Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan drew international attention after presenting engraved revolvers as farewell gifts to world leaders attending the NATO Summit in Ankara. The unusual diplomatic gesture highlighted Turkiye’s defence industry while creating logistical and legal challenges for several visiting delegations returning home with firearms and live ammunition.
According to reports, every NATO leader received the same Gumusay .357 Magnum revolver, a rare handgun manufactured by Turkish state owned defence company MKE during the 1990s. Each revolver was displayed in a wooden presentation case featuring the Turkish flag, the NATO logo, and a personalized nameplate for the recipient. The gift also included live ammunition, making it more than just a ceremonial collectible.
Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever reportedly discovered the revolver in his luggage upon arriving home and immediately handed it over to airport police for secure storage. Similar arrangements were made by several other leaders. The United Kingdom’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer received a revolver accompanied by a cleaning kit and 500 rounds of ammunition, while the leaders of the Netherlands and Sweden transferred their gifts to their embassies in Ankara until import procedures could be completed.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen plans to donate her revolver to a military museum, while Greece’s leadership intends to place the firearm in the War Museum in Athens. Polish officials also confirmed that their gift would be securely stored after customs clearance.
The gifts served as a showcase for Turkiye’s expanding defence industry, which has become an increasingly important part of the country’s export strategy and foreign policy. Turkish firearms manufacturers have steadily expanded their presence in international markets by offering competitively priced sporting and service weapons.
According to the Small Arms Survey, Turkiye ranked as the world’s third largest exporter of small arms between 2019 and 2024, generating approximately $3 billion in exports during that period. The presentation of the vintage revolvers at the NATO summit underscored Ankara’s ambition to further strengthen its reputation as a leading global defence exporter.
