Erdogan Gifts Vintage Revolvers to NATO Leaders

During a NATO summit held in Ankara, Turkey, on Wednesday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan presented vintage revolvers as parting gifts to NATO leaders. Each revolver, including a rare .357 Magnum produced by Turkish arms maker MKE in the 1990s, was accompanied by live ammunition.

The gifts were intended to highlight Turkey's defense industry and its significance in foreign policy. Notably, Lithuanian President Gitana Nauseda received a revolver, while Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez's spokesperson confirmed that Sanchez received a model engraved with his name.

Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever's revolver was secured at Brussels Airport pending customs clearance. Other leaders, including British Labour leader Keir Starmer and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, also received revolvers.

The Turkish handgun industry, primarily focused on semi-automatic weapons, is the third-largest exporter of small arms globally, with exports totaling $3 billion from 2019 to 2024.