Türkiye plans to allocate over $51 billion to defense and internal security in 2026, according to the Clash Report.
Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz said in remarks to parliament that the government has set aside ₺2.155 trillion ($51.4 billion) for defense and internal security-related expenditures. The combined amount represents about 11.4 percent of Türkiye’s total projected outlays for 2026, which are estimated at ₺18.93 trillion ($452.3 billion).
The 2026 plan includes ₺1.202 trillion ($28.7 billion) for the Ministry of National Defense and military procurement programs, and ₺953 billion ($22.7 billion) for law enforcement agencies such as the police, gendarmerie, and coast guard.
The proposed budget reflects an approximate 34 percent increase in defense and security allocations compared to 2025. Officials attribute the rise to growing personnel expenses, expansion of unmanned systems and missile programs, and continuing cross-border operations in northern Syria and Iraq.
“Defense spending will remain a top priority, supporting both ongoing operations and modernization initiatives,” Vice President Yılmaz said.
Education will remain the largest expenditure category, with ₺2.89 trillion ($69 billion) allocated. Defense follows as the second-largest line item, ahead of health and social welfare services.
While the ₺2.155 trillion figure covers direct expenditures, Türkiye also uses off-budget mechanisms to fund defense development. The Defense Industry Support Fund (SSDF), used to finance procurement and development through the country’s defense industry agency, is expected to push actual defense outlays even higher than reported in the main budget.
Türkiye has increasingly relied on its domestic defense industry to reduce dependence on foreign suppliers. In recent years, the government has expanded production of drones, armored vehicles, and guided munitions, often citing operational needs tied to the country’s military operations along its southern border and overseas deployments.
Budget deliberations are ongoing in the Turkish Grand National Assembly and are expected to conclude later this year.
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