Canada is accelerating efforts to deepen defense and industrial cooperation with Turkey as global geopolitical dynamics continue to evolve and traditional alliances undergo significant transformation. The push for stronger bilateral ties was made clear during SAHA Expo 2026, where Canadian Secretary of State for Defense Procurement Stephen Fuhr described Turkey as both a trusted ally and an increasingly valuable strategic partner.
Fuhr’s remarks highlighted a broader shift in international defense policy. As uncertainty grows regarding the long-term role of major global powers in maintaining international security, middle powers such as Canada and Turkey are increasingly looking toward one another to build resilient partnerships capable of supporting regional stability, defense production and technological innovation.
During his first official visit to Turkey, Fuhr emphasized that nations with similar strategic interests can no longer rely entirely on traditional security structures. Instead, countries with advanced industrial capabilities and growing military technologies must work together to address emerging threats and defense requirements.
According to Fuhr, middle powers now have an opportunity to create stronger collective influence in international security matters through cooperation, co-development programs and industrial integration.
Why Canada Sees Turkey as a Strategic Defense Partner
Turkey’s rapid rise as a defense manufacturing powerhouse has attracted international attention over the past decade. From unmanned aerial systems to advanced naval technologies and ammunition production, Ankara has successfully built an indigenous defense ecosystem that many countries now study closely.
For Canada, Turkey represents more than just a procurement option. Ottawa views Ankara as a country that has successfully achieved what many Western nations are still struggling to accomplish: a largely self-sufficient defense industrial base capable of innovating at speed.
Fuhr specifically praised Turkey’s advancements in several high-demand sectors including drones, counter-drone systems, autonomous platforms and munitions manufacturing. These areas are increasingly critical as modern warfare evolves toward highly mobile, technology-driven operations.
Turkey’s success in reducing dependence on foreign suppliers also makes it particularly attractive to Canada at a time when supply chain security has become a central issue in defense planning.
Turkey’s Drone Industry Draws Canadian Interest
One of the most significant areas of potential cooperation involves unmanned systems. Turkey has emerged as one of the world’s leading drone manufacturers, with Turkish-made unmanned aerial vehicles gaining global recognition for their operational performance and affordability.
Canada’s defense planners are especially interested in how Turkey rapidly developed drone technologies while simultaneously building supporting ecosystems that include sensors, communications systems, artificial intelligence integration and autonomous targeting capabilities.
Fuhr acknowledged that drones and counter-drone technologies are among the most obvious sectors where both countries could rapidly build collaborative programs.
The growing importance of drone warfare has transformed defense priorities worldwide. Modern conflicts have demonstrated that unmanned systems are no longer supplementary battlefield tools but essential components of military operations. This reality is forcing many NATO members, including Canada, to accelerate investments in autonomous technologies.
Turkey’s expertise could help Canada shorten development timelines while strengthening domestic industrial capacity.
Ammunition Production Emerges as a Critical Area
Another major sector attracting Canadian attention is ammunition production. The global increase in defense spending and prolonged international conflicts have exposed weaknesses in Western ammunition stockpiles and manufacturing capacity.
Fuhr identified ammunition production as one of the clearest opportunities for cooperation between Ottawa and Ankara. Turkey’s ability to scale domestic production while maintaining strategic independence has become particularly valuable in today’s security environment.
Canada is now seeking partnerships that not only provide immediate capability but also contribute to long-term industrial resilience. Rather than relying exclusively on foreign purchases, Ottawa hopes to develop co-production agreements that stimulate domestic manufacturing while strengthening allied supply chains.
This approach aligns with Canada’s broader strategy of balancing urgent procurement needs with long-term industrial development goals.
The Shift From Past Tensions to Future Cooperation
The growing partnership between Canada and Turkey is particularly noteworthy given the diplomatic tensions that existed between the two countries only a few years ago.
Between 2019 and early 2024, Canada imposed restrictions on arms exports to Turkey and suspended several export permits, effectively creating a de facto weapons embargo. The restrictions emerged from political disputes and concerns surrounding regional conflicts.
However, Fuhr made it clear that Ottawa is now focused on future collaboration rather than revisiting earlier disagreements.
During discussions in Turkey, he emphasized that officials from both countries concentrated almost entirely on practical cooperation and strategic alignment. According to Fuhr, no significant attention was given to past disputes during his meetings.
This change reflects a broader geopolitical reality. As global instability increases, many countries are reassessing former disagreements in favor of building partnerships capable of addressing urgent security challenges.
NATO Unity and Shared Strategic Interests
Canada and Turkey are both NATO members, but their relationship is now evolving beyond standard alliance obligations. Ottawa increasingly sees Ankara as a technologically capable partner that can contribute to collective defense modernization.
Turkey’s geographic position also adds strategic value. Located at the crossroads of Europe, the Middle East and the Black Sea region, Ankara plays a critical role in regional security dynamics. Canada’s interest in strengthening ties with Turkey therefore carries both industrial and geopolitical significance.
The renewed cooperation also signals a broader trend within NATO where member states are expanding bilateral industrial partnerships alongside traditional military coordination.
Canada’s New Defense Industrial Strategy Explained
At the center of Ottawa’s evolving defense policy is a newly adopted Defence Industrial Strategy designed to accelerate military procurement while simultaneously strengthening Canada’s domestic industrial base.
Fuhr described the strategy using a simple framework: build, partner and buy.
This approach recognizes that Canada cannot rely on a single procurement model to address modern defense requirements. In some situations, immediate purchases are necessary to fill urgent capability gaps. In others, co-development programs and industrial partnerships offer better long-term value.
Build, Partner and Buy Strategy
The “build, partner, buy” model reflects Canada’s attempt to create a more flexible procurement system.
If military needs are immediate, Canada may choose direct acquisitions from trusted international partners. However, for technologies that can be developed over time, Ottawa prefers collaborative projects that strengthen domestic expertise and industrial infrastructure.
This strategy is designed to avoid overdependence on foreign suppliers while ensuring that Canadian industry remains competitive in emerging defense technologies.
Turkey’s industrial capabilities fit naturally into this framework because Ankara has demonstrated success in rapid technology development, local manufacturing and export growth.
Canada’s New Defence Investment Agency
Another major component of Ottawa’s modernization effort is the creation of a new Defence Investment Agency aimed at accelerating innovation and industrial partnerships.
The agency is expected to support foreign direct investment, encourage technological collaboration and streamline defense-related industrial development.
Fuhr also promoted Canada as a stable and attractive investment destination, highlighting the country’s financial system, political environment and investment-friendly policies.
By encouraging international defense companies to invest in Canada, Ottawa hopes to strengthen domestic manufacturing capacity while integrating Canadian firms into global supply chains.
Turkey’s Defense Industry Gains International Recognition
Turkey’s defense sector has undergone remarkable growth over the past two decades. Once heavily dependent on foreign military imports, the country now produces a wide range of advanced systems domestically.
This transformation has positioned Turkey among a relatively small group of countries with mature and diversified defense ecosystems.
Fuhr compared Turkey’s industrial progress to nations such as South Korea and France, both of which are recognized for strong indigenous defense capabilities and export-oriented production models.
Indigenous Innovation Drives Turkish Success
One of the key factors behind Turkey’s defense expansion has been its focus on indigenous innovation. Turkish firms have invested heavily in research and development while benefiting from strong government support and long-term strategic planning.
This combination has allowed Turkish companies to produce increasingly sophisticated military technologies across multiple domains including aerospace, naval systems, armored vehicles and electronic warfare.
For Canada, Turkey’s development offers practical lessons on how to build industrial independence while remaining integrated within international alliances.
Supply Chain Independence Becomes a Strategic Priority
The importance of supply chain independence has grown dramatically following recent global crises and conflicts. Many countries now recognize the risks associated with relying heavily on external suppliers for critical defense components.
Turkey’s experience in developing domestic alternatives has become especially relevant for nations seeking greater resilience in defense production.
Canada’s interest in Turkey therefore reflects not only admiration for Ankara’s technological achievements but also recognition of the strategic advantages associated with industrial self-sufficiency.
Economic Cooperation Could Expand Beyond Defense
Defense cooperation may eventually open the door to broader economic integration between Canada and Turkey.
Fuhr pointed to ongoing discussions surrounding a possible free trade agreement and noted that high-level political engagement between the two governments is expected to continue.
Planned visits involving senior political leaders, including Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, indicate that both countries are seeking a wider strategic relationship extending beyond military cooperation alone.
Trade and Investment Opportunities
A stronger economic partnership could create opportunities in sectors ranging from advanced manufacturing to artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and maritime technologies.
Turkey’s expanding industrial base and Canada’s financial stability make the relationship potentially beneficial for both sides.
Canadian firms may gain access to rapidly growing defense markets while Turkish companies could benefit from greater investment opportunities and deeper integration with North American industries.
Kraken Robotics and SİSAM Agreement Signals Early Progress
The strengthening relationship between Canada and Turkey is already producing tangible results.
During SAHA Expo 2026, the Strategic and Unmanned Systems Research Center of Sefine Shipyard signed a memorandum of understanding with Canadian company Kraken Robotics.
The agreement focuses on integrating Kraken’s KATFISH synthetic aperture sonar system into mission planning software while also developing automatic target recognition capabilities.
This partnership demonstrates how defense cooperation between the two countries is moving beyond political dialogue toward concrete technological collaboration.
Naval and Autonomous Systems Collaboration
The Kraken-SİSAM agreement also highlights growing interest in maritime autonomy and underwater defense technologies.
As naval operations increasingly rely on unmanned and AI-assisted systems, partnerships involving sonar integration, autonomous mission planning and advanced surveillance technologies are expected to become more common.
Canada and Turkey both possess strong maritime interests, making naval cooperation another promising area for future development.
A New Era of Middle-Power Cooperation
The emerging partnership between Canada and Turkey reflects a broader transformation in global security relations. As traditional power structures evolve, middle powers are increasingly building direct industrial and strategic partnerships with one another.
For Canada, Turkey offers a technologically capable ally with proven expertise in rapid defense industrial development. For Turkey, closer cooperation with Canada provides opportunities for expanded international collaboration, investment and technological exchange.
The relationship also illustrates how modern defense cooperation is becoming increasingly interconnected with economic policy, technological innovation and industrial resilience.