08.07.2021 – 16:34
By Alex Kassidiaris, Inside Arabia
Over the past few decades, Turkey has invested heavily in its defense industry. In fact, achieving a high degree of self-sufficiency in armaments and technology in the defense sector has been one of the key strategic objectives for the Turkish government under the rule of the Justice and Development Party (AKP) and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
The Undersecretariat for Defense Industries (SSM) has been the official branch dealing with the tactical development of the Turkish defense infrastructure. Although this institution was established in 1985, it was not really used until the early 2000s – the AKP formed its first government in 2002 – when the SSM began to consolidate its strategic vision, playing a role vital in all sectors of defense and the Turkish economy.
In 2018, the SSM was renamed the Presidency of Defense Industries (SSB), and moved under the direct control of the Turkish president, stressing the importance of this organization to Erdogan.
Materialized Strategic Plan: Self-sufficiency and exports in the field of defense
To some extent, the goal of self-sufficiency in the field of defense has been achieved in all three branches of the Turkish Armed Forces. The wide range of Armored Personnel Carriers (APC), BORA / KHAN (Roketsan) missile systems and BMC Cyprus armored vehicles are some examples that show the expansion of equipment built by Turkey for its ground forces.
The growing capabilities of the Turkish Air Force (UAV) underline the good prospects of its defense industry. The Milgelm National Shipping Project outlines strategic plans for the domestic production of defense systems, expanding the Turkish Navy, while the T129 ATAK and GÖKEY helicopters – both developed by the Turkish Space Industries (TUSAS) – further reveal how Ankara has invested heavily in having an autonomy in the production of such products.
Meanwhile, while working towards achieving self-sufficiency in this area, Turkey has aimed to increase the volume of its exports in the same sector. Turkish defense exports increased by nearly 650 percent between 2005 and 2019.
The decline in exports last year is attributed to the Covid-19 crisis, but no
substantially influenced the overall trend. The vast majority of these weapons have not been exported to NATO or EU countries until recently.
Azerbaijan and Qatar have been among the traditional customers of Turkish weapons systems. Although recently Ankara has aimed to expand sales to other Asian and African countries, extending from Tunisia and Kenya, to Pakistan, Malaysia and the Philippines.
Advantages of Turkish drone technology
In all three conflicts where Turkey has been militarily involved recently, its domestically built drone systems have played a crucial role in the outcome on the ground. Especially in Libya and Nagorno-Karabakh, Turkish drones have radically changed the situation on the ground in favor of the Turkish-backed side.
Recent developments in these conflicts have highlighted the role of Turkish unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) as one of the most successful and cost-effective options, with the Bayraktar Tb2 drone, which ranks first, as the benchmark. in terms of the capabilities and reputation currently enjoyed by Turkish drones.
“Bayraktar Tb2” is produced by “Baykar”, the main Turkish company in this field. President Erdogan’s son-in-law, Selcuk Bayraktar, holds the post of chief technology officer at the company, and has been one of the leading figures in the research and development of drone programs.
During 2020, Baykar generated $ 360 million in profits from exports of UAV armed systems. In late May, during his visit to Ankara, Polish Defense Minister Mariusz Błaszczak signed an agreement with his Turkish counterpart on the purchase of 24 US $ 270 million Bayraktar TB2 drones.
Turkish drone diplomacy
But in addition to financial gains, Turkey has many other significant benefits. The agreement with Poland can be considered the first important agreement of the Turkish defense industry with a NATO and EU country, both financially and operationally.
The unique nature of the agreement with Poland shows that Ankara is ready to expand its exports and influence in a new market, which will have serious political and strategic consequences. In this context, the recent visit of Latvian Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Artis Pabriks to Turkey in early June can be interpreted as an additional sign, confirming the expansion of Turkish exports in this field.
According to unconfirmed sources from the company “Baykar”, countries such as Hungary, Belarus, Bulgaria and the Czech Republic can follow the example of Poland by buying the “Bayraktar TB2” drones soon. This would expand Turkey’s influence.
From Poland to Ukraine: Geopolitical Impacts of Defense Exports
The timing of the aforementioned agreement between Turkey and Poland and possible similar agreements in the near future is not accidental. Turkey has been under a lot of pressure from the US over the purchase of the Russian S-400 air defense system.
In this sense, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is aiming to consolidate Turkey’s regional position, by increasing its power vis-.-Vis its key NATO allies. With US priorities in the Middle East severely limited under President Joe Biden compared to the 2000s, and with Washington’s perception of Russia as a permanent threat, Erdogan is aiming to adapt the Turkish strategy accordingly.
Turkey’s emergence as a significant regional player, which can function with its Turkish counterpart as a balance to Moscow, certainly carries more strategic perspectives than the current role of a simple local military and logistical base.
Ankara sold a number of Bayraktar TB2 drums to Ukraine through a partnership established in 2019. As Keivi seeks to join the EU and NATO, Turkey is seeking to take advantage of the current opportunity. Crimean Tatars, a Muslim minority of ethnic Turkish origin who are said to be being oppressed under the current Russian-controlled regime in the Crimean Peninsula, have caught the attention of Turkey.
By boosting Ukraine’s defense capabilities in its fight to retake Crimea, Ankara can be described as a benevolent force of a local oppressed population with common roots. Exporting Turkish drone technology to countries that constitute an area of unique strategic importance to Moscow – Poland, the Baltic states, Ukraine and possibly Belarus – would give Ankara a significant advantage in any negotiations with the US and other NATO allies. .
