Türkiye presented a new Medium-Term Program (MTP) for 2027–2029, which envisages a major increase in funding for the defense industry and strategic technologies. As part of MTP, Türkiye will increase defense spending by 229%, Türkiye’s Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz announced at the Presidential Complex in Ankara.
“We aim for a Türkiye that develops its own technologies in the defense industry, can meet its own needs, and produces high-value-added products. In this context, we are increasing defense spending by 229%,” Yılmaz said.
Yılmaz stressed that defense and security are among the fundamental conditions for economic development, adding that budget resources will be directed towards Türkiye’s strategic needs.
Under the new MTP, the defense industry is identified as one of the priority sectors for technological independence and economic security. The program aims to strengthen R&D, production and innovation capabilities in critical areas, particularly in the defense industry, healthcare technologies, semiconductors, and artificial intelligence.
The government also plans to step up efforts to develop domestic capabilities in critical minerals, nuclear and hydrogen technologies, and critical equipment used in the energy and mining sectors.
The MTP envisages expanding the long-term ordering and procurement model used in Türkiye’s defense industry to other strategic sectors, including healthcare technologies, rail systems, energy equipment, electronics, and critical industrial inputs.
Significant increases in funding are also planned for strategic investments. Investments by the General Directorate of Mineral Research and Exploration (MTA) are set to rise by 139%, while investments in organized agricultural zones will increase by 103%, industrial infrastructure by 54%, and irrigation by 42%.
Under the new program, Türkiye aims to further strengthen its domestic defense industry and technology development capabilities, reduce dependence on foreign suppliers in critical technologies, and increase high-value-added production.