US NATO envoy Whitaker hails Turkish defence industry ahead of summit

U.S. NATO permanent representative Matthew Whitaker said Turkey’s defence sector should serve as a model for allied nations, citing its capacity to build up to 50 ships at once and describing the country as an "incredibly capable ally." He made the remarks on Fox News ahead of the NATO summit scheduled in Turkey, noting recent visits to İzmir, Istanbul, Adana and Incirlik air base.

Whitaker also rejected protectionist rhetoric that excludes non‑EU allies, stating the United States does not support such statements. He urged the alliance to remain inclusive, increase defence spending to about 5% of GDP, and boost innovation and joint production across the partnership. The envoy highlighted continued U.S. support for Ukraine, referencing more than $6 billion in arms deliveries and indicating that major announcements are expected at the Ankara summit.

His comments underscore the strategic importance of Turkey’s defence capabilities within NATO and the broader push for collective security and burden‑sharing among members.