Turkey seeks to raise military, security budget by 31%

CAIRO – 21 October 2017: Having the world's 18th-largest military spending, the Turkish government decided to increase its security and military spending by 31% in next year’s state budget, according to Anadolu Agency.

A total of $23 billion will be transferred to Turkey’s military and security budget. Of this new funding, about $9 billion will be allotted to the Defense Ministry, an increase of 41%. The budget of the Interior Ministry will be augmented by 25% to $7.5 billion, the gendarmerie budget will increase by 42% to $3.5 billion, the national police budget will go up by 18%, and the intelligence service budget will get an additional 20%, recording $627 million.

The Finance Ministry gave the Turkish parliament a draft 2018 budget on October 16, and the final proposal is expected by October 25, after which the parliament's Planning and Budget Commission is expected to debate the budget for at least two weeks. It will be debated in the general assembly at the beginning of December for final approval.

The new increase in security spending coincides with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s recent decision to extend the state of emergency imposed in Turkey for the fifth time since last year's failed coup. The emergency was extended for another three months as part of the country's crackdown on opponents.