Turkey Builds a Major Military Force Raising Concerns in Israel
Tensions between Israel and Turkey, particularly over Turkey's military operations in Syria, have brought renewed attention to the strength of the Turkish armed forces. According to Global Firepower projections for 2026, Turkey maintains approximately 481,000 active military personnel, 380,000 reservists, and around 150,000 paramilitary forces, ranking it tenth worldwide in active troop numbers. The Turkish army fields about 2,284 tanks, 98,000 military vehicles, over 1,000 self-propelled artillery systems, 635 towed artillery pieces, and 237 rocket launchers, though these figures represent total inventory rather than immediately deployable assets.
The Turkish Air Force is also substantial, with an estimated 1,101 aircraft including 201 fighter jets, 84 transport planes, 301 trainers, and 509 helicopters. The F-16 fighter jets form the backbone of its combat fleet, while Turkey is developing its indigenous KAAN fighter and seeking to rejoin the U.S. F-35 program. Turkey has become a key player in drone technology, with the Baykar company producing the internationally recognized Bayraktar TB2 drones and expanding its UAV systems. Reuters reports that Turkish defense exports reached about $10 billion in 2025, tripling since 2021.
The Turkish Navy comprises 192 vessels, including 17 frigates, nine corvettes, and 14 submarines, operating in the Black Sea, Aegean Sea, and Mediterranean. Behind this military capacity is a rapidly growing defense industry: over 4,500 defense companies operate in Turkey today, up from just 56 in 2002. The number of defense projects has surpassed 1,400, and local production has risen from roughly 20% two decades ago to over 85% currently.
NATO data estimates Turkey's defense spending at about $32.6 billion in 2025, or 2.33% of its GDP, with Global Firepower projecting $51.4 billion for 2026. Turkey has been a NATO member since 1952 and is considered the alliance's second-largest military force after the United States. The combination of a large personnel base, extensive weaponry, significant air and naval forces, advanced drone capabilities, and a largely self-sufficient defense industry positions Turkey as a major military power in the region, a development that is causing concern in Israel amid ongoing regional tensions.
