ADefenceIndependent states
Turkish Armed Forces
NATO's second-largest army, which traces its founding to Mete Han's Hun army of 209 BC.
The Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) comprise the Land, Naval and Air Forces. The army dates its history to the Hun army that Mete Han organised on the decimal system in 209 BC, a date that appears on the Land Forces emblem.
Türkiye has been a NATO member since 1952 and has the alliance's second-largest army by personnel. Turkish troops served in the Korean War and in UN and NATO peace missions.
The 2021 Shusha Declaration between Türkiye and Azerbaijan formalised their alliance, and the two armies hold regular joint exercises. In recent years the TSK has sourced most of its weapons and equipment from the domestic defence industry.
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Updated: October 2, 2026