Joint Procurement Searches in the European Continent in the Field of Defense

Effects of Russia-Ukraine War on Supply:

One of the side effects that emerged with the Russia-Ukraine war is the tendency of European countries to increase their defense expenditures as necessary. Rising security concerns are about to push EU countries to seek common ground in several areas:

• Increasing the combat readiness rates of existing forces.
• Support, substitution, power of logistics infrastructures.
• Modernization of existing systems.
• Supply of new systems.

In addition, for the former Eastern Bloc countries, the need to get rid of the old Soviet systems and switch to new systems in line with NATO standards has become more evident.

When we add the European geography to the defense procurement approach, the first thing that catches our attention is the weapons, platforms and ammunition development programs with international partnerships. Such joint programs have become an armament policy followed by the states for the last half century in order to minimize their defense expenditures and procurement expenses. It is not an easy matter to accelerate the programs at the stage of mass production carried out jointly by European countries.

For this reason, we observe that foreign procurement trends in EU countries, especially from the USA, are increasing rapidly. Whether it is a foreign military sales (FMS) method or another method, there is a habit of foreign procurement processes are usually carried out by one-to-one contracts between the two countries. There hasn't been much of a practice of European countries to come together and buy a weapon system from the USA en masse.

For example, many European countries have supplied Lockheed C-130J series military cargo aircraft from the USA in the past. The procurement of this aircraft was carried out by each country separately within the framework of national agreements with the Americans. However, Germany and France decided to operate a joint maintenance operation for the aircraft they purchased from abroad, taking into account the factors of post-supply maintenance, maintenance, convenience and affordability. They included the Airbus production A-400M aircraft into this partnership structure. While the A-400 is a joint program developed within Europe, the C-130 is an outsourced aircraft. However, these two countries did not find it necessary to come together at the beginning of the C-130 procurement phase and to combine the C-130 orders into a single offer.

Foreign Procurements Are Usually Made From Country to Country:

There are valid reasons for both parties to make arms deals between two states in foreign procurement.

Every army's needs are different. Although seemingly the same, it may be possible to purchase systems that differ completely in details according to country preferences.
Each country's joint production, technology transfer, offset, etc. Other expectations are also different. These expectations can make the costs in the purchase agreement highly variable and specific.
The political position and other characteristics of each country also differ. This is also important for the arms dealer country. Because what it will offer and what it will not offer also affects the cost. It also changes the terms of use that will come into question with the supply.

These items can be reproduced, but in essence they express the same truth.

Can the situation of joint supply instead of country-to-country sales change? I see it as possible in today's changing conditions. Because, as defense programs become clear and multiply, reducing costs and establishing partnerships, especially in foreign procurement, will become a logical pursuit for countries. Let's explain with an example:

Germany has been among the heavy transport helicopter user countries for a long time. This process, which started with the production of the Skorsky CH-53 model under license, has resulted in the need for new helicopter procurement for Germany as the helicopters have come to the end of their useful life. Although Germany considered purchasing the CH-53K, the most advanced model of the helicopters in the same series, it was in search of purchasing another helicopter model, since this model was not mature enough yet. For this reason, Germany has turned to the Boeing CH-47F model, which Turkey has recently purchased and whose production line is still open.

A similar quest may apply to many European armies. For example, Turkey may want to buy more helicopters than the limited number of CH-47s it has and use them on platforms like TCG Anadolu. In this context, it may be logical for Turkey to focus on a joint order instead of a low number and expensive national order. Similarly, Norway, Finland, etc., who want to develop their military logistics infrastructure for use in their vast territories. countries may need such helicopters. Considering that EU countries act on common laws and principles and that their military units are formed according to similar rules, it can be thought that European countries should turn to joint arms foreign procurement programs and Turkey should take part in such a formation if it suits its interests.

Within the framework of Europe's increasing security concerns, there are many risks and opportunities for Turkey. It is a fact that these concerns extend to the "Eurasian" line. For this reason, it will be in favor of Turkey to turn to approaches that maximize opportunities and profitability while minimizing risks. Therefore, from the perspective of a "participating and supplier" country, there may be some gains in directing the European Union to the point of "common pool of needs in external procurement".

Conclusion:

There are defense industry areas such as "unmanned aerial vehicles" and "unmanned sea vehicles", where Turkey is ahead of its peers. Turkey; It is a country that has the potential to stand out in the field of "Air Defense Systems", where it has concentrated in recent years and started to develop original products. However, there are many items of need for Turkey where foreign procurement is more logical and faster. Considering the implicit embargoes and delaying policies that Turkey is exposed to, considering that joint procurement programs are likely to allow the use of joint credits, it will be seen that it would be beneficial for Turkey to be included in the joint procurement programs.