ABSTRACT
Turkey became a NATO member in 1949. After this membership, Turkey abandoned its defense industry and relied on US defense aids. After the military sanctions, Turkey saw the need for a domestic defense industry and has made significant progress in developing its defense industry. This chapter critically analyzes Turkey’s defense industry trend and developments, defense procurement policy and future plans together with world developments. The main threats to Turkey are the problem of the continental shelf with Greece, the Cyprus issue, the Syrian civil war and migration, the conflict in Iraq, the Armenian issue and terrorist groups. Technological progress in the Turkish defence industry is helping Turkey to become a major arms exporter in the region. Turkey depends on the US for the supply of fighter aircraft but is having problems with the US. Therefore, it aimed to produce its own fighter aircraft. The potential of the Turkish defense industry depends on the development of a long-term and robust industrial policy and technology management strategy. Turkey will develop in the near future as a new force in the defense industry.
