TURKISH ARMY

The 'Turkish Army' (Turkish: ''Türk Kara Kuvvetleri'') is a branch of the Turkish Armed Forces.
The Turkish Army is one of the largest standing armies in the world and the second largest army of NATO. The total number of troops is around 1,043,550 including conscripts drafted for compulsory military service. The Turkish Army can deploy an Army Corps of 100,000 men to conduct joint operations at short notice. The Army can conduct air assault operations with a lift capability of up to 7 battalions at a time, day and night.
Chief of the Turkish General Staff: General Yaşar Büyükanıt
Commander of the Army: General İlker Başbuğ

Contents

History

Foundation of the Republic of Turkey

World War II

Cold War Era

Modernization

Mission

Structure

Branch Insigna

Insignia

Main Equipment

Small Arms

Source

References and notes

External links

History

Main articles: Military history of Turkey

Foundation of the Republic of Turkey

The Turkish Army has its foundations in remnant Ottoman forces inherited after the fall of the Ottoman Empire at the end of World War I. The rise of Turkish nationalism in Anatolia, under the leadership of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, led eventually to victory in the Turkish War of Independence, and subsequently to the founding of the Republic of Turkey, at which time these remnant forces were reorganized into the Turkish Army.

World War II

Turkey remained neutral until the final stages of World War II, and tried to maintain an equal distance between both the Axis and the Allies. However, at the Second Cairo Conference in 1943, Roosevelt, Churchill and Inönü reached an agreement on issues regarding Turkey's possible contribution to the Allies, and it was decided that Turkey should maintain her neutrality and thus block the Axis from reaching the strategic oil reserves of the Middle East. Even though Turkey never fought against the Axis, the Turkish Armed Forces were fully mobilized and remained on alert throughout the war, ready to confront a possible invasion after the Axis forces took control of neighbouring Bulgaria and Greece.

Cold War Era

Turkey participated in the Korean War as a member state of the United Nations, suffering 731 deaths in combat.
Following its membership of NATO on February 18, 1952, the Republic of Turkey initiated a comprehensive modernization program for its Armed Forces.
In July 1974, the Turkish Armed Forces intervened against a coup in Cyprus, organized by EOKA-B and led by Nikos Sampson who ousted the democratically elected Cypriot President Archbishop Makarios III in order to establish Enosis (Union) between Greece and Cyprus. The coup was backed by the Greek military junta in Athens. The conflict in Cyprus lasted until August 1974 and resulted in the de-facto division of the island between the Turkish Cypriot controlled north and the Greek Cypriot controlled south. Turkey still maintains troops in Cyprus, since a political solution could not yet be achieved, and since many members of the Turkish Cypriot community fear a return to the intercommunal violence which occurred between 1963 and 1974.^[1][2] A referendum in 2004 for the Annan Plan which aimed at reunifying the island was supported by the Turkish Cypriots, but rejected by the Greek Cypriots, on the pretext that it gave too many rights and political power to the Turkish Cypriots who make up 1/5 of the island's population.

Modernization

Towards the end of the 1980s, a restructuring and modernization process has been initiated by the Turkish Armed Forces, which still continues today. The final goal of Turkey is to produce indigenous military equipment and to become increasingly self-sufficient in terms of military technologies.

Mission

Turkey is located in a vitally important and challenging region with various political regimes, religions, economic systems and military powers. Due to its strategic position surrounded by the Black, Aegean and the Mediterranean Seas, as well as the Balkans, the Caucasus and the Middle East, it is a focal point where international geostrategic lines and routes of the three continents of the Old World (Europe, Asia and Africa) intersect. Turkey, which controls the Turkish Straits, is also well positioned to control the Suez Canal and consequently the maritime traffic in the region.
Eastern and Southeastern Anatolia are the shortest land and air transport routes to the vast energy resources in the Middle East. Radical changes are taking place in the region around Turkey, and these changes bring great challenges with them. While the uncertainties in the content and duration of these changes continue, Turkey stands firm as an element of stability in the region.

In this environment of uncertainty, the threat to the security of Turkey is no longer comprised solely of the various regimes and military powers in the region, but also of political, economic and social instabilities, border disputes, struggles of power and terrorism.
In addition to the regional crises, the Turkish Armed Forces must -based on political decisions- also be prepared to respond to the crises which pose a threat to global peace.
Strictly adhering to Atatürk’s principle, ''"Peace at Home, Peace in the World"'', the Armed Forces of the Republic of Turkey is determined not to pursue any aggressive intentions, but will take action when the independence of the Turkish state and the security and honour of the Turkish nation will be attacked; in parallel with the common ideals of international organizations and treaties of which Turkey is a member and signatory.
As a member of the NATO Alliance, the Republic of Turkey has ensured an increased sense of security to her allies and has contributed to the protection of global peace as well. Turkey continues to cooperate with NATO countries in the field of defense and fully supports the initiatives towards global disarmament and arms control. In this context, Turkey is committed to a global disarmament plan that is realized under an effective control mechanism, which does not adversely affect the security of any nation.
In an environment full of hot conflicts, Turkey, having great importance as the last link within the NATO defense chain, must have a powerful national defense capability and a strong Army that's ready to effectively react against potential dangers.
The main elements of the Turkish Defense Doctrine are the determination for national defense, NATO solidarity and loyalty to the Turkish Armed Forces.

Structure

Turkish Army is organized into the following commands:

★ Land Forces Command (Turkish:''Kara Kuvvetleri Komutanlığı (KKK)'')

★
★ 1st Army Command - Istanbul

★
★ 2nd Army Command - Malatya

★
★ 3rd Army Command - Erzincan

★
★ Aegean Army Command - İzmir

★
★ Cyprus Turkish Forces Command - Girne, Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus

★
★ Training and Doctrine Command

★
★ Logistics Command

★
★ Army Aviation Command
These commands consist of the following structure:

★ 10 Army Corps (including II and probably XV Corps(plus III Corps/NATO Rapid Deployment Corps-Turkey[1]))

★ 2 Mechanized Infantry Divisions,

★ 2 Mechanized Infantry Division Headquarters (Tactical),

★ 1 Infantry Division and 1 Training Division,

★ 14 Mechanized Infantry Brigades,

★ 14 Armored Brigades,

★ 12 Infantry/Regional Security Brigades,

★ 5 Commando Brigades,

★ 5 Training Brigades.

Branch Insigna

★ General staff

★ Infantry

★ Cavalry

★ Tank

★ Artillery

★ Bulwark

★ Correspondence

★ Communications

★ Air defence

★ Supplies

★ Medical, dental and pharmaceutical corps

★ Veterinary corps

★ Engineer, chemist and technician corps

★ Military police
----

Insignia

★ 1 Honorary/War time rank.

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Main Equipment

'TURKISH ARMY'
' Main battle tanks '
0	Turkish Tank Project (more than 1000 MBTs will be built up to 2015)
298	Leopard 2A4
77	Leopard 1A3T1/TU120
150	Leopard 1A3T1
166	Leopard 1A1A4 (under Volkan Tank Improvement Project)[3]
170	M60T (under M60 Tank Modernization Project)[4]
650	M60A3 TTS
105	M60A1 RISE Passive
750	M 48A5T2 (upgraded to M 60A3 Standard)
600	M 48A5T1 (upgraded to M 60A1 Standard)
100+	M 48T5 (upgraded and converted to ARVs)
1200	M 48A5 (in reserve)
' Armored personnel carriers '
650	FNSS Armored infantry fighting vehicle (AIFV)
1375	FNSS Advanced armored personnel carrier (AAPC)
48	FNSS Armored TOW vehicle (ATV)
170	FNSS Armored mortar vehicle (AMV) (self-propelled 81 mm mortar)
2750	M 113 A1/A2/A3 Armored Personel Carrier
10+	M 125A (self-propelled M-29 81mm mortar)
175	M 106A (self-propelled M-30 107mm mortar)
150	M 113 TOW
250+	Otokar Akrep (4x4)[5]
375+	Otokar Cobra (4x4)[5][7]
240	BTR-80 (8x8)
50+	FNSS Pars (8x8) (+52 ordered)[8]
100+	Otokar Yavuz (8x8)
'Helicopters'
21	Sikorsky S-70A28 Blackhawk (13 will undergo Aselsan avionics upgrade, 8 SOF)
52	Sikorsky S-70D28 Blackhawk (5 SAR, 2 SOF CSAR, 4 ambulance, 41 utility)
28	Eurocopter AS-532UL Cougar Mk1 (4 SAR, 4 ambulance, 16 utility, 4 VIP)
28	Bell AB206B3 JetRanger
23	Agusta Bell AB205AT/2020
27	Agusta Bell AB205A1
52	Bell UH-1H/2020-ASAM
20	Bell UH-1D
42	Bell UH-1H Iroquois (24 for training)
' Attack helicopters '
0	Agusta Westland T129 (a total of 50 ''(+41 optional)'' will be produced in Turkey)[9][10][11]
9	Bell AH-1W Super Cobra
32	Bell AH-1P/S Cobra
1	Bell TAH-1P Cobra (Combat Trainer)
' Air-to-ground missiles '
215	Hellfire II K2 (for the AH-1W Super Cobra helicopters)
n/a	TOW II (for the AH-1S/P Cobra helicopters)
' Anti-aircraft missiles '
30+	Atılgan KMS (1x8 FIM-92B/C Stinger)
24+	Zıpkın KMS (1x4 FIM-92 Stinger)
800+	FIM 92B/C Stinger RPM (4875 missiles)
1000+	FIM-43A Redeye
40	9M39 Igla (SA-18 Grouse)
' Anti-tank missiles '
390+	MILAN With MIRA thermal sights
365	BGM-71 TOW I/II/A/B
40000+	M72 A2 LAW (66mm)
5000+	RPG-7 (40mm)
550	ERYX (1200 missiles)
70	9M113M Konkurs (AT5 Spandrel) (420 missiles)
185	Cobra (for training)
' Anti-aircraft guns '
300	L/70 & L/70T Bofors (40mm) (50 with Officine Galileo P56 optical sight)
600+	L/60 & M1A1 Bofors (40mm)
100+	Oerlikon GDF-001 (2x35mm)
120	Oerlikon GDF-003 (2x35mm)
440	Oerlikon GAI-D01 (2x20mm)
300+	Rheinmetall Mk.20 Rh202 (2x20mm)
110	M42 Duster (2x40mm)
900	M55 (4x12.7mm)
' Rocket artillery '
5	TR-300 Kasırga WS-1A (4x302mm, 80km)
25	TR-300 Kasırga WS-1B (4x302mm, 180km)
72	ATACMS MGM 140 Block I (165km)
12	M-270 MLRS
50+	T-122 MLRS (40x122mm, 40km)
48	TR-107 MLRS (12x107mm)
24	RA 7040 MLRS (40x70mm)
n/a	TOROS 230A (8x230mm, 65km)
n/a	TOROS 260A (8x260mm, 110km)
36	YILDIRIM B-611 Theater Quasiballistic Missile (250km)
' Self-propelled artillery '
100+	T 155 Fırtına (K9T) 155/52 SP-2000 (155mm) (a total of 350 will be produced)[12]
215	M110 (203mm)
36	M107 (175mm)
9	M 55 (203mm)
222	M 44T (155mm) (upgraded)
365	M 52T (155mm) (upgraded)
25	M 108T (155mm) (upgraded)
'Towed artillery'
142	T 155 Panter 155/52 FT-2000 (155mm) (a total of 400 will be produced)[5]
825	M 101 (105mm)
535	M 114 (155mm)
150	M 115 (203mm)
175	M 116 (75mm)
150	M 59 (155mm)
125	Skoda (105mm)
10	M.39 Skoda (105mm) (for training)
10	105R Metalgun (105mm) (for training)
'Recoilless artillery'
2135	M 40A (106mm)
1000	M 20 (75mm) (in storage)
850	M 18 (57mm) (in storage)
' Mortars '
575	HY-12Di (120mm)
325	UT1 (81mm)
3175	M1/M29 (81mm)
1265	M-30 (107mm)
n/a	M-19 (60mm)

Small Arms

'Weapon'	'Caliber'	'Notes'
HK MP5	9x19mm NATO	Made under license by 'Makina ve Kimya Endustrisi Kurumu (MKE)'
HK 33	5.56x45mm NATO	Made under license by 'Makina ve Kimya Endustrisi Kurumu (MKE)'
HK G3	7.62x51mm NATO	Made under license by 'Makina ve Kimya Endustrisi Kurumu (MKE)'
G3A7	7.62x51mm NATO	Made under license by 'Makina ve Kimya Endustrisi Kurumu (MKE)'
MG3	7.62x51mm NATO	Made under license by 'Makina ve Kimya Endustrisi Kurumu (MKE)'
HK 69A1	40x46mm	Made under license by 'Makina ve Kimya Endustrisi Kurumu (MKE)'
T40	40x46mm	Made under license by 'Makina ve Kimya Endustrisi Kurumu (MKE)'
Mk 19 grenade launcher	40x53mm	Made under license by 'Roketsan'
M203	40x46mm	Grenade Launcher
FN MAG	7.62x51mm NATO	Machine Gun
FN MINIMI	5.56x45mm NATO	Machine Gun
M4 carbine	5.56x45mm NATO	Special forces and marines
M16 rifle	5.56x45mm NATO	Special forces and marines
CheyTac Intervention M200[14]	.408 CheyTac	Special forces and marines sniper rifle
Kalekalıp .308	7.62x51mm NATO	Special forces and marines sniper rifle
Kalekalıp Avunya	.50 BMG	Special forces and marines sniper rifle
Gepard anti-materiel rifle	12.7 x 107 mm	Special forces and marines Anti-materiel rifle
SVD (Dragunov)	7.62x54mm R WP	Used by some units of the Gendarmerie.
AK-47 (Kalashnikov)	7.62x39mm WP	Used by some units of the Gendarmerie.

Source

★ www.OsmanliMedeniyeti.com Many articles about the History of Ottoman Turkish Army

★ www.globalsecurity.org - Turkish Land Forces - Kara Kuvvetleri Komutanlığı

★ AFSOUTH Fact sheet - Turkey

References and notes

1. http://www.country-studies.com/cyprus/intercommunal-violence.html
2. http://countrystudies.us/cyprus/13.htm
3. Leopard 1A1/A1A4 Tanks Improvement Project
4. M60 Tank Modernization Project
5. http://www.tau.ac.il/jcss/balance/Turkey.pdf
6. http://www.tau.ac.il/jcss/balance/Turkey.pdf
7. Referans: Otokar 167.5 milyon YTL'lik ihale kazandı
8. http://gbulten.ssm.gov.tr/arsiv/2007/01/31/01.htm
9. Attack and Tactical Reconnaissance Helicopter Procurement Program
10. International Herald Tribune: Italy's Agusta Aerospace wins Turkish attack helicopter contract
11. http://www.agustawestland.com/communication_det.asp?id_news=310&yy=2007
12. http://www.koreaherald.co.kr/SITE/data/html_dir/2007/03/05/200703050025.asp
13. http://www.tau.ac.il/jcss/balance/Turkey.pdf
14. http://world.guns.ru/sniper/sn63-e.htm


★

External links

★ Turkish Armed Forces Website

★ Turkish Army Website in Turkish

★ http://www.tdg.nu/OOBs/1946%2B/oob_turkey_1996.htm - partial structure in 1996

★ http://www.worldwar1.com/neareast/ta.htm - structural discussion of Turkish Army circa World War I

★ http://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?t=62048 - divisional status discussion WW I