Türkiye- UK Defence Cooperation News and Updates

[Yasar_TR]

SSB Başkanı İsmail Demir, İngiltere’deki temaslarına ilişkin değerlendirmelerde bulundu

Savunma Sanayii Başkanı İsmail Demir, savunma sanayi ürünleri konusunda İngiltere tarafından Türkiye’ye uygulanan ihracat kısıtlamalarının kalktığını bildirdi

www.savunmasanayiidergilik.com

SSB President İsmail Demir has made some comments on the discussions they have had in the UK.
Although he doesn’t give away much in terms of details of the discussions, when one reads between the lines of what he says, one sees that a good deal of progress has been made between the parties.
As well as the lifting of all limits on military exports between the two countries, they have discussed the synergy of using ever evolving and developing Turkish Defence Industry‘s more favourable capabilities, for both countries and for third countries too.
It looks like all the roadblocks in front of the engine development have been removed as well.
We will have to leave this point open for a while as there may be important Revelations in the days to come.

 

[Yasar_TR]

PM call with President Erdoğan: 20 May 2022

Prime Minister Boris Johnson spoke to Turkey’s President Erdoğan this evening.

www.gov.uk

Boris Johnson has called RTE and discussed Ukraine and the involvement of UK and Türkiye . Also mentioned was the cooperation of both countries in the defence sector.
Last year’s defence industry trade volume was increased by 3billion GBP, and that this could be further strengthened going forward.

 

[Yasar_TR]

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/824813/TS_5.2019_UK_Turkey_Framework_Agreement_on_Military_Cooperation.pdf

Framework agreement of Türkiye and UK defence cooperation.

 

[B.t.N]

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/824813/TS_5.2019_UK_Turkey_Framework_Agreement_on_Military_Cooperation.pdf

Framework agreement of Türkiye and UK defence cooperation.

Tone of the agreement states a mutual (rather UK’s!) understanding of a future co-operation between the countries, however, I would not take it as far to say it is a general framework (or technical documentation) giving out clues on a concerete deal.

I guess we will have to wait and see the actual outcome of the recent talks!

 

[Yasar_TR]

Past and Present Cooperation within the Defence Industry Between Turkey and the United Kingdom

by İbrahim SÜNNETÇİ

www.defenceturkey.com

A good rundown on past and present UK - Türkiye defence cooperation by “defence Turkey“ magazine dated 2018.
It seems that there is a lot of synergy between the two countries‘ defence industries that can still be exploited.
It is a shame that some of our big NATO allies don’t realise the potential that Türkiye has.
UK realises that Turkey is irreplaceable when it comes to confronting a Russia in Eastern Europe and Black Sea region. Unfortunately our German and US allies seem to close both eyes when it comes to Turkey being supported against Russia and Iran in spite of reports and knowledge they have as explained in below article.

Deciphering Turkey’s Geopolitical Balancing and Anti-Westernism in Its Relations with Russia

The war in Ukraine is set to increase the pressure on Turkey’s balancing policy, shed light on the role of anti-Westernism in Ankara-Moscow...

www.swp-berlin.org

 

[B.t.N]

Pretty much summarizes UK’s interest in a military co-operation, since earlier this past decade, only gaining momentum after the Brexit, and hence the 2019 memorandum:

“Written Evidence from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office”

“How should the Government’s efforts to strengthen UK-Turkey relations be assessed, especially with respect to the economic and commercial spheres?”

“The Government has identified Turkey as one of the emerging powers with which the UK must strengthen its bilateral relationship…Turkey’s international weight/stature is also growing: as a member of the G20, NATO… Turkey is also important as a strategic energy transit route, with the potential to bring new Caspian and Iraqi gas supplies to the EU…

Turkey has a strong network of relationships and influence in regions where UK interests are significant: North Africa, the Middle East, Afghanistan-Pakistan and the Western Balkans. This network of relationships, combined with Turkey’s status as NATO ally, and membership of a wide range of international organisations such as the G20, makes Turkey a valuable foreign policy partner for the UK… This is another reason for the UK’s active support for Turkey…”

 

[Barry]

yeh beware, we had no shame demonising you when it came to pushing brexit

 

[B.t.N]

yeh beware, we had no shame demonising you when it came to pushing brexit

How so? You mean the dirty rhetoric against Turkey and Turks?

 

[Barry]

How so? You mean the dirty rhetoric against Turkey and Turks?

Absolutely. Get what you need from the cooperation and don't make the mistake of thinking the UK is friendly or equitable when it comes to UK/TUR relations.

 

[B.t.N]

Absolutely. Get what you need from the cooperation and don't make the mistake of thinking the UK is friendly or equitable when it comes to UK/TUR relations.

And you do not ask to marry your partner in crime!

 

[B.t.N]

PM call with President Erdoğan: 20 May 2022

Prime Minister Boris Johnson spoke to Turkey’s President Erdoğan this evening.

www.gov.uk

Boris Johnson has called RTE and discussed Ukraine and the involvement of UK and Türkiye . Also mentioned was the cooperation of both countries in the defence sector.
Last year’s defence industry trade volume was increased by 3billion GBP, and that this could be further strengthened going forward.

Now that Sweeden is a victim of circumstances, do you see a prospective Tempest deal as a result of these negotiations?

 

[Yasar_TR]

Now that Sweeden is a victim of circumstances, do you see a prospective Tempest deal as a result of these negotiations?

I have a feeling Tempest will be the cementing factor of Turkish UK and Swedish relations. I am an optimist at times. But then again it can all go pear shaped and Sweden may pull out of the deal.
Logically, with UK leading, Sweden and Japan technically helping together with their financial backing and Turkey with it’s expertise and lower cost base are the ideal combination of countries.
We will see if logic or politics will prevail.

 

[B.t.N]

I have a feeling Tempest will be the cementing factor of Turkish UK and Swedish relations. I am an optimist at times. But then again it can all go pear shaped and Sweden may pull out of the deal.
Logically, with UK leading, Sweden and Japan technically helping together with their financial backing and Turkey with it’s expertise and lower cost base are the ideal combination of countries.
We will see if logic or politics will prevail.

Thank you, and being an optimist is not as bad (OK, maybe it is, occasionally) as people think!

 

[TheInsider]

If Japan is on the train IMHO no need for Sweden for the Tempest. UK and Japan bring real hi-tech capability, Turkiye has its own capability and cost-effectiveness.

 

[Huelague]

I have a feeling Tempest will be the cementing factor of Turkish UK and Swedish relations. I am an optimist at times. But then again it can all go pear shaped and Sweden may pull out of the deal.
Logically, with UK leading, Sweden and Japan technically helping together with their financial backing and Turkey with it’s expertise and lower cost base are the ideal combination of countries.
We will see if logic or politics will prevail.

You think we can handle 2 projects like TFX and Tempest? And why you think Japan would join the project?

 

[TheInsider]

You think we can handle 2 projects like TFX and Tempest? And why you think Japan would join the project?

Japan is showing interest in the Tempest project so Japan might join the Tempest. Japan is also working with RR for the engine of their 5th gen fighter. Tempest is a 6th gen fighter that is planned to enter service around 2040. We can handle the Tempest project schedule.

 

[Yasar_TR]

You think we can handle 2 projects like TFX and Tempest? And why you think Japan would join the project?

As per @TheInsider ’s comment, UK is not expecting Tempest to be ready before 2035. Most likely it will be operational post 2040, taking in to account their past performance with the Typhoon project.
Hence it will be well after we have completed the production of the essential quantity of TFX in to our fleet. As a natural course of any development project we should be improving on our TFX and take it to the next level in the form of Tempest. Tempest will need a great deal of know how and financial input. Hence a consortium is the way to go.
Japan is a technological power house. They are way ahead of us in engine technology. They have fully operational turbofan engines for their stealth projects built by IHI corporation. They have been redesigning and rebuilding US fighter jets way before we have been building f16s.
Japan has already asked Rolls Royce to help them build their next generation engines. According to news emerging from Japan the deal has been made and RR will be building a new generation engine with IHI.

UK and Japan to jointly develop fighter jet engine | Aerospace Testing International

UK and Japan to collaborate on future fighter jet engine development

www.aerospacetestinginternational.com

Sweden‘s presence in the consortium may look unnecessary. But Sweden and Saab have a very long and established tradition of building fighter jets. (Remember we were going ahead with Saab on our TFX project before BAE Systems) Their input with respect to technology as well as finance will be a plus to the project. Italy and Leonardo (who by the way are the people behind the Captor E Aesa radar of Typhoon) will also be party to this consortium.

 

[B.t.N]

Recent take on the Tempest, and the TFX…
“… around 100 BAE personnel are in Turkey supporting Ankara’s TF-X future fighter development activity, with around a year left to run on the UK company’s current contract. “It is a good programme – a very ambitious sovereign capability,” Muldowney says. “There are opportunities for us to continue into the next stages of that contract, both with work in Turkey and potentially in the UK. We would like to remain partners on that programme if we can.”

BAE Systems Air highlights future combat aircraft progress

As the UK's largest defence company, BAE Systems is leading the way in developing next-generation technologies - and closer relations with international partners.

www.flightglobal.com

 

[B.t.N]

Essence of Truss‘ visit a few days ago seems to be limited (at least on the surface) to Russia’s war on Ukraine. Many were expecting a concrete prrogress on defence deals, however, any such talks or bargains are strictly kept behind the curtain!

Foreign Secretary Liz Truss gave a press statement in Ankara on the UK and Turkey's longstanding alliance, our work as NATO partners and the war in Ukraine…

Foreign Secretary's press conference statement in Turkey, June 2022

Foreign Secretary Liz Truss gave a press statement in Ankara on the UK and Turkey's longstanding alliance, our work as NATO partners and the war in Ukraine.

www.gov.uk