Turkish Armed Forces

Turkey's defense exports for the first 11 months of 2014 increased by 20 percent compared to the same period last year, hitting $1.5 billion, according to figures from the Turkish Exporters' Assembly released on Dec. 11.
     

A government motion for the implementation of a paid military service exemption was approved by Parliament early on Dec. 10.

Defense Minister İsmet Yılmaz admitted during the General Assembly session on Dec. 9 that the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) had clearly expressed its disapproval of paid military service exemptions, but defended the bill as necessary.

Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu has warned the Turkish military not to “talk through the media” if they have concerns.

Speaking to the press at Istanbul’s Atatürk Airport before his departure to Greece, Davutoğlu said the General Staff was connected to the Prime Ministry and did not need the media to express its concerns.

The Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) are managing more than 600 modernization projects to address the challenges of the world's new security environment, Lt. General Alpaslan Erdoğan, chief of the Plans and Policy Division of the Turkish General Staff, announced late Dec. 3.

The Turkish government revisited a fresh implementation of what is called “paid military service” on the eve of next year’s parliamentary elections, exempting those who are over 27-year-old from compulsory military service in return of an 18,000 Turkish Lira payment, as of Dec. 31.

Turkish defense producers aim to boost exports to $25 billion by 2023, from $1.5 billion this year, Defense Industry Undersecretary İsmail Demir stated on Nov. 28.    

Demir said Turkey aims to have defense companies among the top 100 major companies in the world, and to create at least three global brands in the defense sector.

Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of the Turkish Republic, has been commemorated on the 76th anniversary of his passing on Nov. 10, with official and unofficial ceremonies across the country.

In a written statement issued Nov. 9 for the occasion from the Presidency, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said the country remembered the founder of the Republic with mercy and respect.

Deputy Prime Minister Bülent Arınç has denied that the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) has been excluded from the Turkish government’s peace process to end the 30-year-long Kurdish issue.

Arınç’s words came in response to a motion filed by a deputy of the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) based on remarks by Chief of General Staff Gen. Necdet Özel on the issue.

Turkish and US military officials are continuing to discuss the use of Turkish military bases, including the İncirlik base, and its airspace in the fight against ISIL in Iraq and Syria, sources said

Turkish and U.S. military officials are continuing to discuss the use of Turkish military bases, including the İncirlik base, and its airspace in the fight against ISIL in Iraq and Syria, sources said