Development of the concept of an independent military-industrial complex of Turkey within its relations with the United States (1974-2007)

Abstract

The article examines the historical development of the idea of an independent defense industry in the Republic of Türkiye within the context of its relations with the United States. The chronological framework of the study covers the period from 1974 to 2007. The year 1974 was chosen as the starting point because it marked the introduction of the U.S. arms embargo on Türkiye following the Cyprus intervention. It was during this period that Turkish politicians began to advocate the necessity of developing an independent national defense industry. The year 2007 is considered the point at which this concept became firmly embedded in Türkiye’s defense doctrine. The study analyzes the main areas of cooperation between Ankara and Washington in the defense sector, including licensed production programs for F-16 fighter aircraft, the establishment of joint ventures, the development of national defense companies, and Türkiye’s participation in international military-industrial projects.

During the 1980s, the United States and Türkiye strengthened and expanded their cooperation in the field of defense production. American companies financed the construction of Turkish defense enterprises and supported the transition of the Turkish Armed Forces to NATO standards. The article also examines the factors that contributed to the transformation of Turkish defense policy following the end of the Cold War and the Gulf War of 1990-1991. It demonstrates that changes in the international environment, the growing regional role of Türkiye, and emerging security challenges led to large-scale military modernization and increased defense expenditures.

The study explores the institutionalization of the concept of an independent defense-industrial complex in the late 1990s. Particular attention is devoted to Decree No. 98/11173, ‘Principles of the Policy and Strategy of the Turkish Defense Industry’, and the White Paper of 2000. These documents established the priorities of domestic arms production, the promotion of scientific and technological research, support for defense exports, and the reduction of dependence on foreign suppliers. The article argues that these documents became the theoretical foundation of subsequent Turkish defense policy.

Special attention is also paid to the impact of the 2003 Iraq War on U.S.-Turkish relations. The study concludes that disagreements over the Iraqi issue accelerated the implementation of policies aimed at strengthening the domestic defense industry and encouraged Türkiye to withdraw from several projects that provided only limited access to foreign technologies. It is demonstrated that the policy framework formulated in the late 1990s remained largely consistent despite changes in political leadership and was subsequently continued by the government of Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

The research concludes that throughout the 1990s and 2000s, Türkiye consistently combined cooperation with the United States and other NATO partners with the development of its national defense industry. In doing so, it gradually formed a model of military-technological autonomy that became one of the key pillars of its national security and defense policy.