Turkey’s leader gives revolvers to every NATO leader as parting gift

NATO Leaders Receive Turkish Revolvers Following Ankara Summit

Turkey s leader gives revolvers to every – When Belgium’s prime minister arrived back home after Wednesday’s NATO gathering in Turkey, he discovered an unexpected item nestled within his travel bag. A firearm accompanied by ammunition had been placed among his belongings, creating a moment of pleasant surprise. This unusual souvenir came courtesy of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who distributed vintage revolvers to every attending leader as they departed the contentious summit held in Ankara.

A Symbol of Turkish Manufacturing Prowess

Erdogan’s gesture served multiple diplomatic purposes. Beyond being a courteous farewell token, the gifts were designed to highlight Turkey’s growing defense sector, which has evolved into both a significant commercial export and an instrument of foreign policy influence. The firearms were not merely decorative pieces; each came with live ammunition, confirming their functional nature.

Photographs circulated through Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda’s office revealed the specific model chosen for this diplomatic exchange. The weapon appeared to be the Gumusay .357 Magnum, a distinctive six-shooter manufactured by Turkish arms producer MKE during the 1990s. Each revolver arrived housed within an elegant wooden presentation case adorned with Turkey’s national flag alongside the NATO emblem. A commemorative plaque inside bore the inscription “Gumusay, the first revolver-type handgun produced in our country,” rendered in both Turkish and English languages.

Personalized Gifts for Each Leader

According to a spokesperson for Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, every head of state received an identical model, though each bore a unique engraving bearing the recipient’s name. This personalization added a meaningful touch to what was essentially a standardized diplomatic offering.

Reactions and arrangements varied considerably across nations. Belgian premier Bart De Wever chose to entrust his revolver to airport police in Brussels, ensuring it would be stored securely in a safe location. Meanwhile, an assistant to Polish President Karol Nawrocki informed Radio RMF FM that the Polish leader’s firearm remained at Warsaw Airport pending customs procedures. The aide emphasized that the weapon would be maintained “so that it is firstly safe and secondly respected as a gift,” adding with characteristic humor that “Certainly no one will be shooting it.”

The Dutch and Swedish prime ministers’ offices confirmed their respective revolvers had been transported to their embassies in Ankara. Distinctive plans emerged for each: the Dutch firearm was scheduled for mechanical disabling, while the Swedish example awaited completion of import documentation. Britain’s Keir Starmer received a particularly generous package, with a Downing Street source noting the gift included a cleaning kit alongside five hundred bullets. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s revolver found its way to the Palazzo Chigi, Turkey’s seat of government, where it joined other official state presents.

Diverse Futures for Diplomatic Firearms

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen expressed intentions to donate her revolver to a military museum, transforming the gift into a permanent educational artifact. The Greek leader similarly planned to present his firearm to the War Museum in Athens, ensuring it would serve future generations.

Turkey’s contemporary handgun sector primarily concentrates on semi-automatic models, making the Gumusay something of a collector’s treasure rather than a mainstream product. Turkish manufacturers have successfully penetrated Europe’s civilian firearms sector through competitively priced pistols and shotguns, directly competing with established Italian and Belgian brands that have long dominated the higher-end sporting and service weapon markets.

Data from the Geneva-based Small Arms Survey confirms Turkey’s impressive position in global arms trade. Between 2019 and 2024, the nation ranked as the world’s third-largest exporter of small arms, accumulating approximately three billion dollars in export revenue during that timeframe. Only the United States and Italy surpassed Turkey in this category, underscoring the country’s emergence as a formidable player in international defense commerce.

The gesture served multiple diplomatic purposes. Beyond being a courteous farewell token, the gifts were designed to highlight Turkey’s growing defense sector, which has evolved into both a significant commercial export and an instrument of foreign policy influence.