Turkey bets on homegrown tech with 229% defense spending boost
Turkey unveiled a three-year plan to boost defense spending by 229% for 2027-2029 to develop domestic technologies and high-value weapons, backing projects such as the TF-KAAN fighter jet, the KIZILELMA unmanned aircraft and more than 10 ALTAY tanks. Announced by Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz as part of the new Medium-Term Program, the rise is the largest among seven priority areas and aims to cut reliance on imports amid regional tensions and global economic shifts. SIPRI data show Turkey spent about $30 billion in 2025, underscoring its position as a major global arms spender.