Erdogan’s NATO summit gift leaves leaders with a firearm headache

The firearms, produced by the state-linked firm MKE in the 1990s, arrived in wooden display boxes featuring both the Turkish flag and NATO logo. Each barrel was engraved with the recipient's name. The practical implications of transporting live ammunition and heavy weaponry across international borders quickly took precedence over the diplomatic symbolism, with leaders scrambling to secure their gifts upon arrival home.

Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever surrendered his weapon to airport police immediately upon landing, while Polish officials opted to hold their piece in customs to ensure it was handled with appropriate security. Other leaders took more creative routes: European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and the Greek leadership announced plans to donate their revolvers to military museums. Meanwhile, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s office confirmed his gift included a cleaning kit and 500 rounds of ammunition, forcing a swift assessment of import protocols.

Beyond the logistical friction, the move served as a blunt advertisement for Turkey’s arms sector. Turkey has aggressively expanded its footprint in the global small arms market, ranking as the world’s third-largest exporter between 2019 and 2024. With $3 billion in exports during that period, the country is actively challenging traditional manufacturers in Italy and Belgium, aiming to move from low-cost civilian pistols toward a more prominent role in international service weaponry.