Foundation for Strengthening the Turkish Armed Forces (TSKGV)

Foundation for Strengthening the Turkish Armed Forces (TSKGV) is a foundation established to support the technological needs of the Turkish Armed Forces and to develop the national defense industry. It was formed by merging the Foundations for Strengthening the Land, Naval, and Air Forces. Established by Law No. 3388, TSKGV has been active since 1987 to enhance public support for the Turkish Armed Forces.

Following the 1974 Cyprus Peace Operation conducted by the Republic of Türkiye, the arms embargo imposed on Türkiye served as a catalyst for the development of its indigenous defense industry. During this period, foundations were established on behalf of the military commands to meet specific needs.

The foundation of these organizations dates back to 1965 with the Turkish Navy Society. After the closure of this society, the Turkish Navy Foundation was established in 1972, and in 1981 its name was changed to the Foundation for Strengthening the Turkish Naval Forces. Around the same period, the Foundation for Strengthening the Turkish Air Forces began operations in 1970, followed by the Foundation for Strengthening the Turkish Land Forces in 1974.

These foundations were merged on 17 June 1987 under Law No. 3388, and the Foundation for Strengthening the Turkish Armed Forces commenced operations on 26 September 1987. TSKGV, established by a special law to support and ensure Türkiye’s production of indigenous military technologies, is the first foundation with this unique mandate.

The Foundation for Strengthening the Turkish Armed Forces is an integrated structure in which strategic objectives defined at the highest level of state protocol are implemented through a professional management and oversight mechanism. The vision drawn by the Board of Trustees is transformed into strategy by the Management Board, while the technical and administrative operations of these processes are meticulously carried out by the General Directorates.

Recep Tayyip Erdoğan;

• President of the Republic of Türkiye
• Chairman of the Board of Trustees

Cevdet Yılmaz;

• Vice President of the Republic of Türkiye
• Member of the Board of Trustees

Yaşar Güler;

• Minister of National Defense
• Member of the Board of Trustees

General Selçuk Bayraktaroğlu;

• Chief of the General Staff
• Member of the Board of Trustees

Prof. Dr. Haluk Görgün;

• President of the Defense Industry
• Member of the Board of Trustees

Prof. Dr. Haluk Görgün;

• President of the Defense Industry
• Chairman of the Management Board

Okay Memiş;

• Secretary General of the National Security Council
• Vice Chairman of the Management Board

Dr. Çetin Ali Dönmez;

• Deputy Minister of Industry and Technology
• Member of the Management Board

General Metin TOKEL;

• Commander of the Land Forces
• Member of the Management Board

Cenap Aşçı;

• Former Minister of Customs and Trade
• Member of the Management Board

In addition to its headquarters in Ankara, the Foundation operates five active regional representative offices to facilitate easier access for local donors across the country.

Operates in 11 provinces and 153 districts. It aims to strengthen interaction with the local public through honorary promotion councils, donor visits, and educational outreach in schools.

Address: Cumhuriyet, Abide-i Hürriyet Cd No:33-35, 34380 Şişli/Istanbul.

Operates in 11 provinces and 171 districts. It remains active through donor visits, meetings organized with district governors, provincial administrations, and directorates under the honorary promotion councils, and promotional events.

Address: Akdeniz, Atatürk Cd. No:158/2, 35210 Konak/İzmir.

Operates in 16 provinces and 156 districts. It seeks to increase donations through visits to school administrations and by organizing football tournaments and fairs.

Address: Pirireis, İsmet İnönü Blv. No:33110, 33100 Yenişehir/Mersin.

Operates in 23 provinces and 277 districts. It works to increase the Foundation’s visibility through district governor visits, provincial coordination meetings, and presentations.

Address: Remzi Oğuz Arık Mahallesi, Paris Caddesi, Kavaklıdere, Yazanlar Sk. No:4, 06540 Çankaya/Ankara.

Operates in 20 provinces and 165 districts. It remains active through high school-level outreach programs and visits to provincial and directorate administrations.

Address: Gez Mah. Ankara Cad. Mümtaz Turhan Sok. No: 2/5 Yakutiye/ERZURUM.

Cash donations can be made through banks where the donation account is held, in person at regional representative offices, via GSM operators, through internet banking, or directly via e-Government.

Real estate donations can be made in three forms: Full Ownership Donation (the donor relinquishes all rights of disposal over the property), Bare Ownership Donation (ownership is transferred to the Foundation in the land registry while the donor retains usage rights until death), and Testamentary Donation (ownership is registered in the Foundation’s name following the execution of the donor’s will after death).

Donors receive a thank-you letter, medal, and certificate from the Foundation based on the value of their donation:

• For donations between 100 and 9,999 TL: a text message;
• For donations between 10,000 and 49,999 TL: a thank-you letter;
• For donations between 50,000 and 99,999 TL: a bronze medal and certificate;
• For donations between 100,000 and 249,999 TL: a silver medal and certificate;
• For donations of 250,000 TL and above: a gold medal and certificate.

A video series featuring interviews with donors who have provided material and moral support to the Foundation for Strengthening the Turkish Armed Forces. These videos, which include testimonials from donors of diverse ages and backgrounds across Türkiye, are shared to encourage broader public support.

The “One Day a Year” campaign is a donation initiative in which volunteer shopkeepers open their businesses for one day each year in the name of TSKGV.

TSKGV holds more than 50% of the shares in six companies operating in the defense and aerospace industries, establishing affiliated partnerships.

ASELSAN (Military Electronics Industry) was established in 1975 to meet the communication needs of the Turkish Armed Forces. The company produces products for land, air, naval, space, and cyber domains. TSKGV holds 74.20% of its shares.

Turkish Aircraft Industries Corporation was established on 28 June 1973 under the Ministry of Industry and Technology with the aim of supporting Türkiye’s indigenous defense industry and reducing foreign dependency. It houses strategic centers including UAV systems, helicopters, the national fighter aircraft, and space systems. TUSAŞ A.Ş., of which TSKGV holds 54.40%, is one of the Foundation’s key affiliated companies.

Founded in 1988, ROKETSAN (Rocket Industry) conducts research and development in rockets, missiles, air defense missile systems, multiple-launch rocket systems, precision-guided munitions, satellite launch systems, and propulsion systems. TSKGV holds 55.30% of the company’s shares.

HAVELSAN (Aerospace Electronics Industry and Trade Inc.) develops solutions in defense technologies, simulation and training systems, autonomous unmanned systems, information and communication technologies, and cybersecurity. The company, which developed Türkiye’s sole proven Combat Management System, has 99.50% of its shares owned by TSKGV.

Established in 1977, the company engages in the design, development, production, testing, and qualification of alternators, generators, converters, electrogen sets, and electrical panels. TSKGV holds 99.90% of its shares.

ASPİLSAN (Military Battery Industry) is a domestic manufacturer of batteries and energy storage systems. TSKGV holds 98.52% of its shares.

These are companies in which TSKGV holds less than 50% of shares:

1) TRTEST Test and Evaluation Inc. – 27%

2) DİTAŞ Maritime and Tanker Operations Inc. – 20%

3) NETAŞ Telecommunications Inc. – 15%

4) TUSAŞ Motor Industry Inc. (TEI) – 3.02%

5) TURKTIPSAN Inc. – 20%

6) Mercedes Benz Türk Inc. – 5%

7) Mercedes Benz Automotive Trade and Services Inc. – 5%

8) Airport Operations and Aviation Industries Inc. – 3%

IDEF (International Defence Industry Fair), organized under the management and responsibility of TSKGV every two years, is one of the world’s leading defense industry exhibitions. Held regularly since 1993, the fair aims to showcase the latest developments, products, and technologies in the defense sector, including maritime, air, and land systems, military equipment, security gear, weapons, ammunition, and defense electronics. The 17th edition of the fair, attended by defense industry companies, military officials, defense experts, government representatives, media organizations, academics, and civil society institutions, was held in Istanbul in 2025.