Germany resumes major arms exports to Türkiye in policy shift.

According to information published by Der Spiegel on October 6, 2024, the German government has approved significant arms exports to Turkey for the first time in years, signaling a potential shift in policy.
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German-built Turkish Type 209 submarine TCG Anafartalar at the Pasha Liman naval base. (Picture source: Turkish MFA)

Germany's Federal Security Council recently authorized arms deliveries worth hundreds of millions of euros to Turkey, a NATO partner. The deals include 100 ship-based air defense missiles and torpedoes for the Turkish Navy, as well as material packages for modernizing Turkish submarines and frigates.

Among the approved items are 100 RAM missiles for air defense, valued at approximately 100 million euros, and 28 SeaHake torpedoes from Thyssenkrupp, costing around 156 million euros. Additionally, 79 million euros will be spent on materials to modernize Turkey's Type U209 submarines, while motor parts for Turkish corvettes and frigates have been cleared for delivery at 1.9 million euros. Altogether, the approvals are estimated at about 336 million euros.

This decision marks a notable departure from Germany's previous stance, where arms exports to Turkey were drastically reduced in recent years due to concerns over Turkey's domestic policies under President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and its increasingly strained relationship with NATO. Berlin had restricted weapons deals, citing Turkey's controversial foreign policy moves, including its alignment with Russia and China through initiatives like BRICS and its ties with Hamas.

Türkiye - Germany relations

One prominent area of cooperation has been Turkey's involvement in the European Sky Shield Initiative (ESSI), a German-led project aimed at integrating Europe's missile defense systems. Turkey formally joined this initiative in early 2024.

Additionally, discussions continue regarding Turkey's potential purchase of Eurofighter jets from Germany, though this deal remains subject to political negotiation.

These defense ties are further supported by Germany’s strategic interest in strengthening NATO’s southern flank, particularly in the Black Sea region, where Turkey plays a pivotal role as a key NATO ally with significant naval capabilities​.