Turkey aims for cooperation with European defense industry

Turkey’s exclusion from the European Defense Agency is undermining closer cooperation between Turkish and European defense companies, Sedat Guldogan, deputy undersecretary of the country’s Ministry of National Defense Industries said Wednesday.

“Turkey’s defense expenditures make up almost 10 percent of Europe’s total defense expenditures, but cooperation between Turkish and European defense companies is way behind,” Guldogan said at a panel discussion at the 13th Berlin Security Conference, also known as the Congress on European Security and Defense.

Turkey’s defense industry achieved high growth rates in recent years, with more than $5 billion in 2013, including $1.5 billion in exports.

Exports to the U.S. reached $680 million in 2013 and $336 million to EU member countries.

“European defense industry companies have not been successful in the Turkish defense market in the last 10 years,” Guldogan said. “There are no major programs apart from conventional business.”