Türkiye to Spend $51 Billion on Security in 2026

Türkiye’s 2026 draft budget signals one of its strongest security commitments in years. Turkish Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz told lawmakers that ₺2.155 trillion ($51.4 billion) will go to defense and internal security.

Defense and Security Spending Overview

The proposed budget sets ₺1.202 trillion ($28.7 billion) for the Ministry of National Defense and military procurement, and ₺953 billion ($22.7 billion) for internal security institutions such as the police, gendarmerie, and coast guard.

Together, these items make up 11.4 percent of total expenditures of ₺18.93 trillion ($452.3 billion). The increase of roughly 34 percent from 2025 reflects higher personnel costs, drone and missile projects, and border operations in Syria and Iraq. Off-budget funding through the Defense Industry Support Fund (SSDF) is expected to lift total defense spending further.

Defense remains the second-largest category after education (₺2.89 trillion / $69 billion), followed by health and social welfare.