Speaking at the “Allies In Ankara” event in the Turkish capital on Tuesday, National Defense Minister Yaşar Güler emphasized Türkiye’s expanding role in NATO as the heads of state and government convened for a two-day summit.
“Türkiye possesses a very large, professional, active armed force. Its defense industry is also growing. The growth is sustained in this region where high security is needed. Türkiye’s efforts (for growth) are upgraded to a strategic gain and a significant edge,” Güler said.
Türkiye welcomes the growing commitment among NATO allies to increase defense spending, but higher budgets must be translated into concrete military capabilities, trained personnel and resilient defense industries, Güler also said.
The event is organized jointly by the Turkish Presidency’s Communications Directorate, the Foundation for Political, Economic and Social Research (SETA), and the Munich Security Conference and began on the same day as the summit, which is expected to decide the fate of the alliance in the changing global order.
"Increasing defense spending is important, yet spending money alone does not produce deterrence,” he said.
