“ASEAN’s decision to admit Turkey as its 12th dialogue partner underscores the country’s growing defense industry and trade links to the bloc as the NATO member balances its Western anchor with an expanding Asian presence.”
“Turkey’s inclusion — announced last week during the ASEAN foreign ministers meeting in Manila — follows that of the U.K. in 2021 despite a moratorium on expanding such partnerships. The move upgrades Turkey from a sectoral dialogue partner status to a relationship with the bloc also enjoyed by the U.S., China and Japan…”
“Turkey, whose economy is valued at about $1.6 trillion, has seen its goods trade with ASEAN states more than double to $16 billion in 2025 from $6.5 billion in 2010. Malaysia, Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand and Singapore are its main regional trading partners, with Malaysia appointed as coordinator for ASEAN-Turkey relations.”
“Turkey has sold advanced drones and armored vehicles, including medium-weight tanks, to Indonesia. To Malaysia, it has sold drones and corvettes, while the Philippines has received attack helicopters and naval weapon systems. Ankara has also enabled know-how transfers and joint production for certain weapons.”
“As a sectoral dialogue partner, Turkey had carried out projects with ASEAN in areas including agriculture, disaster management, humanitarian mine action, maritime affairs, sustainable development, and science and technology.”