Turkey Strengthens Defense Ties with Spain and Italy, Alarming Greece Amid Regional Tensions
August 19, 2025
Spain has agreed to delay its Eurofighter jet deliveries to prioritize sending 40 aircraft to Turkey, including both new and secondhand models, and supports Turkish aerospace initiatives.
Turkey’s defense industry relations with Italy include the acquisition of Piaggio Aerospace by Baykar and partnerships with Leonardo on satellites, helicopters, and missile systems.
Turkish firms are actively producing small arms, munitions, aircraft parts, and missiles in collaboration with Italian companies, strengthening bilateral military cooperation.
Turkey and Spain maintain a strong naval partnership, demonstrated by joint projects such as constructing a warship similar to Spain's Juan Carlos I and Turkey's TCG Anadolu, along with Spain’s support for Turkey’s procurement of additional Eurofighter jets.
Despite Turkey’s threats against Greece and Cyprus, Spain and Italy continue to deepen their defense and diplomatic relations with Ankara, highlighting a complex regional dynamic.
Turkey's increasing cooperation with Spain and Italy has heightened Greek concerns, especially regarding military and diplomatic developments in the region.
Turkey and Spain have collaborated on developing a 300-meter national aircraft carrier called MUGEM, signaling a shift in Turkish naval strategy toward power projection.
Turkey’s strategic engagement extends into Libya through cooperation with Italy, while Spain aligns with Turkey on Middle East policies, reflecting broader regional collaboration.
Turkey is strengthening its defense and strategic ties with Spain and Italy, which has raised concerns for Greece amid ongoing disputes with Ankara and other EU nations.
Turkey's naval capabilities are advancing through projects like the helicopter carrier Anadolu, modeled after Spain’s Juan Carlos, exemplifying close naval cooperation with Spain.
Turkey’s cooperation with Spain and Italy encompasses regional issues beyond defense, including joint stances on Libya and Middle East policies, indicating a strategic regional alignment.
Greek media, particularly Kathimerini, is scrutinizing Turkey’s recent strengthening of defense and diplomatic ties with Spain and Italy, despite ongoing disagreements with the European Union.
Italy’s relationship with Turkey features Baykar’s acquisition of Piaggio Aerospace for UAV technology, joint drone development with Leonardo, and various co-production agreements for military hardware.
Summary based on 2 sources
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Sources

kathimerini.gr • Aug 18, 2025
Turkey’s deepening ties with Italy, Spain
Haberler.com • Aug 19, 2025
Turkey's deepening cooperation with Spain and Italy has raised concerns in Greece.