![BD_Maximus_Globe_Footage](https://breakingdefense.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/03/BD_Maximus_Globe_Footage-350x197.jpg)
![Turkey’s demand to join EU before letting Sweden into NATO puts damper on Vilnius Summit](https://breakingdefense.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/05/230502_turkey_erdogan_kaan_GettyImages-1486894643-scaled-e1683049618225-225x150.jpg)
Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan said he will bring his demands for European Union membership to this week’s NATO summit.
By Aaron Mehta![Turkey dubs 5th gen fighter ‘KAAN,’ sees other domestic aircraft milestones](https://breakingdefense.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/05/230502_turkey_erdogan_kaan_GettyImages-1486894643-scaled-e1683049618225-225x150.jpg)
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is eager to promote defense industry, but analysts say that beyond politics, there’s some real progress.
By Agnes Helou![Turkey’s Fighter Flirtation With Russia: Is it Serious?](https://breakingdefense.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2021/10/erdgen_putin-scaled-e1645989973555-225x150.jpg)
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has already requested a series of F-16 upgrades from the US, but may be using Russia for political leverage.
By Ragip Soylu![Senate Approps Joins House Boosting F-35 Buy; State Warns Turkey On JSF](https://breakingdefense.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2017/02/F-35A-flight-225x150.jpg)
The two houses of Congress are yet to haggle over the final draft of the 2019 defense spending bill, but Turkey’s role is looking more precarious by the day.
By Paul McLeary