that the EU cannot afford to ignore.

3. Europe’s Growing Security Gap

The EU’s military capacity is insufficient. Germany’s ammunition stocks are reportedly only enough for days or weeks of warfare. France has nuclear deterrence but limited deployment capability. Outside of Poland and the Baltic states, most European armies lack readiness.

Additionally, the possibility of Donald Trump returning to the U.S. presidency — and his threats of NATO withdrawal — have deeply shaken European defense planners. In this context, Turkey’s industrial capacity and military infrastructure offer the EU a lifeline to patch its growing strategic vulnerabilities.

4. Human Rights Concerns: Talking Points, Not Deal Breakers

Kaja Kallas also criticized Turkey’s human rights record and democratic backsliding, referencing concerns about opposition figures and the rule of law. However, despite these criticisms, cooperation in the defense sector is moving forward.

This indicates a shift in priorities: the EU still voices its concerns, but these are no longer seen as absolute barriers to strategic cooperation. Realpolitik is taking precedence over values-based diplomacy.

5. Conclusion: Europe Is Not What It Used to Be, Neither Is Turkey

Europe is weaker — economically, militarily, and politically. Meanwhile, Turkey is more assertive, more independent, and more capable. This changing balance of power is reshaping relations. The EU’s invitation to Turkey for joint defense projects is not a gift, but a recognition of necessity.

In short:
Europe’s growing military vulnerability and its desire to reduce dependence on the U.S. are forcing it to re-evaluate partners like Turkey. The inclusion of Turkey in EU defense projects is a sign of Europe’s strategic fatigue — and Turkey’s increasing geopolitical relevance.