“The Türkiye Model”: Deepening Cooperation with Africa in the Defence Industry

Türkiye has transformed its rapid progress in the defence industry into a strategic advantage in Africa, becoming an important actor in the region. The delivery of T-129 ATAK helicopters produced by TUSAŞ to Nigeria and its impact on defence cooperation is a concrete indicator of this rising power. Türkiye’s rise in Africa is not limited to defence industry exports; it also encompasses education, technology transfer, and security cooperation.

Four Main Factors Highlighting Türkiye’s Prominence
Four main factors can be highlighted in explaining Türkiye’s prominence in the defence industry in Africa.

The first is that Türkiye's domestic and national defence products, such as the T-129 ATAK helicopters, Bayraktar TB2 UAVs/UCAVs, HÜRKUŞ trainer aircraft, and armoured land vehicles, have placed Türkiye in a competitive position in the international market.

Secondly, Türkiye offers suitable financing models and technology transfer options, taking into account the financial constraints of African countries.

The third factor is that Türkiye's defence industry products are designed to meet the specific security needs of Africa, such as counterterrorism, border security, and asymmetric warfare.

The fourth point is Türkiye's deepening cooperation through training programs and technical support for African armies. This not only involves the sale of military equipment but also brings about long-term strategic partnerships.

On the other hand, Türkiye’s defence industry collaborations in Africa extend beyond Nigeria to countries like Libya, Somalia, Ethiopia, Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco, Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, and Chad. For example, Türkiye contributed to achieving relative stability in Libya following the defence and security cooperation developed with the country in 2020. In Somalia, Türkiye supported the fight against terrorism by establishing a military training base (TÜRKSOM) and providing various equipment, including Bayraktar TB2 UAVs, to the Somali army. Moreover, Türkiye has recently increased its support for Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger in the Sahel region, where terrorist activities have intensified. Consequently, Türkiye's strengthening position in Africa enables it to acquire a unique image that differentiates it from other actors on the continent.

The “Türkiye Model” and Distinctive Approaches Compared to Global Actors
Türkiye has developed unique policies on the African continent in recent years, forming a partnership model distinct from traditional global actors. Particularly in West Africa, where France’s influence has declined, and in other strategically significant regions, Türkiye offers a new cooperation paradigm based on development-focused and equal partnership principles. This approach evolves into what can be called the “Türkiye Model,” providing an alternative cooperation framework for African countries.

Türkiye draws attention as a “neutral and constructive actor” in regions where conflicts of interest between Western and Eastern blocs are intense. During a period when Western influence is waning and actors like China and Russia are becoming more active, Türkiye plays a balancing role. Türkiye’s pragmatic and needs-based policies, free from ideological impositions, are positively received by regional countries. For example, in Nigeria, Türkiye’s neutral policy, supported by infrastructure investments, defence industry cooperation, and humanitarian aid, contributes to the region’s stability. This reflects Türkiye’s desire to provide constructive solutions tailored to local needs rather than attempting to fill a “power vacuum.”

Türkiye aims to establish long-term and multidimensional partnerships rather than pursuing an economic interest-orientated model in its relations with African countries. Through institutions such as the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA), the Turkish Red Crescent, the Türkiye Diyanet Foundation, and the Maarif Foundation, Türkiye carries out infrastructure support, humanitarian aid, and education projects across the continent. These projects not only address short-term issues but also make Türkiye a “reliable partner” in the eyes of local populations and governments.

Türkiye’s policy toward Africa differs in many ways from the approaches of Western and other global actors. These distinctions lay the foundation for an original cooperation paradigm that can be referred to as the “Türkiye Model.” In this context, Türkiye’s principle of equal partnership with African countries, its development of needs-oriented projects, its focus on the independence and capacity building of African states, and its historical and socio-cultural ties, which do not stem from a colonial past, establish the groundwork for a unique cooperation policy. For instance, Türkiye offers capacity-building partnerships in areas such as defence industry, education, and health to strengthen African countries’ resilience against external interventions. The delivery of T-129 ATAK helicopters to Nigeria and its impact on operational capacity serve as a significant example in this regard.

A Constructive Strategy Amid Geopolitical Competition
The model offered by Türkiye in Africa stands out, particularly from former colonial powers like France and actors like China, who seek influence through infrastructure investments. In contrast to France’s interventionist approach, Türkiye adopts a relationship model that respects the sovereignty rights of African countries.

On the other hand, China often faces criticism for its “debt trap” through loans and infrastructure projects in Africa, while Türkiye supports the economic independence of African countries with more flexible financing models and technology transfer. Finally, while the United States and Russia prioritise geopolitical competition in their activities in Africa and focus less on local needs, Türkiye balances its military presence with development and humanitarian activities, following a constructive strategy as an actor that “contributes to security” on the continent.

Conclusion
The “Türkiye Model” offers African countries an equal partnership framework aligned with their fundamental goals of development, security, and independence. Relations developed with countries such as Nigeria demonstrate that this model can be successfully implemented. Türkiye’s policy is shaped not only by economic interests but also by humanitarian aid and development projects tailored to local needs. This distinctive strategy positions Türkiye as a stronger actor on both regional and global scales, differentiating it from other players in Africa.

This opinion piece was published in Turkish on 25 November 2024, on the Anadolu Ajansı website under the title “‘Türkiye Modeli’: Savunma sanayi alanında Afrika’yla derinleşen işbirliği”