Nationalization of the Turkish defense industry in the post-1974 period: A comparative examination through theoretical and empirical analysis

In the Turkish defense industry, a notable transformation has occurred, particularly focusing on reducing reliance on foreign suppliers and enhancing domestic research, development, and production infrastructure. This transformation was initiated by the US military embargo following the 1974 Cyprus intervention, which prompted Türkiye to reconsider its defense industry strategies. As a result, significant progress has been made in establishing the defense industry ecosystem, adopting policies that promote local and national development, and increasing international cooperation. This article examines the development of Türkiye's defense industry through theoretical and empirical analysis. Firstly, using Realism and Liberalism of the International Relations theories, the development of the Turkish defense industry is explained in detail. Then, the trends in military expenditure as a percentage of gross domestic product (GDP), one of the main indicators of defense industry development, are analyzed using regression analysis for specific periods.