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Abstract

This study examines Turkey’s national defense industry through the lens of the military-industrial complex (MIC), a concept predominantly analyzed in the American context. Using five criteria—scope, roots, leadership dynamics, autonomy, and influence—it explores the current state of the MIC in Turkey. By integrating historical and contemporary dynamics, the study contributes to the scarce literature on MIC structures outside the United States, offering a nuanced understanding of Turkey’s defense industry within its unique sociopolitical context. Findings reveal an “emerging MIC” characterized by limited political influence and an uncertain trajectory.

Keywords

defense industry military-industrial complex Turkish defense companies Turkish foreign policy Turkish politics

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The Military-Industrial Complex in Turkey: Myth or Reality?

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