-
France Leads… New European Decision Deepens Turkey’s Isolation in the Defense Industry
-
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.
You May Also Like
Popular Posts
Caricature
BENEFIT Sponsors BuildHer...
- April 23, 2025
BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, has sponsored the BuildHer CityHack 2025 Hackathon, a two-day event spearheaded by the College of Engineering and Technology at the Royal University for Women (RUW).
Aimed at secondary school students, the event brought together a distinguished group of academic professionals and technology experts to mentor and inspire young participants.
More than 100 high school students from across the Kingdom of Bahrain took part in the hackathon, which featured an intensive programme of training workshops and hands-on sessions. These activities were tailored to enhance participants’ critical thinking, collaborative problem-solving, and team-building capabilities, while also encouraging the development of practical and sustainable solutions to contemporary challenges using modern technological tools.
BENEFIT’s Chief Executive Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi, commented: “Our support for this educational hackathon reflects our long-term strategic vision to nurture the talents of emerging national youth and empower the next generation of accomplished female leaders in technology. By fostering creativity and innovation, we aim to contribute meaningfully to Bahrain’s comprehensive development goals and align with the aspirations outlined in the Kingdom’s Vision 2030—an ambition in which BENEFIT plays a central role.”
Professor Riyadh Yousif Hamzah, President of the Royal University for Women, commented: “This initiative reflects our commitment to advancing women in STEM fields. We're cultivating a generation of creative, solution-driven female leaders who will drive national development. Our partnership with BENEFIT exemplifies the powerful synergy between academia and private sector in supporting educational innovation.”
Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager, PR & Communication at BENEFIT, said: “We are honoured to collaborate with RUW in supporting this remarkable technology-focused event. It highlights our commitment to social responsibility, and our ongoing efforts to enhance the digital and innovation capabilities of young Bahraini women and foster their ability to harness technological tools in the service of a smarter, more sustainable future.”
For his part, Dr. Humam ElAgha, Acting Dean of the College of Engineering and Technology at the University, said: “BuildHer CityHack 2025 embodies our hands-on approach to education. By tackling real-world problems through creative thinking and sustainable solutions, we're preparing women to thrive in the knowledge economy – a cornerstone of the University's vision.”
opinion
Report
ads
Newsletter
Subscribe to our mailing list to get the new updates!