Turkey (Washington Insider Magazine) – ANKARA, Turkey — China is poised for a significant presence at Turkey’s biennial defense conference this month. Seventy-four Chinese firms are set to participate in the International Defence Industry Fair (IDEF), scheduled from July 25-28 in Istanbul, highlighting China’s growing interest in Turkish defense capabilities. In contrast, only five American companies are signed up for the event.
According to Ozgur Eksi, head of the media outlet TurDef, the Chinese delegation aims to identify Turkish companies that align with their long-term strategic goals. Eksi noted,
“After acquisitions, they will bring in their technology, enjoy low production costs in Turkey, produce NATO-standard systems, and target markets that utilize NATO systems.”
Security and defense analyst Eugene Kogan suggests that Chinese businesses view Turkish firms as viable targets for acquisition, particularly to enhance sales to NATO member countries.
“I foresee cooperation between China and Turkey in Africa, where both nations seek to diminish foreign competition,”
Kogan stated. He believes that China is specifically interested in acquiring second-tier Turkish defense companies, where Western expertise can be merged with Chinese resources.
As IDEF 2024 approaches, the partnership between China and Turkey may lead to significant shifts in the defense industry landscape, potentially impacting NATO markets and regional security dynamics.
