Political constraints remain a central factor in the SAMP/T acquisition’s progression, as France previously blocked the SAMP/T acquisition due to disagreements linked to Türkiye’s military operations in northern Syria, maritime disputes in the Eastern Mediterranean, and broader geopolitical tensions.
For its part, Italy has consistently supported the trilateral framework and remains engaged in joint working groups preparing the co-production, as well as supporting reciprocal investment in Italy (Baykar’s acquisition of Piaggio Aerospace is a good example). Moreover, discussions between President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and President Emmanuel Macron at the NATO summit in The Hague in June 2025 indicate a renewed Turkish effort to remove these political barriers, arguing that participation in European defense programs is necessary given Türkiye’s role as one of NATO’s largest contributors.
The acquisition is also linked to Türkiye’s relationship with the United States and NATO following the 2017 purchase of the Russian S-400 system under a $2.5 billion contract, which resulted in exclusion from the F-35 program and sanctions under CAATSA, while Ankara maintains that the S-400 will not be integrated into NATO systems and will be used only in limited scenarios.
6Therefore, the potential integration of the SAMP/T within the Steel Dome would improve its compatibility with NATO defense networks, creating conditions for renewed dialogue on a broader defense cooperation. This renewed cooperation might include a possible re-engagement within the F-35 program and adjustments to existing sanctions frameworks, particularly as Türkiye prepares to host a NATO summit in July, reinforcing its position as a key contributor to NATO’s southeastern defense flank.
