The Federal Security Council of Germany recently approved the delivery of hundreds of millions of euros worth of German weapons to Turkey, which has come under increased scrutiny for its controversial geopolitical and domestic policies. The first major Turkish-German arms deal in years could signal a shift in the two countries’ relationship, it’s suggested.
The approved exports include 100 anti-aircraft missiles and torpedoes for the Turkish navy, as well as major modernisation packages for Turkey’s submarines and frigates. The deals, published by the German Ministry of Economics, show that missile manufacturer MBDA will supply 100 RAM missiles, worth around €100 million. In addition, Thyssenkrupp will supply 28 SeaHake torpedoes for a total of €156 million, according to Der Spiegel.
The total value of the approvals is expected to be around €336 million, in stark contrast to previous years, when Germany significantly curtailed arms exports to Turkey. According to Der Spiegel, Berlin had previously restricted arms exports to Turkey because it considered the country a “problematic ally” due to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s “autocratic” leadership and particularly “harsh stance” towards the Kurds, as well as his support for Hamas in the course of Israel’s ongoing war on Gaza.
In 2023, only 17 minor export projects worth €1.22 million were approved, a trend that continued into 2024, with only €23 million approved in the first quarter.
As a key transit country for migrants heading to the EU, Erdoğan has often used his influence over migration flows to pursue his political goals. Scholz has been negotiating with Erdoğan to facilitate faster deportations of people required to leave Germany, with Interior Minister Nancy Faeser announcing an agreement to make returns to Turkey faster and more effective.
“Chancellor Scholz is aware of Erdoğan’s manoeuvres,” Faeser is quoted as saying, highlighting the complex dynamics at play. However, Erdoğan has dismissed reports of deportation deals as “unfounded allegations”, raising questions about the viability of such deals.
Nevertheless, the implications of this renewed arms cooperation could have significant repercussions for both Turkey and its relationship with the EU. A German official is quoted as saying: “The change in arms policy underlines the balancing act between security cooperation with Turkey and the need to address ethical concerns about the government’s actions.”
Turkey’s military actions in northern Syria and Iraq in recent years have resulted in hundreds of deaths and the displacement of hundreds of thousands of civilians. They have also led to forced displacement and increased risks of torture, a UN official recently warned, raising further concerns about Germany’s decision to resume sales to the government.
