President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is leveraging this year’s NATO summit in The Hague to persuade French President Emmanuel Macron to lift political obstacles blocking the sale and joint production of the SAMP/T missile defense system. The move is a central element of Türkiye’s ambition to establish an indigenous “steel dome” missile shield.

Missile Defense Cooperation at a Crossroads

According to Turkish officials, Erdoğan is pressing Macron to approve the long-stalled missile defense deal with Eurosam, a joint Franco-Italian venture that produces the SAMP/T system. Ankara believes co-producing this European system will significantly accelerate its efforts to establish a national missile shield and reduce dependency on foreign suppliers.

This renewed diplomatic push comes amid heightened regional instability, particularly after recent escalations between Israel and Iran. In response, Erdoğan last week ordered a boost in Türkiye’s domestic production of medium and long-range missile systems, underscoring Ankara’s urgency in upgrading its air defense architecture.

France's Reluctance and Political Tensions

Macron’s hesitation dates back to 2020, when he tied missile technology cooperation to Türkiye clarifying its role in Syria. Tensions have also grown over Türkiye’s expanding footprint in Africa—a continent where French influence has been in decline—as well as the maritime disputes between Türkiye, Greece, and Cyprus in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Despite Macron’s opposition, Italy has signaled no objection to the sale, potentially opening a path for bilateral cooperation or a broader European defense arrangement if Paris steps aside.

Strategic Goals: A Turkish “Steel Dome”

The SAMP/T is central to Ankara’s vision of a layered and domestically integrated missile defense system, referred to by officials as the “steel dome.” Such a capability would dramatically elevate Türkiye’s role within NATO and further its goal of strategic autonomy in the defense sector.

Beyond security, Erdoğan wants NATO leaders to acknowledge Türkiye’s growing importance to European defense and accept its push for unrestricted cooperation in the military-industrial domain—especially as the alliance faces new global threats.

S-400 Legacy and F-35 Deadlock

Türkiye’s 2017 purchase of the Russian S-400 missile defense system created a lasting rift with NATO allies, particularly the United States. Washington froze Türkiye out of the F-35 stealth fighter program, arguing that the S-400 could allow Russia to gather sensitive data on Western aircraft.

Now, Erdoğan is attempting to reopen dialogue with President Donald Trump, reportedly offering to restrict S-400 operations in a bid to lift the F-35 embargo. However, Ankara has refused to fully abandon or trade the system, insisting it was forced to acquire the Russian alternative after repeated U.S. refusals to sell Patriots with technology transfer.

Broader Implications

The outcome of Erdoğan’s diplomatic outreach in The Hague could reshape Türkiye’s long-term defense posture. If Macron agrees, Türkiye would not only gain advanced European missile technology but also take a major step toward strategic defense independence. It would also signal a thaw in Franco-Turkish defense ties, which have been strained for years.

If rejected, Ankara may turn further toward domestic development and alternate partners, reinforcing the divergence between Türkiye and certain NATO capitals.