Turkey Strengthens Defense Ties with Spain and Italy, Alarming Greece Amid Regional Tensions

August 19, 2025
Turkey Strengthens Defense Ties with Spain and Italy, Alarming Greece Amid Regional Tensions
  • 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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