European Security Architecture and Türkiye’s Strategic Security Capacity

According to the news published on SavunmaSanayiST.com on September 12, 2025, European security is going through its most fragile period since the Cold War because of the current crises. The migration crises caused by problems in the East and Africa, the energy crisis triggered by Russia’s gas cuts, the security crisis created by the Russia-Ukraine war, and the COVID-19 pandemic have all tested Europe’s security system. The article states that with its growing defense industry capacity, Türkiye can take a more central role in the European security structure during this period.

Where Is the European Security Architecture Going?

After the Cold War, the European security system was built mainly around NATO. In recent years, it has been tested by many different types of threats. The differences in security understanding among member countries, the lack of enough defense budgets, and the problems in ammunition supply chains are seen as the main weaknesses of the system. Therefore, it is becoming harder to clearly define what the European security architecture means today.

            •          The Russia-Ukraine war showed Europe’s big shortages in artillery ammunition, air defense missiles, and unmanned systems.

            •          Because EU countries sent a lot of their resources to support Ukraine, their own stockpiles decreased seriously. This situation made supply chain security and joint production mechanisms a top priority.

The European Union wants to become more independent and stronger in defense by using programs like the European Defence Fund (EDF), PESCO, and the EDIRPA (European Defence Industry Reinforcement through Common Procurement Act). However, these projects have not yet reached a level where they can create a strong and scalable military capacity.

Defense Industry Opportunities in Türkiye-EU Relations

In the last 20 years, Türkiye has developed important products in areas such as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), smart munitions and missiles, armored land vehicles, naval platforms, air defense systems, and electronic warfare solutions. With this wide range of products, Türkiye has become an important defense industry actor in the world. The partnership between BAYKAR and the Italian defense company Leonardo, which created LBA Türkiye, is a clear example showing that Türkiye can be a strong and valuable partner in Europe’s defense industry.

Also, Türkiye’s position in NATO, its role in Black Sea security, and its strategic location on energy routes create new opportunities for cooperation with the EU. In addition, joint R&D projects, technology transfer, and supply chain cooperation between Türkiye and the EU could support Europe’s goals for greater independence in defense.

Conclusion

In the new global system, security depends not only on defense capacity but also on stable, sustainable power and constant deterrence. In this sense, Türkiye’s abilities—especially in unmanned aerial systems, air defense, and production capacity—can make it a key player in Europe’s future defense strategies.

News Link

SavunmaSanayiST. (2025, September 12). Avrupa güvenlik mimarisi ve Türkiye’nin stratejik güvenlik kapasitesi. Retrieved October 24, 2025, from https://www.savunmasanayist.com/avrupa-guvenlik-mimarisi-ve-turkiyenin-stratejik-guvenlik-kapasitesi/