Reed NewsReed News

Sweden's arms exports to Turkey surge after NATO accession

PoliticsPolitics
Key Points
  • Sweden's arms exports to Turkey rose 109% in 2025 after NATO accession.
  • Sweden has become more restrained in criticizing Turkey post-NATO application.
  • Human rights advocates urge Sweden to address democracy issues despite NATO membership.

Sweden's export of war materiel to Turkey increased sharply after its NATO accession, with a rise of 109 percent in 2025 compared to the previous year. Paul Levin, who leads the Institute for Turkey Studies at Stockholm University, says Sweden has become more restrained in criticizing Turkey after the NATO application. Isa Turan, from the Swedish Support Committee for Human Rights in Turkey, thinks Sweden should be able to highlight democracy issues despite NATO membership.

Sweden has become more restrained in criticizing Turkey after the NATO application.

Paul Levin, leads the Institute for Turkey Studies at Stockholm University
Commenting on how Sweden's foreign policy approach toward Turkey has changed following its NATO accession process

Sweden should be able to highlight democracy issues despite NATO membership.

Isa Turan, from the Swedish Support Committee for Human Rights in Turkey
Expressing the view that Sweden should continue to address human rights and democracy concerns with Turkey even as NATO allies

Transparency

How we verified this article

MediumBased on 4 sources
4 sources5 Involved