Defence: armament and disarmament in Turkey, Taiwan and South Africa
The United Nations marks its annual disarmament week to encourage military de-escalation, while most states are currently strengthening their defence, as in Taiwan and South Africa. Turkey is among the countries that have made locally produced armament a strategic priority, with a sector of more than 3,500 companies making drones, vehicles, missiles and electronics. These are sold to NATO members such as Poland and Romania as well as to countries in the Gulf, Asia and Africa, including Nigeria and Morocco.
Why it matters: The item bears on the arms trade and defence-industrial policy theme: Turkish-produced systems are supplied both to NATO members and to buyers in the Gulf, Asia and Africa.