DEFENSE NEWS - Turkish Foreign Affairs More Involved in Defense Industry

Presidential Decree No. 1 regarding the organization of the Presidency of the Republic of Türkiye is continually evolving, having been amended no less than 57 times since its publication on July 10, 2018, in the Official Gazette of the Republic of Türkiye. The latest amendment, introduced by Presidential Decree No. 158 on April 6, 2024, assigns new responsibilities in defense industry to the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs department affected by these changes is the Directorate General for International Security (Uluslararası Güvenlik Genel Müdürlüğü), formerly known as the Directorate General for International Security Affairs (Uluslararası Güvenlik İşleri Genel Müdürlüğü). It is tasked with two new missions: intra-ministerial coordination of relations with third countries on defense and defense industry issues (Chapter 131, paragraph c); coordination, with relevant institutions and organizations, of matters concerning defense industrial relations with third countries (Chapter 131, paragraph ç).

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs' relationship with the Presidency of Defense Industries (Savunma Sanayii Başkanlığı – SSB) appears not to be clarified. Indeed, the organizational texts and charts of the Presidency of the Republic of Türkiye, under which both entities fall, do not indicate any hierarchical or subordinate link between them: the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is part of the presidential cabinet (which includes the Vice President of the Republic and the ministers), while the Presidency of Defense Industries is among the organizations directly affiliated with the Presidency of the Republic. As confirmed by its 2024-2028 strategic plan, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs "cooperates" (birlikte çalış), without imposing obligations, with the SSB through its central administration, embassies, permanent representations, and consulates general.

The Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs holds other prerogatives in the defense industry domain. It is tasked with promoting initiatives aimed at securing markets abroad, particularly in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean. It is highly likely that the mission statements of Turkish ambassadors posted in target countries include directives to this effect. However, the Minister is not part of the Defense Industry Executive Committee (Savunma Sanayii İcra Komitesi), which, under the presidency of the President of the Republic, convenes the Vice President of the Republic, the Minister of Budget and Economy, the Minister of Interior, the Minister of National Defense, the Minister of Industry and Technology, the Chief of General Staff, and the President of Defense Industry to decide on major policies and priority projects.

The SSB retains its responsibilities in international relations as its missions were not altered by Presidential Decree No. 158. These are managed by the International Cooperation Office (Uluslararası İşbirliği Daire Başkanlığı), directly reporting to the President of Defense Industries, focusing on foreign technology inputs, international financing and credits, foreign-capital companies, offset issues, and exports of Turkish defense industrial products. Furthermore, Presidential Decree No. 100 of June 1, 2022, enhances the SSB's presence abroad by establishing 9 defense industrial advisor positions (Savunma Sanayii Müşaviri) in Qatar, Pakistan, Brazil, Indonesia, Azerbaijan, Malaysia, Oman, Bangladesh, and the United Kingdom, countries traditionally close or with high potential for cooperation.

Article written by Patrice MOYEUVRE, General Officer in 2s of the French Air and Space Force, researcher at IRIS and Director of defense and security projects within Advantis.