Turkey plans 229% defense spending increase over three years to develop domestic military technology

Turkey plans to increase defense spending by 229% over the next three years, with the government linking the rise to a drive for domestic military technology and higher-value production.

Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz announced the plan during a presentation of Turkey's new Medium-Term Program, which sets out the country's economic roadmap for 2027-2029. "In the defense industry, we aim for a Turkey that develops its own technology and produces high added value," Yilmaz said. "We are increasing defense spending by 229%."

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In the defense industry, we aim for a Turkey that develops its own technology and produces high added value.

The defense increase is the largest among seven priority areas in the program. Spending on social housing is set to rise by 150%, mining exploration by 139%, industrial infrastructure by 54%, railways by 49%, health by 43% and food supply security by 42%.

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We are increasing defense spending by 229%.

Turkey-based military technology site Envanter Medya said the additional funding would support major projects. These include mass production of the TF-KAAN fighter jet, the first deliveries of the KIZILELMA unmanned fighter aircraft and the delivery of more than 10 ALTAY tanks to the Land Forces.

Yilmaz said global economic, technological and geopolitical developments had become increasingly intertwined, while predictability had fallen and risks had risen. He also said the war with Iran had affected energy and commodity prices, global trade, inflation expectations and growth forecasts. Turkey's military spending reached $30 billion in 2025, making it the world's 18th-largest military spender, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. SIPRI said spending rose 7.2% from the previous year, driven by operations in Iraq, Somalia and Syria and, above all, investment in Turkey's domestic defense industry.

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The global economy has recently been going through a new period in which economic, technological and geopolitical developments are intertwined, predictability has decreased, and risks have risen to historically high levels.