August M
Canada is reportedly exploring the purchase of Turkish military drones as Ottawa seeks to reduce dependence on American defence suppliers amid growing political tensions with Washington.
According to reports from Middle East Eye cited by WP Tech, recent comments by Donald Trump may have accelerated Canada’s efforts to diversify its military partnerships.
Shifting priorities
An official familiar with the discussions told Middle East Eye that Canadian leaders no longer fully trust the reliability of the United States as a long-term security partner.
The concerns reportedly intensified after Trump repeatedly made controversial remarks about Canada, including suggestions that the country could become America’s “51st state.”
“Many people in Canada would love to be the 51st state,” Trump wrote earlier this year on Truth Social.
The comments caused political backlash in Canada and added to wider uncertainty surrounding future US-Canada relations under a possible new Trump administration.
Turkish drone talks
According to the report, Ottawa is now in early-stage discussions about purchasing Turkish-made drones, particularly MALE-class systems designed for medium-altitude, long-endurance missions.
Turkey’s defense industry currently produces several internationally known drone platforms, including the Bayraktar TB2 and Bayraktar TB3.
The larger Bayraktar Akıncı drone is also reportedly being considered as part of broader discussions.
Canada is believed to view drones as one area where it can more easily diversify suppliers, unlike major systems such as F-35 fighter jets or HIMARS launchers, where existing US ties remain deeply entrenched.
Relations improve
Military cooperation between Canada and Turkey had previously been severely strained.
In 2019, Ottawa imposed restrictions on arms exports and military technology sales to Turkey following Ankara’s military operations in Syria.
Relations later improved after Turkey ratified Sweden’s NATO membership, helping reopen defense discussions between the two countries.
Recent diplomatic engagement between Ottawa and Ankara has reportedly created conditions for renewed military cooperation.
Broader concerns
The reported negotiations reflect wider anxieties among some US allies about relying too heavily on American defense systems amid political uncertainty in Washington.
Several NATO countries have recently explored expanding domestic production or diversifying suppliers to avoid overdependence on a single partner.
For Canada, the drone discussions may signal a broader reassessment of procurement strategy as geopolitical tensions continue to evolve.
Sources: WP Tech, Middle East Eye
