Turkey to increase military budget to record $47 billion in 2025
20 October, 2024 Soldiers of the ground forces of Turkey. Photo from open sources The Turkish Ministry of Defense announced a significant increase in defense spending in 2025 due to instability in the region.
Middle East Eye reported on this. Turkey's military budget for 2025 will amount to £47 billion, which is 17.5% more than in 2024. It should be noted that, in addition to the unstable situation, Turkey seeks to remain an important player in the Middle East and to have its own means to support the deterrence forces.
Korkut self-propelled anti-aircraft guns. Photo credits: Turkish Ministry of Defense
Turkey spends significant funds to expand its own defense industry, which is becoming increasingly independent of foreign products every year. Thus, 2025 could be a turning point for Turkey, as the country expects to receive the Turkish-made Altay main battle tank, new drones, and launch new surface warships.
It is worth noting that the new defense budget includes £4.5 billion to support the domestic defense industry, which will be used for certain research and development activities. In addition, Turkey is pursuing the goal of developing a modern KAAN fighter jet, the development of which has been somewhat delayed due to significant costs. In addition to increasing funding, Turkey is also looking for partner countries that would be interested in joining the project and providing partial funding.
Turkish amphibious assault ship Anadolu at the commissioning ceremony of the ship, April 10, 2023
The Turkish defense industry is also actively developing due to export orders, primarily unmanned aerial vehicles, which are actively exported to European countries.
To date, four of the 10 users of Bayraktar TB2 drones are European countries. In addition, the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) has signed a contract with Turkish drone manufacturer Baykar to support a fleet of Polish Bayraktar TB2s. Militarnyi previously reported that the Otokar company won a tender in Romania for the supply of 1059 4x4 tactical light armored vehicles worth £934 million.
The tender, worth approximately £947.4 million, provided for the purchase of not only 1,059 4x4 tactical wheeled light armored vehicles, but also comprehensive logistics services.