This chapter examines the historical foundations of Turkey–US aerospace and defense relations, focusing on the tension between foreign reliance and domestic capacity building. Beginning with the Ottoman Empire’s shift from indigenous production to dependence on European and American arms, it traces how this legacy shaped early Republican Turkey’s defense ambitions. The chapter highlights Turkey’s initial efforts to build a national defense industry, followed by a post–World War II pivot toward US military aid in response to Soviet threats. This strategic realignment culminated in Turkey’s NATO membership and extensive US assistance through multiple programs which modernized the Turkish Armed Forces, particularly the air force, while reinforcing dependency on foreign systems. Though this partnership enhanced Turkey’s short-term defense posture, it also hindered the development of a sustainable domestic industry. The chapter sets the stage for understanding how Cold War geopolitics and alliance commitments influenced the structure and direction of Turkey’s defense sector for decades to come.