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Commentary
Atlantic Council

Turkey’s Emerging and Disruptive Technologies Capacity and NATO: Defense Policy, Prospects, and Limitations

Senior Fellow (Nonresident)
A view of Bayraktar TB2 Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle as the 44 terrorists have been neutralized in operations carried out so far with the help of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and armed unmanned aerial vehicle (UCAV) fleet established in 2020 under the General Directorate of Security Aviation Department in Erzurum, Turkiye on May 20, 2024. (Photo by Hilmi Tunahan Karakaya/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Caption
A view of Bayraktar TB2 Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle in Erzurum, Turkey, on May 20, 2024. (Hilmi Tunahan Karakaya/Anadolu via Getty Images)

Introduction

The NATO Parliamentary Assembly’s Science and Technology Committee emerging and disruptive technologies (EDTs) capable of transforming future military capabilities and warfare through advanced tech applications. Today, official documents indicate that NATO’s EDT-generation efforts focus on : artificial intelligence (AI), autonomous systems, quantum technologies, biotechnology and human enhancement technologies, space, hypersonic systems, novel materials and manufacturing, energy and propulsion, and next-generation communications networks.

This brief does not cover all of Turkey’s defense-technological capabilities but aims to outline Turkey’s growing focus on EDTs and high-tech advancements. Some signature programs reflect Turkey’s political-military approach and the trends in defense-technological and industrial policies. These programs hint at Ankara’s future military modernization efforts and smart assets. This paper highlights some of Turkey’s critical defense tech programs, focusing on AI, robotics, directed energy weapons, and future soldier/exoskeleton technologies to illustrate the comprehensive and integrated structure of the Turkish EDT ecosystem.