Erdogan urges EU to include Turkey in €150 bn SAFE defence programme

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan told NATO parliamentarians in Istanbul that Turkey’s contribution to European security is often overlooked and called for Ankara to be fully integrated into all European Union defence and security initiatives. He specifically requested Turkey’s participation in the EU’s Security Action for Europe (SAFE) funding programme, which allocates €150 billion to accelerate weapons production, strengthen defence industries and reduce reliance on non‑European suppliers. The appeal comes ahead of the NATO summit scheduled for 7‑8 July.

Turkey, the alliance’s second‑largest military force after the United States, commands the strategic Bosphorus and Dardanelles straits and has become a major exporter of combat drones. Its defence sector also develops fifth‑generation fighter jets, unmanned carrier‑based aircraft, missile systems and armored vehicles, positioning the country as a key player in Europe’s defence supply chain.