Türkiye eyes economic, defence gains from hosting NATO summit in Ankara

Türkiye expects political, economic and defence benefits from hosting the upcoming NATO summit in Ankara on July 7-8, with analysts estimating the event could generate about $1.7 billion in annual macroeconomic impact for the country in the long term, Dünya newspaper reported.

According to the newspaper, Türkiye's treasury is expected to receive between $60 million and $62.5 million in direct revenue from the summit, mainly through hotel accommodation and logistics spending by participants.

Around 6,000 official representatives from NATO’s 32 member states and leaders from 10 non-member countries are expected to attend the meeting, Dünya said. The delegation of U.S. President Donald Trump alone is expected to include 1,400 people, while around 2,000 foreign media representatives are set to cover the summit. In total, the number of participants and visitors in Ankara is expected to exceed 10,000, the report said.

Türkiye’s main expectations from the summit are tied to the prospect of new defence contracts with alliance members. Dünya said NATO countries’ decision to raise defence spending to 5% of gross domestic product could open a major European market for Turkish defence exports, including drones, armoured vehicles, missile systems and other weapons and ammunition.

Analysts estimate the summit’s impact on Türkiye’s defence industry could reach around $3 billion over the following three years, the newspaper reported.

Experts also say the summit could help reduce Türkiye’s five-year credit default swap premiums by 20 to 30 basis points, cutting external borrowing costs for the public and private sectors by $200 million to $300 million a year.

In the longer term, foreign investment inflows into Türkiye could rise by $1.5 billion to $2 billion annually, according to the report.

Dünya added that Türkiye’s role in ensuring uninterrupted energy supplies to Europe could also grow amid the crisis in the Strait of Hormuz, as key pipelines run through Turkish territory.

Security preparations for the summit have been stepped up significantly. It was previously reported that 70,000 Turkish security personnel will be deployed for the event, while the country’s air defence systems and air force will be placed on high alert.

A multi-layered security system involving unmanned aerial vehicles and anti-drone measures will be used in Ankara, according to local media. Security checks have reportedly been intensified across the capital, including at hotels hosting summit participants, on streets and buildings along delegation routes, and at restaurants and cafes.

Türkiye last hosted a NATO summit in Istanbul in 2004. While security measures were also heightened at that time, analysts say they are far less extensive than those being introduced for this year’s gathering in Ankara.

By Sabina Mammadli