09.07.2026 10:31
The 36th NATO Summit of Heads of State and Government, hosted by Ankara, concluded with decisions that shifted global power balances. The leadership diplomacy conducted under President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan brought historic gains for Türkiye in many critical areas, from the defense industry to free trade. Additionally, nine countries, including Türkiye, took action to establish a joint bank that will provide easier and lower-cost resources for defense investments.
The capital Ankara hosted world leaders for two days, becoming the epicenter of global diplomacy. The most talked-about headline of the summit, which shaped NATO's "NATO 3.0" vision and new strategic concept, was Turkey's robust diplomatic traffic with its allies and the concrete results achieved.
REGIONAL BALANCE-SHIFTING STEPS FROM THE ERDOĞAN - TRUMP MEETING
One of the summit's most critical meetings took place between President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and US President Donald Trump. In their bilateral talks, historic steps were taken on long-stalled defense and security issues:
CAATSA LIFTED, NEW ERA FOR F-35
While a will was expressed to lift CAATSA sanctions imposed on Turkey, a new and positive chapter was opened regarding the F-35 fighter jet program.
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ENGINE APPROVAL FOR KAAN
All obstacles in the engine supply process for Turkey's domestically and nationally developed 5th generation fighter jet, KAAN, were removed.
EMBARGOES LIFTED IN DEFENSE INDUSTRY, SIGNATURES MADE
President Erdoğan's determined call to remove overt or covert restrictions among allies was directly reflected in the NATO Summit Final Declaration. With this development, many Europe-based defense restrictions were overcome:
SAMP/T STEP FROM FRANCE
France changed its long-standing negative stance regarding Turkey's procurement of the Eurosam-produced SAMP/T air defense system and provided flexibility.
GERMANY PUTS TURKISH MISSILES ON ITS RADAR
Germany added the long-range missile systems developed by the Turkish defense industry to its procurement and cooperation agenda.
DEFENSE AGREEMENT WITH THE UK
New partnership and procurement agreements worth billions of liras were signed with the UK in the fields of defense industry and military technology.
RAISING TARGETS FROM DIPLOMACY TO ECONOMY
The Ankara Summit stood out not only with military collaborations but also with economic moves:
FREE TRADE AGREEMENT WITH CANADA
Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations between Turkey and Canada were officially launched.
BILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN COOPERATION FROM DEFENSE INDUSTRY GIANTS
During the summit, Turkish defense industry giants signed cooperation protocols worth millions of dollars with their international partners in bilateral meetings.
JOINT BANK MOVE FROM 9 COUNTRIES
Additionally, 9 countries, including Turkey, took action for a joint bank that will provide easier and lower-cost resources for defense investments.
In the initiative announced by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, besides Turkey, Canada, Albania, Belgium, Greece, Latvia, Luxembourg, Romania, and Ukraine were included.
The Defense, Security and Resilience Bank, planned to be established in Canada, is expected to provide financing of up to 100 billion pounds.