Defence Minister Turhan Tayan on 11 April announced a 10-year procurement programme for military modernisation estimated to cost $31,000 million. The 23 projects in the programme will include investments in the local arms industry.

Tayan said this was the first time such a detailed and complex programme had been announced. He added that the government will provide financial support to local companies to encourage their participation.

The scheme, which will run for the next 10 years, includes the supply and modernisation of a comprehensive list of equipment, including armoured vehicles, helicopters and other aircraft, communications systems and naval vessels.