Turkiye Air Defense System: Erdoğan’s NATO Summit Agenda
**President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is gearing up for critical discussions surrounding Turkiye’s defense needs during the upcoming NATO Leaders Summit in The Hague, Netherlands. Central to these discussions will be the European-made SAMP/T long-range air defense system and the procurement of Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets. Turkish officials have underscored the significance of these issues, highlighting their importance for Turkiye’s independence in defense production. It is anticipated that Erdoğan will engage in direct talks with key leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, to advocate for Turkey’s defense aspirations.
Aiming to bolster collaboration on air defense, Erdoğan plans to persuade Macron regarding the joint production of the SAMP/T system developed by France and Italy. For Turkiye, the SAMP/T is integral to developing an advanced air defense network, akin to a “steel dome.” While Italy appears open to this partnership, Macron remains hesitant, influenced by ongoing tensions due to Turkiye’s military activities in Syria, conflicts in the Eastern Mediterranean, and rising Turkish influence in Africa. These diplomatic strains between Ankara and Paris continue to complicate discussions.
The SAMP/T system is designed to operate using Aster 30 Block I missiles, which have an effective intercept range of up to 120 kilometers. Meanwhile, new iterations—Block I NT and Block II—are in development to enhance defense capabilities against ballistic threats. Back in 2018, Turkey initiated a preliminary agreement with Eurosam, Aselsan, and Roketsan for the domestic production of the SAMP/T, signaling a step towards self-sufficiency in defense.
In addition to the SAMP/T, Erdoğan’s agenda will also focus on the acquisition of Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets. Turkish sources indicate that he will seek political backing from Chancellor Merz to move this request forward. Earlier this year, the United Kingdom presented a formal price offer to Turkiye; however, Germany’s agreement is crucial for advancing this procurement. Turkiye is looking to enhance its Eurofighter fleet with over 20 additional aircraft, which will include the latest Tranche 4 models as well as previously manufactured units. The deal is also expected to encompass advanced air-to-air Meteor missiles, with a total projected cost around 10 billion euros. Erdoğan has emphasized the inappropriate nature of political barriers to defense trade among allied nations.
Aside from the Eurofighter discussions, Turkiye is actively engaged in negotiations for the procurement of F-16 Block 70 fighter jets from the United States. Additionally, Turkish officials are making diplomatic overtures to regain re-entry into the F-35 program, from which they were excluded in 2019 following the acquisition of the Russian S-400 system. Reports suggest Erdoğan might propose restrictions on the “limited usage” of the S-400 during potential meetings with U.S. President Donald Trump. With these strategies, Turkiye seeks to expedite the modernization of its air forces, strategically enhancing its defense posture amid ongoing tensions from the Russia-Ukraine conflict and evolving dynamics in the Middle East.
