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Türkiye is weighing the purchase of SAMP-T and Patriot air defense systems as part of a broader push to strengthen its defenses, Defense Minister Yasar Guler told Reutersahead of next week's NATO summit in Ankara.
Guler said NATO is adjusting to a shifting security landscape rather than facing a crisis.
"NATO continues to be an unparalleled and fundamental platform for Euro-Atlantic security and defence. We evaluate the period we are going through not as a crisis, but as a process of adjusting to the changing security environment," Guler said in written responses to Reuters' questions.
Guler said Türkiye is considering all available options to bolster its air defense capabilities, including the purchase of SAMP-T and Patriot systems, according to Reuters.
The minister also said Türkiye aims to meet all NATO capability targets by 2029.
Guler said the United States has no intention of withdrawing from NATO, but wants European allies and Canada to take on greater responsibility for the continent's security.
He said this expanded European role must include Türkiye in its defense plans and initiatives.
Türkiye will host 32 NATO leaders, along with officials from the Gulf and Asia-Pacific region, in Ankara on July 7-8, amid tensions within the alliance over burden-sharing, defense spending, and U.S. complaints about allies' limited involvement in reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
Guler said the summit's agenda will center on alliance unity, evaluating allies' increased defense spending, strengthening defense industry cooperation, and increasing support for Ukraine.
Guler told Reuters that European defense initiatives are positive in principle but lack inclusivity, and that Türkiye should be involved in them.
He said Ankara should have a role in shaping European defense plans and initiatives going forward, given its military and industrial capacity.
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