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As part of the 2026 NATO Summit, the Turkey-US Defense Industry Cooperation Roundtable Meeting, organized by the Turkey-US Business Council (TAİK), was held. CANiK, the global defense brand under Samsun Yurt Savunma (SYS Group), was among the sponsors of the meeting.
The meeting, attended by public institutions, defense industry companies, and leading decision-makers from both countries, addressed joint production models, technology sharing, strengthening critical supply chains, mutual investment opportunities, and long-term industrial cooperation.
Opening remarks were delivered by US Deputy Secretary of Defense Michael P. Duffy and Turkish Deputy Minister of National Defense Salih Ayhan. Duffy and Ayhan emphasized the need to develop the strategic defense industry cooperation between Turkey and the US, increase joint production capabilities, and strengthen the industrial infrastructure that will contribute to NATO's deterrence.
CANiK stands out as an important part of the NATO defense ecosystem with its light and medium caliber weapon systems, remote-controlled robotic integration solutions, radar-integrated AI-based target tracking systems, and after-sales training services. The company offers high-tech defense solutions to allied countries through its 7 production facilities located in Turkey, the US, and the UK.
CANiK CEO Cahit Utku Aral, in his assessment of the meeting, stated that the NATO Summit is a platform where not only security policies but also the future of joint production, technology development, and industrial cooperation in the defense industry is shaped. Aral noted:
The goal of increasing the trade volume, currently at around $42 billion, to $100 billion is a shared vision put forward by the leaders of both countries. This is a realistic target that can be achieved by combining the US's technology development capability with Turkey's large-scale and competitive production power. Especially considering NATO's increasing defense needs and its approach to resilient supply chains, the industrial infrastructure of the two countries has significant complementary advantages. With the further strengthening of mutual trust and strategic cooperation, the Turkish and US defense industries will make greater contributions not only to the two countries but also to NATO's common security architecture.
