Full Breakdown
Canada and Turkey Forge New Middle-Power Defense Partnership
5/13/2026, 12:34:04 AM
Core Development at SAHA Expo 2026
At the SAHA Expo in Istanbul, Canadian Secretary of State for Defense Procurement Stephen Fuhr announced a push to deepen defense cooperation with Turkey, targeting drones, counter-drone systems, ammunition and autonomous technologies, and favoring co-development over off-the-shelf purchases.
Background: From Embargo to Collaboration
Canada imposed a de-facto weapons embargo on Turkey from 2019 to January 2024, cancelling export permits over political disputes. Following Fuhr’s 2025 election, Ottawa signaled a shift to future-oriented engagement, setting aside past issues to pursue joint capability development.
Key Actors & Recent Milestones
Key actors include Stephen Fuhr, who leads Canada’s defense procurement, and Prime Minister Mark Carney, slated for a 2026 visit. Turkish partners feature the Strategic and Unmanned Systems Research Center (SISAM) at Sefine Shipyard and Canadian firm Kraken Robotics. Milestones: 2019-Jan 2024 embargo; Fuhr’s 2025 appointment; May 11 2026 SAHA Expo announcement; May 2026 MoU between SISAM and Kraken to integrate the KATFISH towed synthetic-aperture sonar system.
Why It Matters
The alliance supports Canada’s new Defence Industrial Strategy and Defence Investment Agency, which prioritize rapid capability growth through “build, partner, buy.” Partnering with Turkey—one of few nations with an independent defense industrial base, alongside South Korea and France—helps Canada boost supply-chain resilience as the United States scales back its global security role.
Official Statements & Responses
Fuhr said that middle powers need to cooperate more closely than before. He explained that urgent needs will be met by purchase, while longer-term projects will be co-developed. Ottawa highlighted Turkey’s mature defense ecosystem as a model and stressed that the partnership should stimulate Canadian industry rather than rely solely on foreign procurement.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The middle powers have to come together in a way they didn’t before,” — Stephen Fuhr, Canadian Secretary of State for Defense Procurement
- “Individually we’re just not big enough, but collectively we are,” — Stephen Fuhr
- “Our strategy is build, partner, buy,” — Stephen Fuhr
- “Ammo production is one, drones, counter drones, those are pretty obvious places,” — Stephen Fuhr
What’s Next
Prime Minister Mark Carney is slated to visit Turkey in 2026, and talks on a possible free-trade agreement are under way. Both governments expect further MoUs in maritime and unmanned systems, aiming to turn SAHA Expo announcements into joint projects within 12-18 months.
