Erdoğan says Türkiye aims to meet NATO spending goal early

ANKARA

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan speaks during the plenary session at the NATO summit in Ankara, Türkiye, July 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has said Türkiye aims to meet NATO’s 5 percent defense and security-related spending target by 2030, five years ahead of the alliance’s 2035 deadline.

Speaking at the 36th NATO Summit of Heads of State and Government in Ankara, Erdoğan said Türkiye had taken steps to raise its defense spending to 3.5 percent before 2030.

He said Ankara had already reached a 1.5 percent budget share in spending linked to security and resilience.

“Thus, we aim to reach the 5 percent target five years before the 2035 deadline set at The Hague,” Erdoğan said.

He said Türkiye’s main achievement was in its defense industry.

“Undoubtedly, our country’s real success is its breakthrough in the defense industry,” Erdoğan said.

He said Türkiye had entered the world’s top 10 countries in terms of defense production and export capacity.

Erdoğan said Türkiye was also preparing to meet almost all of the 361 capability targets assigned to it by NATO within three years and ahead of schedule.

He said Ankara had allocated an additional $24 billion for the Steel Dome project, which is aimed at strengthening air and missile defense capabilities.

“As the country with the largest land army in Europe, we are working to make our capabilities available to the alliance when needed,” Erdoğan said.

He pointed to Türkiye’s contributions to NATO operations, missions and exercises in Kosovo, the Black Sea, the Baltics and other regions.

Erdoğan also said Türkiye hoped to accredit its planned Counter-Unmanned Systems Center of Excellence to NATO, saying the center would support the alliance’s response to air and maritime drone threats.

The president called for the removal of restrictions among allies in defense cooperation, particularly in the defense industry.

He also warned European Union member allies against steps that could weaken NATO unity as Europe takes on more responsibility for its own defense.

“When a cooperation model required by reason and logic is possible, excluding non-EU allies would waste limited resources and create an artificial division in Europe,” Erdoğan said.

On Ukraine, Erdoğan said Türkiye shared U.S. President Donald Trump’s vision for peace and supported the priority needs list initiative for Ukraine.

“We will continue our contribution to Ukraine,” he said, adding that Türkiye was also using its communication channels with Russia to encourage peace.

Erdoğan said Türkiye appreciated Trump’s stance in efforts to move the Iran crisis toward a solution.

“In addition to our diplomatic efforts, we are ready to make the necessary contribution to clearing mines from the Strait of Hormuz,” he said.

He also said the Middle East needed a two-state solution and that all parties had responsibilities in ensuring calm in Gaza and Lebanon.

“We must be in full solidarity in the fight against all forms and manifestations of terrorism,” Erdoğan said.