Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has fundamentally changed Germany’s security policy. In the past, Berlin avoided making large investments in defense, but after February 2022, it started providing military support to Ukraine while also seeking ways to strengthen its own defense capabilities.
An answer to these efforts came from the German defense industry. Shares of the German defense giant Rheinmetall, which were at around 96 euros just before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, are now hovering around 1,700 euros. This corresponds to an increase of approximately 1,560 percent.
Defense analyst Çağlar Kurç stated, “The Ukraine war revealed the inadequacy of NATO’s production capacity in defense. Since the start of the Ukraine war, NATO countries, especially European nations, have been trying to increase their manufacturing capabilities,” he said. Speaking to DW Turkish, Kurç added, “Rheinmetall is using its production capacities in many different countries to meet the needs of Germany and Ukraine.”
“Who else should we work with?”
Turkey, which has the second-largest NATO army and an increasingly strengthening defense industry, became one of the leading countries in Germany’s search for partnership.
The topic of cooperation in defense was among the key agenda items during the meeting last week between Chancellor Friedrich Merz and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Erdoğan said, “We need to leave behind the past issues in the supply of defense industry products and focus on joint projects. We will continue to work closely with Germany in the coming period.”
Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul also previously said during his three-week visit to Ankara, “If our defense industries can work together, we would be pleased. Who else should we work with?”
“The world has become increasingly smaller”
A senior official working in the organization responsible for the German Army’s weapons and equipment procurement (BAAINBw) pointed out that, in light of global geopolitical developments, the number of reliable partners around Germany is gradually decreasing.
Evaluating Germany’s defense cooperation plans with Turkey, under the condition that its identity is kept secret, the official said to DW Turkish, “Along with developments in Ukraine and China, the world has suddenly become very small. The official noted, “Despite all differences, when we talk about Turkey, we are talking about a NATO partner that is extremely well-positioned militarily and strong. Therefore, both sides can benefit from this partnership and learn from each other.”
“Absolutely advantageous for Germany”
Benedikt Meng, a defense industry veteran and close observer of this field, told DW Turkish, “Turkey, being an important NATO ally and a key actor in the Middle East and the Caucasus, having deepening relations in defense and industry policies in line with common security interests is definitely advantageous for Germany.”
Defense expert Meng also added, “Moreover, Turkey is not only a partner in cooperation but can also be a market for German and European defense industries.”
In 2022, four Turkish companies (Baykar, Aselsan, TAI, and Roketsan) entered the list of the world’s top 100 defense companies for the first time. In this context, mainstream German media even published reports describing Turkey’s defense sector as an “rising industry.”
While German and Turkish politicians have so far refrained from sharing concrete details about the planned defense cooperation, some concrete collaborations are said to be taking shape. According to an agreement signed at the beginning of 2025, Turkish defense firm Reppon will produce 155mm artillery shells in Germany starting from 2027. These munitions are used in howitzers that meet NATO standards, and are also used in systems employed in Ukraine.
Some Turkish newspapers and social media platforms have even described this agreement as “technology transfer from Turkey to Germany.” Kurç, noting that Reppon’s recent investments in different countries demonstrate the company’s competence, also said that the term “technology transfer” might be slightly exaggerated, but that Turkey’s current role in defense does not receive the deserved recognition.
“Turkey’s production capacity, its willingness to cooperate, and the quality of its companies are important resources for the development of European defense. Under these conditions, excluding Turkey would be a mistake for Europe. Germany is beginning to see Turkey’s value for European defense.”
“We have limited options”
Recently, the relationship between Germany and Turkey, which has taken on the identity of mutual interests, has been marked by various tensions. Turkey’s use of German-made tanks in its Syria operation caused significant reactions in Germany. During the diplomatic tension in 2017, Germany moved its troops and equipment from Incirlik Air Base to Jordan.
A senior official, who has served within the German Army for many years, said, “Turkey should obviously initiate a process of democratization. But at the end of the day, we don’t have many options. The U.S. also deports people and uses force on the streets. Should we also tell them, ‘We are no longer buying your weapons’?”
Reputation of Turkish UAVs
So, what is the situation regarding low-cost, high-performance armed unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), one of the main pillars of Turkey’s international rise in defense? According to the strategy agency BAKS under the German Defense Ministry, these UAVs played a decisive role in Azerbaijan’s victory in the Nagorno-Karabakh War.
Meanwhile, Turkey also sent these UAVs to Ukraine. Even Baykar CEO Haluk Bayraktar was awarded a merit badge by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. These systems are currently also part of the arsenals of Poland and Romania, EU countries.
Kurç emphasized that “Europe’s use of Turkey’s capabilities is important for strengthening European defense,” adding, “Increasing Turkey’s production capabilities means increasing NATO’s production capacity. One of the best examples is the developments in the UAV field. While Europe is still trying to realize the Eurodrone project, Turkey has almost at least two alternative UAV systems for every mission.”
“We should closely examine Turkish UAVs”
A German Army official also believes that Germany must “definitely take a close look at Turkish UAVs.” The official said, “Turkey is quite advanced in this field. From market analyses and cooperation opportunities, Turkey is certainly a player worth considering. Immediate contacts and detailed review are necessary.”
Defense expert Meng also noted, “Turkey has developed an impressive knowledge base that could contribute to joint projects in UAVs and other flying platforms.” He pointed out that the current Turkish-German defense cooperation can already be observed in the TB-2s, and mentioned that sensors from Hensoldt are used in Bayraktars.
Meanwhile, it can be said that Europe and Turkey have already begun cooperation in UAV technology. In June, Italian defense company Leonardo and Baykar established a joint venture called “LBA Systems.”
Furthermore, Turkey’s official accession to Europe’s security architecture is also on the agenda soon. The European Commission is evaluating Ankara’s application to join the EU’s new armament program, SAFE. If Turkey’s concerns voiced by Greece are addressed, Turkey could become a key actor in ensuring Europe’s security.”
