05.07.2026 15:50
It has been claimed that a new rapprochement in defense took place between Turkey and France ahead of the NATO Summit in Ankara. It was alleged that French President Emmanuel Macron instructed the reassessment of the joint production option for the French-Italian SAMP/T air defense system requested by Turkey. The report also stated that the two countries have increased their contacts to expand cooperation in the defense industry and security fields.
Relations between Turkey and France are back on the agenda ahead of the NATO Summit to be held in Ankara on July 7-8. After years of differences between the two countries, a new era of cooperation in defense industry and security fields may begin.
According to a report in Middle East Eye, contacts between Turkey and France have intensified ahead of the NATO Summit in Ankara. The report suggests that the Ankara and Paris administrations, which have clashed in the past over issues such as Syria, the Eastern Mediterranean, and Armenia, have recently sought a more constructive dialogue.
MACRON'S PREFERENCE FOR ERDOĞAN DRAWS ATTENTION
The report also included a striking detail from US President Donald Trump's press conference in Cairo last October. According to the claim, French President Emmanuel Macron preferred to sit next to President Erdoğan rather than stand behind Trump. This image was interpreted as a sign of a new era between the two leaders.
"TURKEY IS ONE OF THE KEY ACTORS IN EUROPEAN SECURITY"
A Western source cited in the report claimed that France sees Turkey as one of the key countries in Europe's future security architecture.
The same source argued that cooperation with Turkey will become even more important in the coming period within the framework of the "Coalition of the Willing," established under French leadership to strengthen Europe's security.
NEW COOPERATION CLAIM IN DEFENSE INDUSTRY
The report noted that significant developments could occur in defense industry between the two countries. Recalling National Defense Minister Yaşar Güler's statement that Turkey wants to purchase the French-Italian joint production SAMP/T air defense system, it was claimed that French President Macron ordered a reassessment of joint production options ahead of the NATO Summit.
BAYKAR AND SAFRAN DETAIL
The report also stated that a strategic cooperation agreement was signed between French defense company Safran and Baykar, and that Safran's Euroflir electro-optical systems will be used in Bayraktar TB2 unmanned aerial vehicles under this agreement.
Sources close to the French government also claimed that the Paris administration is evaluating new partnership opportunities with Turkey in unmanned aerial vehicle and helicopter technologies.