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Turkey uses defense industry as political instrument

The Turkish government uses the defense industry to build its foreign relationships and to improve domestic standing.
Turkish army tanks and aircrafts take part in a parade marking the 91st anniversary of Victory Day in Ankara August 30, 2013. REUTERS/Umit Bektas (TURKEY - Tags: POLITICS MILITARY ANNIVERSARY) - RTX131DZ
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Justice and Development Party (AKP) decision-makers, obsessed of late with the idea of the “New Turkey,” have decided that to be a powerful state Turkey has to rely on a “national government-strong army-strong national defense industry” formula.

In the AKP’s aspiration to become a powerful regional and global force, the defense industry has emerged as an important political instrument.

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