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Türkiye, which joined NATO on Feb. 18, 1952, continues to stand out within the alliance through its defense industry capabilities and contributions to NATO operations and missions.
Founded in 1949 to form collective defense against the Soviet threat after World War II, NATO expanded for the first time in 1952 with the accession of Türkiye and Greece, bringing the number of members to 14. Today, the alliance has 32 members.
Within NATO, Türkiye plays critical roles in key missions and exercises with its high-capacity air, land and naval forces.
Türkiye has gained prominence among NATO countries in recent years due to advances in its defense industry.
More than 3,500 companies operate in Türkiye’s defense sector, compared to around 2,800 across 29 European NATO allies combined.
Turkish-made armed unmanned aerial vehicles have drawn growing global interest after proving themselves in combat. Türkiye holds a 65% share of the global unmanned aerial vehicle market.
In overall defense exports between 2020 and 2024, Türkiye ranked 11th worldwide.
Over the past 74 years, Türkiye has provided critical contributions to NATO, particularly as a frontline ally confronting terrorism threats in its region.
The Turkish Armed Forces, NATO’s second-largest army, is considered among the most experienced within the alliance, particularly due to its active role in counterterrorism.
Türkiye is one of the largest contributors to NATO’s Kosovo Force and currently holds the KFOR command for the 2023-2024 period.
Among 32 allies, Türkiye ranks seventh in contributions to the NATO budget. Its total contribution to the alliance is expected to reach €300 million ($355.25 million) this year and €620 million by 2030.
The Turkish Armed Forces are participating in NATO’s largest exercise this year, Steadfast Dart 2026, with around 2,000 personnel and the Amphibious Task Group led by the TCG Anadolu.
Türkiye is also the largest contributor among non-European Union members to the European Union Force in Bosnia and Herzegovina (EUFOR Althea).
Since July 4, 2025, Türkiye has been commanding the NATO Allied Reaction Force, the Amphibious Task Force Command and the Landing Force Command.
Beyond its role on NATO’s southeastern flank, Türkiye provides strategic value by enabling the alliance’s access to the Black Sea, the Middle East and the Eastern Mediterranean.
Through its military, Türkiye contributes significantly to NATO’s deterrence and serves as a key part of the Euro-Atlantic security architecture.
Due to its geographic proximity to regional crises, Türkiye enhances NATO’s rapid response capacity.
NATO membership also strengthens Türkiye’s military modernization and international cooperation, while intelligence sharing and early warning systems support its national security.
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