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France Leads… New European Decision Deepens Turkey’s Isolation in the Defense Industry
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The EU’s decision to exclude Turkish companies exacerbates Ankara’s isolation in the defense sector, limiting its opportunities to benefit from advanced European investments

In a move reflecting escalating tensions between the European Union and Turkey, the European Commission has decided to exclude Turkish companies from a massive €150 billion defense funding program unless Ankara signs a security agreement with Brussels.
The decision is part of a new EU policy restricting funding to companies within the bloc or in third countries that have formal defense agreements with the European Union.
According to the proposal presented on Wednesday, Turkey will not be able to benefit from EU funding to develop its defense systems unless it reaches an agreement with the EU on security and defense cooperation.
Additionally, Turkish companies will be barred from manufacturing or developing weapons systems under EU funding if they have any technical or sovereign links to a non-EU country.
Implications of the Decision on Turkey:
A blow to Turkey’s defense industry, which has expanded significantly over the past decade, particularly in drones, armored vehicles, and guided missiles.
Reduced opportunities for Turkish-European military cooperation, despite past defense partnerships with countries like Italy and Spain.
Increased Turkish isolation in the European market, potentially pushing Ankara to strengthen defense ties with Russia and China or seek alternatives in the Middle East and Asia.
Complications in Turkey’s NATO relations, given ongoing tensions between Ankara and European capitals over political and military issues.
The decision is seen as a victory for France, which has been leading efforts to reduce Europe’s reliance on non-EU countries in defense, but it faces opposition from countries like Germany and Italy, which maintain strong defense ties with Turkey. However, the proposal still requires majority approval among EU member states, amid divisions over how strictly it should be applied to allied nations like Turkey.
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This strategic sponsorship reflects BENEFIT’s active role in advancing technological innovation and fostering sustainable solutions to future challenges. It also seeks to empower Bahraini youth by enhancing their skills, capabilities, and competitiveness in innovation and solution development—contributing meaningfully to the broader goals of sustainable development across all sectors.
As part of BENEFIT’s active involvement in the competition, the company has announced that Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager of Public Relations and Communication, will serve on the competition’s supervisory committee. Her upcoming participation reflects BENEFIT’s forward-looking commitment to championing academic and professional excellence.
Commenting on the occasion, Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager of Public Relations and Communication at BENEFIT, said, “We are privileged to support this pioneering initiative, which aligns seamlessly with BENEFIT’s enduring commitment to fostering innovation and nurturing the potential of Bahrain’s youth. Our participation is rooted in a deep sense of social responsibility and a firm belief in the pivotal role of innovation in shaping a sustainable future. Through such platforms, we seek to empower the next generation with the knowledge, skills, and foresight required to develop impactful solutions that address future challenges, in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 2030.”
Dr. Aseel Al Ayash Dean of the College of Engineering in Gulf University commented, “We extend our sincere gratitude to BENEFIT for their generous sponsorship and support of the Innovation and Sustainable Technology Solutions Competition. This contribution plays an instrumental role in helping us achieve the strategic goals of this initiative, namely, cultivating a culture of innovation and sustainability, encouraging efforts that address the imperatives of sustainable development, and enhancing the practical and professional capabilities of our students and participants.”
The event will bring together a diverse spectrum of participants, including secondary school students, university undergraduates, engineers, industry professionals, entrepreneurs, academic researchers, and subject matter experts representing a wide range of disciplines.
The competition seeks to inspire participants to develop and present innovative, sustainable technologies aimed at addressing pressing environmental, social, and economic challenges. It encourages the formulation of business models that integrate advanced technological solutions with core principles of sustainability. Moreover, it serves as a platform for emerging leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators to contribute to the advancement of the Sustainable Development Goals, promote the ethos of responsible technology, and demonstrate its transformative potential across various sectors.
Attendees will have the opportunity to view a series of project presentations submitted by participants, covering diverse areas such as eco-friendly product design, smart and sustainable innovations, renewable energy technologies, water conservation and management, waste minimisation and recycling, green architectural solutions, and sustainable transportation systems. Outstanding projects will be formally recognised and awarded at the conclusion of the event.
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