Türkiye marks 73 years of NATO support with strong military presence

Türkiye has been a vital contributor to NATO’s international missions for 73 years, playing a key role in the alliance’s defense and deterrence efforts since joining in 1952.

Türkiye’s NATO membership and contributions

Türkiye officially became a NATO member on February 18, 1952, when then-President Celal Bayar signed the accession documents.

As the alliance’s 14th member, Türkiye joined NATO alongside Greece, strengthening the organization’s southern flank with its robust air, land, and naval forces.

Over the past seven decades, Türkiye has been among the top five contributors to NATO missions and operations.

Its strategic location at the crossroads of Europe, the Middle East, and Asia has made it a crucial player in responding to regional threats and security challenges.

Türkiye’s role in NATO pperations

Türkiye remains a leading ally in NATO-led operations, including:

• Counterterrorism efforts: Türkiye actively combats terrorism, including threats posed by Daesh, al-Qaeda, PKK/YPG, and FETO.
• Kosovo Force (KFOR): Türkiye is among the largest contributors to NATO’s KFOR mission. In 2023-2024, Türkiye assumed command of KFOR for one year and continues to serve as deputy commander.
• NATO Mission Iraq (NMI): Türkiye is one of the largest providers of military advisors and trainers assisting Iraq’s security forces since the mission’s inception in 2018.
• Naval and air operations: Türkiye plays a critical role in NATO’s maritime security, leading both the Standing NATO Maritime Group 2 (SNMG-2) and Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group 2 (SNMCMG-2).

Türkiye’s active role in NATO exercises

To strengthen interoperability and defense readiness, Türkiye actively participates in NATO exercises.

Turkish military personnel play a significant role in NATO’s defense capacity-building initiatives and multinational training programs.

In 2024, Türkiye’s defense expenditure is projected to reach 2.09% of its GDP, meeting NATO’s spending target. It also ranks eighth in contributions to NATO’s military budget, accounting for 4.59% of the alliance’s total funding.

Key NATO installations in Türkiye

Türkiye hosts several NATO headquarters and training centers, including:

• Allied Land Command (LANDCOM) in Izmir
• NATO Rapid Deployable Corps-Türkiye (NRDC-TUR) in Istanbul
• NATO Centre of Excellence for Defence Against Terrorism in Ankara
• NATO Maritime Security Centre of Excellence in Istanbul

Türkiye’s strategic importance to NATO

Türkiye remains a crucial NATO ally, balancing regional security challenges while contributing to the alliance’s collective defense initiatives. With a highly capable military, Türkiye continues to enhance NATO’s operational effectiveness and deterrence strategy across multiple domains.