Belgian defence industry looks to expand ties with Turkey during trade mission
A “defence day” bringing together Belgian and Turkish defence companies took place in Ankara on Wednesday as part of Belgium’s five-day economic mission to Turkey.
“For me, it is about contacts and contracts,” Belgian defence minister Theo Francken (N-VA) said at the opening of the event. He stated that Belgium is making major investments in defence. “We are implementing the largest budget increase of all NATO countries,” he said.
Several Belgian firms are already cooperating with Turkish partners, while others are looking to enter the market. Turkey has invested heavily in developing its own defence industry and now produces complete military systems domestically. “Nevertheless, we believe there is room for our industry to supply components,” said Antoon Boeykens of the Belgian security and defence industry federation (BSDI).
Belgian companies seek Turkish partnerships
Among the companies present was John Cockerill Defense, which produces weapon systems in Wallonia for military vehicles. During the mission, the company signed a letter of intent with Turkish vehicle manufacturer FNSS to deepen its cooperation.
“The letter of intent formalises a relationship we have had with them for some time,” CEO Thierry Renaudin said. The two companies already work together on exports to Indonesia, but John Cockerill Defense also wants to expand into Turkey itself. “That market is growing in the field of land systems. We heard that there is a need for medium-sized tanks. Our system is perfect for that,” Renaudin added.
Flemish firms are also hoping to strengthen ties. Intersoft Electronics, which develops civilian and military radar systems in Oostkamp, attended the event to raise its profile in what it described as “a gigantic market”.
“We are participating in the mission because we want to raise our profile in Turkey, a gigantic market of which we are only a minimal part,” said business development manager Mathijs Degryse.
Ghent-based start-up XO Advanced Systems, which develops laser systems to intercept drones and missiles, also announced a partnership with Turkish defence company Aselsan. “We want to collaborate with prominent defence companies to build solutions for defence mechanisms,” founder Thomas Van den Driessche said.
Debate over export rules
Arms exports to Turkey remain sensitive in Belgium and require regional export licences. In Flanders, Turkey was removed from a blacklist last year, although exports are still assessed on a case-by-case basis because of what the government describes as “heightened sensitivity”.
NGOs have accused Turkey of violating arms embargoes through supplies to countries including Libya, Sudan and Azerbaijan.
Flanders is currently preparing a new arms trade decree. The Flemish Peace Institute has warned that the reform could make exports to Turkey easier.
“Turkey itself exports to countries that are not obvious choices for Flanders,” researcher Diederik Cops said. “It is not bound by the same rules. For instance, they have not signed the Arms Trade Treaty.”
Flemish minister-president Matthias Diependaele (N-VA) rejected suggestions that the reform would weaken controls, saying it was intended as an administrative simplification only for low-risk exports. Turkey would not fall into that category, he said.
Wallonia also continues to restrict certain export licences to Turkey, according to Renaudin. Sector federation BSDI, meanwhile, called for more harmonised European rules to reduce fragmentation within the defence industry.
Minister of defence and foreign trade Theo Francken delivers a speech at a Turkish-Belgian Defence Industry Day, on the day four of a Belgian economic mission to Turkey, in Ankara, on Wednesday 13 May 2026. © BELGA PHOTO BENOIT DOPPAGNE
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