Turkish defense procurement spending proposed to rise 229% in 2027

BEIRUT — Turkish spending on platforms procurement is projected to increase by 229 percent under the proposed fiscal 2027 budget, Turkish Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz said Friday.

“Allocations for purchases of weapons, ammunition, weapons systems and other defense equipment — which constitute a significant portion of defense spending in the National Defense Ministry’s budget — have been increased by 229 percent,” he said during a ceremony in Ankara to finalize the government’s budget proposal.

The proposed budget calls for $44.5 billion in defense spending, with a separate $25.2 billion allocated for internal security. Yilmaz said the budget proposal has been sent to parliament for approval.

The announcement comes shortly after Turkish Land Forces demonstrated live fire capabilities at Ateş Serbest military exercise, which simulated a range of offensive and defensive scenarios. These included artillery and tanks firing; drones being neutralized by guns, lasers or microwave systems; unmanned ground vehicles being used to target threats or conduct medical evacuation; and F-16 fighter jets dropping bombs.

Yilmaz didn’t specify how much of the proposed increase would be allocated to procuring systems developed domestically versus importing defense platforms from abroad. However, he noted that Turkey has reduced its dependence on foreign suppliers.

The vice president’s remarks come as the Middle East seeks to recover from the war involving Iran, Israel and the United States and while the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia faces Houthi attacks. Vulnerabilities to air defenses have come under scrutiny, particularly following a Houthi attack on Riyadh airport.

Meanwhile, Turkey’s defense industry has seen increased interest in its platforms from Gulf states, as Turkish companies look to expand exports to the region.

On Friday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan also highlighted defense exports.

“Last year, we exported over $10 billion worth of defense and aerospace products to 180 different countries and regions,” Erdogan said in a separate event in Istanbul.