As Europe faces uncertainty, Türkiye becomes essential to security strategy

Proceeding from a new article, CEPA unveils that with Europe facing an ever-growing security challenge, one country stands out as a vital partner in addressing these urgent concerns - Türkiye. 

A key player in NATO with unmatched military capabilities, Türkiye is poised to play a crucial role in Europe’s defence strategy, offering both immediate solutions and long-term collaboration in the fight for stability.

Türkiye boasts the largest land force within European NATO, with nearly 400,000 active troops and double that in reserves. The country also possesses over 2,000 main battle tanks, making up half of NATO's total in Europe. Its naval forces command key Black Sea shipping lanes, granting Türkiye significant strategic influence.

With Europe struggling to assemble a reassurance force for Ukraine, which could number only 20,000 to 30,000 troops, Türkiye remains the only nation capable of rapidly mobilising a large-scale force in the short term.

Encouraging signs of renewed cooperation have emerged, as Türkiye's longstanding European skepticism was eased when Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan attended the March 2 security summit on Ukraine at Lancaster House in London, signaling a new chapter in relations.

Türkiye’s greatest potential may lie in its defence industrial sector. Europe is beginning to recognize the need to boost its own military production, but the process will take years. In response, Germany and the EU recently unveiled substantial financing packages to support arms production, acknowledging that a potential US pullback from European defence could leave Europe vulnerable.

Moreover, Türkiye’s defence capabilities offer Europe immediate solutions. The country’s efficient defence manufacturing sector produces tanks, infantry fighting vehicles, and artillery shells at scale. Additionally, Türkiye has developed advanced military technologies, particularly in drones, an area where Europe lags behind. Turkish Bayraktar drones, for example, played a pivotal role in halting Russian tank advances during the early stages of the Ukraine conflict.

Türkiye seeks cooperation and technology exchange in return, which would benefit both parties and strengthen European security. Recent developments, such as Baykar’s partnership with European defence giant Leonardo, further demonstrate Türkiye’s commitment to defence collaboration.

As Europe navigates these challenging times, Türkiye’s cooperation is crucial for addressing shared security threats and ensuring the continent’s future stability.

By Naila Huseynova