Belgium reverses 2019 embargo on Turkish defence sector

Belgium has lifted the embargo it previously imposed on Türkiye’s defenсe industry, following changes in the security environment and renewed diplomatic engagement between the two countries.

According to Caliber.Az, SavunmaSanayiST.com announced the decision on its page on the social network X.

Türkiye’nin meşru güvenlik gerekçeleri doğrultusunda 2019 yılında Suriye’de icra ettiği Barış Pınarı Harekatı’nın akabinde Belçika, Türkiye’ye bahsi geçen savunma sanayii ambargosunu uygulama kararı almıştı.

Yaklaşık 6 yıllık bir zaman zarfının ardından Belçika, iki ülke… https://t.co/I7udNKvAjj pic.twitter.com/6Z5ZZ6pCHP

— SavunmaSanayiST.com (@SavunmaSanayiST) November 18, 2025

After Türkiye carried out Operation Barış Pınarı (“Peace Spring”) in Syria in 2019 on legitimate security grounds, Belgium imposed an embargo on Turkish defence exports. Nearly six years later, Belgium has now decided to remove the restrictions, influenced by diplomatic contacts and the evolving security context.

During a meeting with his Turkish counterpart Yaşar Güler, and defenсe industry chief Haluk Görgün on the sidelines of the IDEF'25 International Defence Industry Exhibition in July 2025, Belgian Minister of Defenсe and Foreign Trade Theo Francken held talks on expanding bilateral cooperation in defence and security.

Belgium recently heightened its national security alert level after unidentified drones were detected flying over critical areas. Sightings of unknown UAVs over Brussels and near defence facilities in recent weeks have caused widespread public concern, with security services labelling the incidents a “serious threat.”

Belgium is now exploring ways to strengthen its counter-drone defences. Türkiye, which has faced drone threats for years, began developing a range of hardware- and software-based counter-UAV solutions within its defenсe industry even before the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine war. These systems are actively used by the Turkish Armed Forces and are exported abroad.

By Tamilla Hasanova