Turkish UAVs and European Union Political Solidarity at Stake: An Analysis of Turkish Military Expenditures 2009 - 2024

Abstract

For the first time, NATO’s European allies in 2024 will spend 2% of their collective GDP on defense. Among the European member countries, falls also Turkey. Despite Turkey’s nonachievement to meet NATO’s obligation, i.e spend 2% of its GDP on defense for the last 15 years, as regards Alliance’s other obligation, Ankara managed to spend more than 20% of its defense budget on major equipment, research and development. Crucial role played Ankara’s decision to invest on the production of UAVs. Moreover, Turkey through the coproduction of Turkish UAVs with other counties increased its overall arms exports. The purchases of Turkish UAVs from certain EU member states raises the question whether there is a violation of mutual political solidarity among member states, which constitutes one of the cornerstones of the principle of EU solidarity. The purpose of this article is to indicate the Turkish military expenditures from 2009 - 2024 in the context of its NATO obligations based on quantitative data. Also, the article highlights Turkey’s volition to become a worldwide UAV manufacturer. Finally, the article analyses the challenges for mutual political solidarity among EU member states due to the purchases of Turkish UAVs by certain EU member states.