Turkey will allocate more than $40 billion to its defence budget for 2024, which marks a 150-percent increase compared to this year, according to a presentation made by Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz.

In 2023, Turkey allocated about 16 billion dollars for its defence and security. Yilmaz said the government aims to double defence industry exports to $11 billion from $6 billion today.

He added that the Turkish defence industry will increase its self-sufficiency to 85%, compared to this year’s 80%. Turkey attaches great importance to its self-sufficiency and has invested billions of dollars in recent years in its defence industry.

Turkey’s National Assembly also voted to extend the mandate allowing security forces to conduct cross-border operations in Syria and Iraq for another two years.

The order was first issued in 2013, when the international campaign against the Islamic State was underway. It has since been renewed annually until 2021, when a two-year renewal was granted.

It is essential for Turkey’s national security to take the necessary measures, based on international law, against any kind of danger, threats or actions that may constitute a threat, states the text signed by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

The text also provides for the possibility of deploying foreign military forces in Turkey. This article provoked a strong reaction from the Republican People’s Party (CHP), the largest opposition party.

Source: APA MPA

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