Turkey became a member of NATO 1952 and became member of Cento. Men who reach the age of 20 serve in the army for 18 months. Military service can be postponed until the completion of the post secondary education. College graduates have choice of serving 18 months as second lieutenant officers or 8 months as privates. Turkish youths who work and live abroad can do their military service for two months and pay money as compensation. Military service is not compulsory for women.

There are 800.000 soldiers in the Turkish army, which are the 10th largest standing armed forces in the world. Turkey with its 4300 tanks has the fifth largest tank force in the world. Turkish Navy has the ninth largest submarine force in the world. Turkey assembles F16 jets, and it is the only country where they are assembled out of USA. 4% of the national income is spent for military 2.5% for education 3% for health (world average is 6.1%) During 1990/1995 period, Turkey spent $8 billion dollars, which made Turkey biggest importer of arms in the world.