German minister praises Türkiye's 'central role' in NATO after major drill

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius praised Türkiye's indispensable contribution to NATO's defense architecture on Wednesday, following his observation of the alliance's Steadfast Dart 2026 military exercise in the Baltic Sea. Speaking at a press conference, Pistorius emphasized that Türkiye "has always played a central role" in NATO and "today probably plays an even greater one," underscoring Ankara's growing strategic significance within the alliance.

Southeastern Flank and Naval Capabilities

Pistorius specifically highlighted Türkiye's critical position on NATO's southeastern flank, describing the country as a "very important NATO partner" whose geographic location and military capacities are essential to alliance defense planning. He expressed gratitude for Turkish participation in the exercise and drew attention to Ankara's modern military equipment, noting that "the Turkish Navy's new amphibious boats, proven to be very high quality, possess remarkable capabilities." The minister's remarks acknowledged Türkiye's substantial investment in indigenous defense technologies and their operational effectiveness.

Alliance Cohesion and Capability Demonstration

The Steadfast Dart 2026 exercise, involving forces from multiple NATO members, demonstrates the alliance's ability to respond rapidly to security challenges across its territory. Pistorius observed that Türkiye's robust participation "shows that NATO is bigger than some believe," pushing back against narratives of alliance weakness or internal division. His commendation of Turkish contributions reflects the high value NATO places on Ankara's military assets, particularly in naval operations and power projection capabilities that strengthen the alliance's overall deterrent posture.

Strategic Recognition Amid Geopolitical Shifts

Pistorius's remarks carry particular weight amid ongoing discussions about European defense architecture and the allocation of security responsibilities within NATO. By explicitly acknowledging Türkiye's central role and the quality of its armed forces, the German minister reinforced Ankara's position as an indispensable ally whose contributions extend well beyond its immediate geographic neighborhood. The recognition comes as NATO continues adapting to new threats, with Türkiye's modernizing military and strategic location positioned as critical assets for collective defense across multiple fronts.