Arms at the Frontier

Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik · Sep 14, 2026

Turkey’s defence engagement in Africa is often read through the lens of geopolitics, drone use, and conflict dynamics. Yet the deeper story is industrial and strategic. Africa remains central to Turkey’s defence-export strategy because it helps resolve structural pressures within Turkey’s defence-industrial ecosystem by sustaining pro­duction, easing competitive pressures, and creating external demand for an increasingly export-dependent industry. As Turkish and European companies become more closely connected, these dynamics will increasingly matter for Germany and the European Union (EU)…