Belgian Defence Minister Theo Francken, during his visit to Türkiye with a delegation led by Queen Mathilde, spoke to TRT Haber. His answers to Mustafa Seçen's questions revealed the rising reputation of the Turkish defence industry in Europe and potential export opportunities.
"My First Job Was to Work Like Türkiye"
Francken described the decision he made as soon as he took office: "From the moment I became Belgian Defence Minister, the first thing I did was to work like Türkiye and take Türkiye as a role model. To work for innovation, drone capacity, artificial intelligence, electronic warfare." These words reveal that the Turkish defence model, which has broken foreign dependency in many areas from unmanned systems to smart munitions in the last 10 years, is being closely followed by European allies.
Recalling that he visited Baykar and TUSAŞ facilities two years ago as a member of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, the Minister said, "What you have is mind-blowing. You should be proud of your industry."
Kızılelma and Unmanned Systems in the Forefront
When asked which Turkish platform impressed him the most, Francken's answer was clear: Baykar's unmanned combat aircraft, Kızılelma. "It is truly magnificent. It has many capabilities that we do not have," said the Minister, signalling that Kızılelma could find potential buyers in the European market.
Francken also touched upon Belgium's strength in unmanned marine vehicles, emphasising, "We can learn from each other." Having visited a shipyard in Istanbul and inspected domestic frigate production, the Minister stated that Belgium has a need for new frigates and expressed openness to Turkish knowledge and technology. This point constitutes a critical message for the export potential of the MİLGEM project.
Not Just UAVs: A Signal for Cooperation in Space and Aviation with the TUSAŞ Visit
Francken's visit to TUSAŞ as part of his Ankara engagements also drew attention. The Belgian Defence Minister met with TUSAŞ General Manager Mehmet Demiroğlu and discussed aviation technologies and international cooperation. In a statement regarding the meeting, Demiroğlu said, "We evaluated future joint opportunities by sharing our national engineering capabilities and advanced technology solutions." This visit indicates that a broader aviation cooperation, including satellite technologies and space studies, as well as unmanned aerial vehicles, could be on the agenda between the two countries.
Signatures Were Made: Ground for Cooperation in the Defence Industry
One of the concrete outcomes of the visit was the letter of intent signed between the defence ministries of the two countries. Francken described it as "something like a cooperation agreement in the defence industry." He announced that some agreements were also signed during Queen Mathilde's programme in Istanbul, and another new agreement would be signed in Ankara.
Such framework texts are generally read as diplomatic steps paving the way for concrete projects. Although it is not yet clear which platforms or systems are on the table, Francken's emphasis on Kızılelma and frigates provides clues.
SAFE Loans and Access to the European Market
One of the most striking points of the interview for defence industry followers was Francken's remarks on SAFE loans. Openly arguing that Türkiye should be included in this financing mechanism aimed at accelerating Europe's defence procurement, the Minister stated, "This is being blocked by some countries in the European Union, and that is not wise. Belgium is not in the same position as them." This stance constitutes notable political support for the integration of Turkish companies into European supply chains.
Signal for Joint Operation in Hormuz and the Black Sea
While confirming Belgium's determination to participate in the mine-clearing operation in the Strait of Hormuz, Francken stated that in the event of a possible ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine, they would support Türkiye, Romania, and Bulgaria in mine-clearing activities in the Black Sea. The combination of Belgium's advanced mine-clearing capabilities with Türkiye's operational experience in the region could create a strategic ground for cooperation for Black Sea security.
Defence Industry Session at the NATO Summit
Evaluating the main agenda of the NATO Leaders' Summit to be hosted by Türkiye in July, Francken said, "More industrial capacity, more production, ammunition, technology, innovation, and armament. That will be the main issue." Emphasising that Türkiye has done a very good job on budget and investment, the Minister stated, "You have a very strong industry. You are a strong country that exports defence equipment." This statement indicates that new export and co-production opportunities for Turkish companies may come to the fore at the summit.
Full Support for Erdoğan: "We Must Bring Türkiye into Europe"
Francken gave full support to President Erdoğan's statement that "The European Union needs Türkiye." Saying, "We are in a very difficult world, a strange and unstable period. It is very important that Türkiye is on our side," the Minister underscored Türkiye's geographical, diplomatic, military, and economic position. Also touching upon the success of the 200,000-strong Turkish community in Belgium, Francken noted that the individuals of Turkish origin in his delegation serve as a bridge between the two countries.
