Napoleon saw the Ottoman Empire's army as a potential ally or a force that he could exploit for his own strategic interests. He recognized the Ottoman Empire's military strength and its large standing army. However, it's important to note that the Ottoman Empire was already in decline during Napoleon's time, so its military capabilities may not have been as formidable as they once were. Nonetheless, Napoleon saw an opportunity to potentially leverage the Ottoman Empire's army to further his own ambitions in the region.