Türkiye plans to sharply increase spending on national defence and security, with funding for the sector set to rise by 229% under the government’s new medium-term economic program.
Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz announced the planned increase during a presentation in Ankara of the government’s Medium-Term Economic Program, which sets out Türkiye’s economic priorities for 2027–2029, Caliber.Az reports, citing Turkish media.
Yılmaz said strengthening the country’s defence industry and achieving greater self-sufficiency in military technologies remain key national priorities.
“In the defence industry, we aim for a Türkiye that independently develops advanced technologies and produces high-value-added products,” he said.
The increased funding is expected to accelerate major defence projects, including the development of fighter jets, air defence systems, unmanned aerial vehicles and armored vehicles. It is also intended to reduce Türkiye’s reliance on imported military components and strengthen domestic production capabilities.
The planned spending increase comes as Türkiye expands its defence cooperation with other regional powers. Earlier, Türkiye, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan signed a trilateral defence agreement that provides for mutual support if any of the three countries comes under armed attack.
A NATO member, Türkiye has also continued to expand its indigenous defence capabilities in recent years, seeking to strengthen its strategic autonomy while maintaining its commitments within the alliance.
By Vafa Guliyeva
