On 7 March 2026, the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) met in Istanbul and issued a joint statement addressing escalating tensions in the Middle East and condemning the attacks launched from the territory of Iran against Türkiye and Azerbaijan.
This firm and united stand fits the recent developments, which strengthen defence cooperation within the OTS. The last summit, held in Gabala, Azerbaijan, in Autumn 2025, was dedicated to ‘Regional Peace and Security’, where defence cooperation was reaffirmed. Moreover, President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan called for an OTS-driven military drill, which may be hosted in Azerbaijan in 2026. This was preceded by the first meeting of the heads of defence Industry Institutions of the member states in July 2025, at the sidelines of the International Defence Industry Fair.
As armed conflicts along the borders of the OTS members (Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Türkiye and Uzbekistan as full members; Hungary, Turkmenistan, and Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus—recognized only by Türkiye as state—as observers) are on the rise, such as the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine, and the new conflict in the Gulf resulting in the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz whose end is still difficult to predict, the Turkic World finds itself stranded between two conflicts zones while also facing the repercussions of the belligerent relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan which are triggering further security concerns for Central Asia.
Consequently, defence cooperation among the Turkic states has gained greater impetus than before, and the Organization of Turkic States has itself become an increasingly important platform for these endeavours. This process is not new. Since the collapse of the Soviet Union, security challenges have consistently shaped cooperation among the Turkic states. Nevertheless, due to the differing geopolitical and economic backgrounds of the OTS members, their priorities have varied significantly. Importantly, the overall security architecture of the OTS countries also differs: Türkiye is a member of NATO, while Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan are members of the Russia-led Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO). Uzbekistan suspended its CSTO membership in 2012, whereas Azerbaijan never joined the organization. Turkmenistan adopted a policy of permanent neutrality in 1995 and has declined to join any military alliances.
‘Türkiye is a member of NATO, while Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan are members of the Russia-led Collective Security Treaty Organization’
Thus, recent developments point to a new impetus within the Organization of Turkic States. Türkiye has always occupied a special position in defence cooperation. As a member of NATO, it entered the post-Soviet space as early as the beginning of the 1990s, acting as a gateway to the West. In this context, Turkish military cooperation introduced NATO standards and experience to other Turkic states, which had largely inherited Soviet weaponry and strategic doctrines. After 1991, numerous military agreements were signed between Türkiye and other Turkic states.
The focal point of this military cooperation has been the relationship between Türkiye and Azerbaijan. The two countries signed the Agreement on Strategic Partnership and Mutual Support in 2010, which grants mutual assistance if either party faces a military attack. After 2013, joint military exercises were conducted annually, and Türkiye supported Azerbaijan in the autumn of 2020 during the Second Karabakh War. Subsequently, Türkiye deployed troops to the joint Russian–Turkish monitoring centre established to oversee the ceasefire agreement.
Cooperation reached a new level with the signing of the Shusha Declaration in June 2021, through which the two countries elevated their relations to the level of an alliance. This framework covers defence-related issues such as joint exercises, training, and research, as well as cooperation in the defence industry and coordination between relevant institutions and agencies. As the most recent development in bilateral relations, a Memorandum of Understanding on Strengthening Mutual Military Security was signed in 2025 between the Turkish Minister of National Defence and his Azerbaijani counterpart.
Closer relations have also gained momentum among the Turkic states more broadly. Azerbaijan has been one of the driving forces behind this development, expanding its bilateral defence cooperation agreements with Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan in recent years. In 2024, for instance, Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan signed a Treaty on Allied Relations, marking a significant step in their strategic partnership. A similar treaty had already been concluded between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan in 2022.
Joint military exercises have become a key pillar of this cooperation. Beyond the regular drills conducted between Azerbaijan and Türkiye, and occasional exercises involving other OTS members, such activities have recently become more frequent. Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan have begun organizing joint naval exercises, while the ‘We’re United-2024’ (Bırlestik-2024) exercise was held in Kazakhstan in 2024, involving around 4,000 servicemen from Central Asian states and Azerbaijan. One year later, Uzbekistan hosted regional military exercises under the name ‘Unity-2025’ (Birlik-2025). Also in 2025, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Türkiye conducted joint exercises with Pakistan under the title ‘Infinite Brotherhood IV’.
Turkish defence companies have also expanded into Turkic markets. ASELSAN, Türkiye’s largest defence electronics company, established its first international subsidiary, ASELSAN Baku, in 1998. The company specializes in the production and servicing of civil and military handheld radios in Azerbaijan. In 2011, ASELSAN signed an agreement with Kazakhstan Engineering to establish a joint venture named Kazakhstan Aselsan Engineering LLP. The facility was opened in 2013 in Astana.
‘Although Russia remains an important supplier, Türkiye has been able to secure a…significant position in regional defence markets’
The armaments of the Central Asian states largely date back to the Soviet era, and although Russia remains an important supplier, Türkiye has been able to secure an increasingly significant position in regional defence markets. The role of drones deserves special mention: Bayraktar TB2 unmanned aerial vehicles gained considerable prestige in the region during the Second Karabakh War, prompting several Turkic states to procure Turkish UAVs in recent years. In recent years, Turkmenistan and Kyrgyzstan have likewise acquired cost-efficient Turkish combat drones. Moreover, Turkmenistan has entered into agreements with Turkish companies, such as Dearsan Shipyard, to develop its naval capabilities; under these arrangements, several patrol vessels and corvettes were produced in the last decade.
Kazakhstan has also launched its own drone development programme, concluding an agreement with Turkish Aerospace Industries that enables it to manufacture the company’s drones under licence. In addition, it has procured Bayraktar TB2 systems from Baykar. These first steps are important: gaining inspiration from the Turkish and other examples, other Turkic states started to develop their own defence industry adjusted to contemporary challenges.
These developments also create an opportunity for the emerging Hungarian defence industry, which may benefit from EU funds in the future. Agreements were signed about the joint production of armoured tactical vehicles between Hungary and Türkiye; Hungarian companies are also interested in space and different security programmes. The rising military cooperation within the OTS will open new mutual opportunities between Hungary and other member states.
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