After the request to join the BRICS group, Turkey, while remaining a member of NATO, is constantly upgrading its geopolitical role.
The scenario of the conflict between Iran and Israel is expected to give regional character to the Gaza Strip crisis as the total fronts are seven. Against this backdrop, it plans to spend a total of $47 billion on defense and security next year, according to the government’s budget proposal on Thursday, October 17.
The Turkish vice president Cevdet Yilmaz said during a briefing at the presidency that the government intends to:
- set aside 913.9 billion Turkish liras ($26.8 billion) for defense spending.
- This will also include £165 billion for the defense industry support fund.
- The budget also provides £694.5bn for internal security needs, which cover the costs of the Home Office, the police, the National Intelligence Service and other related services.
Turkey’s defense spending has been steadily increasing in recent years. The 2024 defense and security budget was about $40 billion, which means 2025 defense spending will see a 17.5 percent increase.
Ankara is currently conducting military operations in Syria and Iraq and operates military bases in Libya, Somalia and Qatar. In addition, it has a permanent presence in Northern Cyprus.
Since Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan took power in 2003, the Turkish government has been investing heavily in the local arms industry, from drones, ballistic missiles and cannons to warships, tanks and armored vehicles.
Regional conflicts
Ankara is also concerned about the escalation of armed conflicts in the region. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said on Thursday (10/17) that Turkey must prepare for an Israel-Iran war and therefore will take every available measure.
The government earlier this month introduced a new tax measure to inject more cash into the Defense Industry Support Fund. The plan proposed asking citizens with credit cards with limits above £100,000 to pay £750 a year to cover additional defense projects ordered by the government.
The ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) withdrew the proposal earlier this week after heavy criticism. The opposition and experts said it was unconstitutional because it involved a tax burden based on a credit limit rather than actual income.
Ankara is currently exploring other means to cover spending mainly in the defense industry.
