Published: · Region: Global · Category: geopolitics

Organized force intended for warfare
Photo: US Army — via Wikimedia Commons / Wikipedia: Military

Canada and Türkiye Sign Defence MoU as Carney Hails Ankara’s Military and Industry

Canada and Türkiye have signed a memorandum of understanding to deepen cooperation in the defence sector, with Prime Minister Mark Carney praising Türkiye’s large NATO military and advanced arms industry and presenting Ankara as an exceptional partner for a more demanding security era.

Canada is trying to turn a once‑strained defence relationship with Türkiye into a source of strength inside NATO, signing a memorandum of understanding on defence‑sector cooperation and offering unusually warm public praise for Ankara’s military role.

During a visit to Türkiye, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said Ottawa wants "deeper partnerships with reliable partners" that create opportunities for both sides and described Türkiye as an "exceptional partner." The new MoU is meant to strengthen cooperation in the defence sector, although detailed annexes have not been released.

Carney highlighted that Türkiye fields NATO’s second‑largest standing military and "one of the world’s most important and innovative defense industries." He framed the agreement as part of a broader Canadian effort to work more closely with countries that can help meet rising security demands.

The prime minister rooted his remarks in Turkish history and alliance symbolism. He said he had paid his respects at Anıtkabir, the mausoleum of Republic founder Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, and noted that after the Second World War Canada sent maple trees to be planted there as a gesture of peace and friendship. Citing Atatürk’s creed of "Peace at home, peace in the world," Carney said that in today’s time of rupture Canada seeks strength at home and partnership abroad.

For Türkiye, the MoU showcases international recognition of its defence industry, which has invested heavily in domestic drones, armoured vehicles and other systems and now plays a significant role on NATO’s southeastern flank. For Canada, it signals a willingness to rebuild trust with a key ally after past disputes over arms exports and to explore industrial cooperation in areas where Turkish firms have gained experience.

Inside NATO, the agreement also has political weight. Allies have struggled at times with Ankara’s approach to issues such as procurement and enlargement. A public endorsement from Ottawa, paired with a formal cooperation framework, indicates that major Western capitals still see close defence ties with Türkiye as essential to regional security.

The most important signals to watch now are whether Ottawa adjusts any outstanding export controls affecting Turkish programmes, whether specific joint projects or co‑production deals emerge from the MoU, and how other NATO members react—either by seeking similar arrangements with Ankara or by pushing for shared rules on sensitive technologies.

Sources

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