Engines of power: The ambitions and realities of Turkey's defence industrial experiment

What lessons can Europe learn from Turkey’s drive over the last decade to boost its own defence industry? The answer to this question largely depends on the perspective you take on Turkey: as a NATO ally to learn from and work with, or as a complicated neighbour with a strongman leadership on a path often contrary to that of Europe. Both perspectives will find lessons learned in this report.

The report takes a step back from the either exultant or worried headline news of flashy new hardware, impressive test results, and laudatory analyses, and delves into some of the more taxing realities of Turkey’s developing defence industry. One such reality unfolded is the challenges involved in producing highly complex military grade engines. Western sanctions, embargoes, etc. have pushed Turkey to engage more closely, not merely with Russia in recent years, but also with Ukraine. This is largely due to the Ukrainian defence industrial complex’ engine technological know-how. But the results of the engagement have been mixed.

Following an introduction to the expanding scope of Turkey’s defence industry, the report unfolds this and more examples of some of the challenges that have faced Turkey’s attempt to pursue ‘strategic autonomy’ on the production of weapons. The report ends with a summary of the lessons to be learned for Europe and NATO from the Turkish example.