You underestimate Turkey's ability to punch above its weight. Let's explore their unique approach to bridging such gaps. They are adept at playing their geopolitical poker; meaning what they lack in R&D they get through coaxing disgruntled NATO partners.
For example, Turks have been coaxing the British to cooperate in many defense areas, including the engines for the TF-X. Rolls Royce is currently their partner. BAE Systems has already signed an agreement to collaborate with them on Project Tempest. As UK's economy weakens and it becomes more irrelevant politically, it will want to do anything to stay relevant, meaning Turkey will extract some concessions that the British might not want to part ways with. BTW Rolls Royce is also going to power the Japanese Mitsubishi F-3 ShinShin.
Turks are also actively involved in cooperating with Austria and Finland for armored vehicle design & development. The Otokar 8x8 is a classic example of a derivation of the Patria and Pandur series of armored vehicles. Given how desperate Finland and Sweden are to get into NATO, they will extract many more concessions from them.
Take a smart guess as to what could the Turkish demands be. My guesses:
- Extradite Gulenists and Ergenekon members hiding in Sweden & Finland as refugees
- Part with critical tech in armor, electronic warfare & some other areas
- Recognize and sanction PKK as a terror outfit including all its offshoots
- Affirm the Turkish government's line on sovereignty/political thought/ideology etc.,
As I said, they are not tech-savvy, but they are resourceful. They know how to play their geopolitical cards well.
Do not underestimate them.
If they can:
- sell TB2 drones to Ukraine that took out columns of Russian tanks & troops
- get trained in S-400 missiles from the Russians,
- send mix signals by defying NATO allies on not sanctioning Russia
- secure a foothold in the Caucasus by backing Azerbaijan
- needle us 4000 miles away
then you are seeing a Turks support these guys resourceful country.