After the demise of the Soviet Union in 1990, with the re-emergence of the Turkic world, as well as having the largest population, Turkey is defined as the most developed, democratic and has the biggest military force of them all. At the same time, considering the political and social elements determining international relations it is the most important and stable country in its region. But, it would be very hard to say that Turkey has realised any of the new advantages in the region even though she was central in the old world and has thus missed out on some important opportunities through lack of political vision. Political leaders of Turkey have for a long time failed to unify Turkey's assets with a realistic foreign policy. There can be no hesitation when saying that in this region there are new dangers arising everyday, the frontiers keep on changing, weak and indecisive states are condemned to collapse and disappear from the world map. You have to be strong to survive. You have to use ‘the concept of using force' in your foreign policy when it is necessary. This is the only language spoken and understood in this particular region. The main strategy in bilateral or in international relations in general, should be to take a strong position, keep the initiative, be a strong negotiator. It is imperative to know that in international relations, Turkey has many choices in respect of regional cooperation models. The most advantageous place to search for this model is within the vast region of the world that forms the ‘Turkish geopolitical area'.
The Threats on Turkey
Since the Turkish War of Independence, as a result of geopolitical position and the demands coming from neighbouring countries, Turkey has on several occasions come to the brink of war to defend herself. 1980 and the ensuing years saw an asymmetric war against the PKK, fought within and around national borders. They were in a ‘controlled war situation' in 1974, in Cyprus, to defend the Turkish people on the island and Turkey's national interests in the Mediterranean Sea. In the Kardak crisis and the disagreement on S 300 missiles she was on the brink of war with Greece. In 1998, there was nearly a war situation with Syria, due to an ultimatum given by Turkey to force Syria to extradite the leader of the terrorist organisation PKK. Situated geopolitically in the most dangerous region of the World, Turkey has been subject to many serious threats coming from different countries with different demands. Existing and potential threats that Turkey is facing have been published in the ‘National Defence Policy Document'. The wording of ‘one state, one national flag, one language' in this document declared by the head of state, shows Turkey's national defence's necessity to be ready against all domestic and international threats, taking into account the superpowers' brinkmanship policies affecting the country and the region. One threat in particular, following the first Gulf War comes from the Kurdish Area of northern Iraq, which took form under US protection and has been the main source of danger to Turkey. The dangers and threats coming from this chaotic area are a result of the hazardous policies of Iraqi Kurdish tribal leaders. As time passes, these dangers and threats are taking much more solid forms. Until the 1990's, the threats on Turkish national unity and existing international borders were coming from Greece, Syria and old Eastern Block. The situation changed between 1990 and 1999. The new shape and line of the dangers were; Greece-Armenia- Syria. After 1999, the threats were coming from the line of Greece-Armenia and the Kurdish formation of Northern Iraq.
The surrounding strategy of Greece against Turkey, from Limni to Cyprus has now started to unite with the line of Kurdish formation of Northern Iraq who survive with US support and hold the PKK under their protection. The only missing links to complete the surrounding circle to stretch out to Armenia are Syria and Iran.
Turkey's National Security should start beyond her Borders
It is important to know that Turkey's national security should start beyond her borders in certain areas for the reasons noted above. These areas at the same time are ‘national survival areas' and the extensions of her national security sphere. Unless Turkey shows the biggest interest and gains some kind of control in these survival areas, then Turks cannot be free to live in peace within their own country. These survival areas are; the Aegean Sea, which has economic, political and military importance for Turkey; Cyprus which has ethnic, political, cultural and strategic value for Turkey; the Mousul - Kirkuk - Telafer line in Northern Iraq and the Southern Caucasus that forms a strong cultural bridge from Turkey to Asia and provides the security line for energy resources. In the context of these facts; Turkey should organise and develop its defence policy, both inside and outside of the country,

taking into consideration all of these factors. A new defence policy is a necessity as the threats on Turkey take several forms and tend to receive support from technologically superior countries. The global powers and the countries in their sphere are advancing with their high technologies and the capabilities of their defence strategies, whilst the smaller countries surrounding Turkey, for their defence strategies are using guided missiles, chemical and biological arms programs. Space is becoming increasingly more important in the defence policy of all nations. It is a vital necessity to get prepared against the threats and possible attacks from space using communication technologies and elements of electronic war. As a deterrent especially, the long distance air defence missiles must be added to the armed forces inventory despite the agreements limiting them to have and produce these missiles. Turkey should start to produce long distance missiles with over 300 km range. In today's world, loyalty to agreements which are against national interest is for the weak. To become a nuclear force, produce and develop missile technology and not accept the rules or double standards of dominant forces should be the main part of Turkey's policy in the national defence strategy. The United States policy not to sign the Kyoto Protocol must be accepted as a good example of following national interests in international agreements and relations. Strategically, in the short term, Turkey needs reliable and nationally developed arms systems. As we know from today's economic capacity, Turkey is not able to produce the latest models-fourth and fifth generation- war planes. She has to concentrate on producing and developing her own short, middle and long range missile systems. Nationally produced long distance missile systems are much more reliable than war planes provided from other countries, in respect of targeting long distances, control and developing. Additionally, nationally produced missile systems have got no disadvantages such as expensive spare parts and restrictions on use conditions. They are cheaper and have more influence as deterrents.
National Platforms and Software
Land, sea and air forces of Turkey have spent serious efforts on these categories. Modern missiles and related electronic systems have been developed especially by the Turkish Navy and have created a new era: GENESIS Integrated Battle Systems, Battle Dispatch Systems (based on GENESIS CMS system) C3 Turkish Portable Radar systems, 35mm Oerlikon Control Systems, nationally produced automatic firing control systems and automatic targeting systems. National establishments like HAVELSAN and ASELSAN are producing and developing defence electronic systems and related programs to decrease dependency on other countries. The developments made in the electronic systems area are most certainly going to be used for the TKK (Turkish Land Forces) in Main Battle Tank Project and Armoured Battle Vehicles protection against land mines The Turkish Main Battle Tank Project, which has been planned for a long time, has chosen DAPA (Defence Acquisition Program Administration) of South Korea's independent state owned company, to work with and get related technology. The XK-2 platform has been accepted to develop for Turkish Main Battle Tank Project by SSM (Under secretariat for Defence Industries). XK-2 Platform is an amphibious tank carrying a 120 mm cannon with automatic charging system. This platform, also known as ‘Black Panther' has a protection ability and defence system against helicopter attacks. F 35, common attack aircraft for which Turkey is one of the participants to produce, A 400 M transport aircraft, KT-1 main training aircraft produced together with South Korea and 300 mm Multi-Cradle Artillery Rocket Systems produced by ROKETSAN are the main projects for developing and increasing Turkey's defence capabilities.
The Importance of Ballistic Missiles
All the subjects mentioned above are vital for Turkey's national defence and TSK, (Turkish Military Forces) which is the biggest military force in the region. As we noted before, an important point for Turkey, is to give priority in defence strategy to nationally produced missile systems which are easier and cheaper to have, rather than producing or buying aircraft from outside. At the parade of 30th August celebrations the show of ‘YILDIRIM' missile launchers, which were produced together with CPMIEC-SCAIC company of the People's Republic of China, were very promising for pointing out the serious efforts made by TSK in the missile systems. One other development of Turkish defence is the (J) series missile program, reaching approximately 1000 km, as a continuation of the TOROS project. Turkey's 70 mm short distance rocket program started in the 1980's. This program continues in cooperation with Pakistan, China, Israel, Old Eastern Block countries and some Asian Republics. Particularly, WS-1 missile, brought from China, was developed and modernised in Turkey. In this area, land to land ballistic systems developed by ASELSAN and ROKETSAN have been strong deterrents against the missile systems owned by countries around us. The result of efforts made through the cooperation of National companies ASELSAN-MKE-ROKETSAN-TUBITAKSAGE and the development of the TOROS missiles has brought the Turkish Artillery Forces to a very advanced level.

The Defence Forces of Turkey Strategical Establishments
a- Nuclear-biological and Chemical
- Çekmece Nuclear Researche Centre 5 MW- TR 2
- Istanbul Technical University 250 KW- V.TRR
b- Rockets and Balistical Missiles Platforms
- ATACMS systems, 72 Balistical missiles at 12 launchers.
- TR 122 Atillery rockets, Toros-260, Kasırga (WS-1), Yıldırım (B-611) and WS-1 b of China Which under developpement with Jaguar project.
Space projects
- BİLTEN Land station (for Bilten satellite)
- SAGRES Land station (for Spot, ERS, Radarsat, NOAA communication.)
- TURKSAT-2A (Military and civilian satellite)
- BİLSAT (Civilian satellite)
- TURKSAT-3A (launching at 2008)
- İkonos
- OFEQ 5 (military information system)
Land Forces
- 420 000 personnel;
4 Army , 1 Armoured Division, 2 Mecanised, İnfantry Division, 1 İnfantry Division,
1 Traning Division, 11 İnfantry Brigades, 16 Mecanised, Infantry Brigades,
9 Armoured Brigades, 5 Commando Brigades,5 Training Brigades, 1 Artillary Brigades, 1 Airbourne Brigades
Tanks; App. 3100
298 Leopard 2 A4, 77 Leopard 1 A3T1-TU 120, 150 Leopard A3T1,163 Leopard 1A 1A4, 170 M60 T ,650 M60 A3,105 M60 A1,750 M48 A5T2, 600 M48 A55, 100 armoured reconnaisence tank.
Armoured Personnel Carriers; 6300
Helicopters; 290
21 S-70 A28, 52 S-70 D28 (Blackhawk), 28 AS-532 (Cougar), 28 Bell AB206, 23 Augusta Bell AB 205 AT, 27 Augusta Bell AB205 A1, 52 Bell UH-IH, 20 Bell AB 206, 42 Bell UH-H Attack Helikopters; 41, 9 Bell AH-1W (Supercobra), 32 Bell AH-1 D-S (Cobra), Augusta-Westland attacks helicopters are going to be produced in Turkey, in next few years.
Air Defence Missiles
- 30 Atılgan KMS (1x8 FIM-92 B-C Stinger)
- 24 Zıpkın (1x4 FIM-92 Stinger)
- 800 FIM-92 B-C RPM system
- 1000 FIM-43 A Redeye
- 40, 9M39 Igla (SA-18)
Anti-Tank Rockets
390 Milan , 365 BGM-71, 40 000 M72 LAW (66 mm.),5000 RPG-7 (40 mm.), 500 ERYX, 70 9 M113M Konkurs
Artillery Rockets
- 5 TR -300 Kasırga ( Reaching distance 80 km.)
- 25 TR-300 Kasırga WS-1B (R.d. 180 Km.)
- 72 ATACMS MGM 140 ( R. D. 165 km.)
- 12 M-270 MLRS , 50 T-122 MLRS ( 40 km.)
- 48 TR-107 MLRS, 24 RA 7040 MLRS
- 36 YILDIRIM B-611 (250 km.)
unknown number of TOROS 230 A (65 km.), TOROS 260 (110 km)
The number of the cannons in different calibres appx.5000
Air Forces
- 370 War Planes; (217 F-16 C-D , 50 F-4 E 2020, 48 F-4 E, 58 F-5 A-B)
- 18 C-160 ,7 C-130 E, 5 C-130 B, 47 C-235 transporation aircrafts 90 in total.
- 9 KC-135 R tanker aircrafts
- Unmanned Aircrafts; 6 Gnat 750 , 108 Harpy attacks platforms.
- Air defence missiles; 24 group Nike Hercules, 18 Rapier B1X (to be bought)
Navy
4 Barbaros (Meko type), 4 Yavuz (Meko), 8 Gaziantep (Oliver Perry class),4 Tepe (Knox class).
6 Burak (D'orves class), 26 Frigates in total
8 Dogan class, 4 Kılıc class, 2 Yıldız class 8 Kartal class, 22 attack boat in total
1 Aydın, 5 Silifke, 6 Karamürsel, 5 Edincik, 4 Foca types of anti-mine ships
9 C-235 Sea reconnaisence aircrafts.
6 Atılay (1200), 4 Preveze (1400), 4 Gur (1400) types submarines 14 in total.
14 AB-212 Sea helicopters
7 S- 70B sea attacks helicopters.
107 Coast Guard Boats
50 amfibic vessels.