Erdoğan says Turkey's arms industry could benefit from US elections

Turkish President Erdoğan has stated that a potential shift in the U.S. administration following November's presidential election could benefit Turkey's expanding defense industry.

Sunday July 21 2024 02:40 pm

Erdoğan gives a speech in Cyprus.

Reuters

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan believes a potential change in the U.S. administration after November's election may be positive for Turkey's growing defense industry, he was quoted as saying by Turkish media on July 20.

"We think that the U.S. elections will have a determining role in this. We will see separately what kinds of steps can be taken with the election results, but I think that the needle is turning in Turkey's favor," he was quoted by state-run TRT as telling reporters on a return flight from northern Cyprus.

Stung by past arms-related sanctions by the United States and other NATO allies, Turkey has pushed to develop its own sector including building drones, naval ships and aircraft. Erdoğan was also quoted as saying that Western countries are placing orders for Turkish armed drones, though he did not name them.

Republican former president Donald Trump is leading incumbent Democratic President Joe Biden in some polls ahead of November U.S. presidential elections.

While Erdoğan was said to have had good personal ties with Trump during his presidential term, the Trump Administration imposed sanctions on Turkey's defense procurement body in 2020 over Ankara's earlier purchase of Russian air defenses.