Continuous expansion of Türkiye’s military-industrial complex

In modern political and policy debates, particularly those concerning regional and global powers, the military-industrial complex remains a consequential yet often overlooked topic. States with large arms manufacturers serve as hubs where this phenomenon expands, becoming deeply embedded within the state and its administration. Understanding the roots of the military-industrial complex is therefore essential.

Beginning in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, rapid industrialization and the evolution of modern warfare created a powerful, co-dependent relationship between states and arms manufacturers. During World War I and World War II, mass mobilization in the United States, Soviet Union, Nazi Germany and elsewhere, combined with resource shortages and disrupted industries, made states highly dependent on the arms industry. This dependence empowered defense companies to influence policy, advise on conflict resolution and secure economic gains from government institutions.