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| Military of Turkey | |
|---|---|
| Name | Turkish Armed Forces |
| Native name | Türk Silahlı Kuvvetleri |
| Founded | 1920 |
| Headquarters | Ankara |
| Commander in chief | Recep Tayyip Erdoğan |
| Minister of defense | Yaşar Güler |
| Commander | Yasin Aktaş |
| Active personnel | 355,200 (2024 est.) |
| Reserves | 380,000 |
| Defense budget | $X billion (2024 est.) |
| History | See sections |
Military of Turkey. The Turkish Armed Forces trace lineage from Ottoman Empire formations such as the Janissaries and the Imperial Ottoman Army through republican reforms by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk and the establishment of the Republic of Turkey. It has played roles in regional conflicts including the Turkish War of Independence, Cold War alignments with North Atlantic Treaty Organization, and contemporary operations involving Kurdistan Workers' Party insurgency, relations with Greece, and engagements in Syria and Libya.
The origins lie in the late Ottoman reforms under the Tanzimat and the modernization attempts during the Crimean War and Russo-Turkish War (1877–1878), transitioning into the Gallipoli Campaign and the Armistice of Mudros. The formation of the modern force was consolidated during the Turkish War of Independence led by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk and codified in the 1920s with influences from the Treaty of Lausanne. Post-World War II, alignment with NATO and participation in the Korean War shaped doctrine, while coups in 1960 Turkish coup d'état, 1971 Turkish military memorandum, 1980 Turkish coup d'état, and the failed 2016 Turkish coup d'état attempt affected civil-military relations. Operations against PKK, interventions in Cyprus including 1974 Turkish invasion of Cyprus, and involvement in the Syrian Civil War and Libyan Civil War (2014–present) reflect evolving missions.
Command is formally vested in the president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan as commander-in-chief, with civilian oversight through the Ministry of National Defense (Turkey) and the General Staff of the Turkish Armed Forces. The Joint Chiefs-equivalent structure coordinates the Land Forces Command (Turkey), Naval Forces Command (Turkey), and Air Force Command (Turkey), alongside the Gendarmerie General Command and the Coast Guard Command. Strategic doctrines reference alliances such as NATO and partnerships with Azerbaijan, dealings with Russia, and procurement relations involving United States and China suppliers.
Turkey maintains conscription mandated by law for males under the Military criminal law of Turkey with alternative service options influenced by reforms and exemptions; prominent debates involved legislators such as members of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey. Professionalization drives have expanded volunteer cadres trained at institutions like the Turkish Military Academy and the Air War College (Turkey). Notable figures include generals who served in Operation Olive Branch and other campaigns. Personnel policies intersect with human rights discussions involving organizations such as Human Rights Watch and legal bodies like the European Court of Human Rights.
- Land Forces: successor to Ottoman Army field formations, employing brigades and mechanized units with lineage to battles like Battle of Dumlupınar. - Naval Forces: heirs to Imperial Ottoman Navy traditions, operating frigates, corvettes, and submarines with names echoing Hayreddin Barbarossa and participating in disputes near Aegean Sea and Eastern Mediterranean. - Air Forces: evolved from early aviation units of the Ottoman Air Force, using jet fighters and transport aircraft; historic links to aviators from the Turkish War of Independence. - Gendarmerie: paramilitary policing rooted in Ottoman-era law enforcement, operating in rural provinces and cooperating with the Ministry of Interior (Turkey). - Coast Guard: maritime law enforcement tied to operations in the Marmara Sea and Black Sea.
Equipment ranges from legacy platforms like F-16 Fighting Falcon fighters acquired from the United States to indigenously developed systems such as the Anka (UAV) and T129 ATAK attack helicopters co-produced with Italy. Naval modernization includes TF-2000-class destroyer concepts, Ada-class corvette construction by ROKETSAN-partnered yards, and Gölcük Naval Shipyard work on submarines influenced by contracts with German Empire-descendant firms and designs like the Type 214 submarine. Air modernization involves procurement debates over F-35 Lightning II cancellation, talks regarding JAS 39 Gripen, and domestic initiatives including the Kaan (fighter) and TF-X programs with cooperation from universities and defense firms.
Turkey's defense industrial base centers on companies such as Aselsan, Roketsan, Turkish Aerospace Industries, Havelsan, and Baykar, producing electronics, missiles, UAVs, and airframes. Procurement balances foreign suppliers like Lockheed Martin, BAE Systems, and Rosoboronexport against export campaigns to Qatar, Pakistan, and Azerbaijan. Legislative mechanisms involve the Undersecretariat for Defence Industries (now Presidency of Defence Industries) and procurement laws affected by NATO interoperability standards and sanctions such as those imposed by the United States after S-400 (missile) purchase) controversies.
Turkish forces have conducted operations domestically against PKK elements and internationally in the Cyprus dispute, Bosnian War, Kosovo War, Iraq War (2003–2011), and interventions in Syria including Operation Euphrates Shield, Operation Olive Branch, and Operation Peace Spring. Contributions to NATO missions include deployments to Afghanistan under ISAF and to Bosnia and Herzegovina. Recent maritime deployments in the Eastern Mediterranean and involvement in Libya reflect strategic competition involving Greece, Egypt, and European Union actors.