Turkey backs NATO's 5 percent defense spending goal, plans nationwide air shield: Source
NATO allies on Wednesday agreed to raise their collective spending goal to 5 percent of gross domestic product over the next decade, citing the long-term threat posed by Russia and the need to strengthen civil and military resilience.
'Turkey is above the 2 percent target criterion under the Defense Spending Pledge,' the source said. 'As NATO's second-largest army, Turkey is among the top five contributors to the alliance's operations and missions.'
The source said Turkey had fulfilled all its NATO capability targets and was continuing to invest in defense industry development and research. It plans to expand a layered air defense network across the country, centered around its national 'Steel Dome' project.
'We are investing in air defense systems, hypersonic, ballistic and cruise missile capabilities, unmanned land, sea and air systems, as well as next-generation aircraft carriers, frigates, and tanks,' the source said.
The new NATO target includes at least 3.5 percent of GDP for core defense spending, with the remainder to be spent on security-related infrastructure to improve civil preparedness and resilience.
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