Erdogan Calls for NATO to Lift Defense Restrictions

During a NATO leaders' summit in Ankara, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called for the removal of restrictions on defense cooperation among NATO allies. Erdogan highlighted Turkey's position as NATO's second-largest army and its role as a major developer and exporter of military equipment.

He urged for greater inclusion in European defense initiatives, particularly regarding Turkey's exclusion from the European Security Initiative and the Safe Fund scheme. Erdogan also discussed the potential sale of Lockheed Martin's F-35 Lightning II fighter jets to Turkey, although he acknowledged that this move might face opposition in the U.S.

Congress. Additionally, he announced an allocation of an additional $24 billion for Turkey's Steel Dome air defense project, aimed at strengthening NATO's air and missile defense capabilities.

Erdogan emphasized the need for collective defense within NATO to preserve the alliance's unity.