Turkish ground forces and their military-political role in the life of the country
In connection with the scandal over Russia's deliveries of Turkish C-400 anti-aircraft missile systems to Turkey, Turkish military policy and defensive capabilities were at the center of the discussion of the world media. Now Turkey is being punished by an almost total quarrel with the United States. But in fact, Turkey both was and remains one of the key members of the North Atlantic alliance. Although the credibility of Ankara from Washington has decreased significantly.
The Turkish armed forces are the most numerous in NATO after the US armed forces. And it is possible that the most combat-ready. In contrast to the armies of European states, the Turkish armed forces are still recruited by conscription, and this means the presence of a huge mobilization reserve from among the Turkish men who have completed military service in the army.
The core of the Turkish Armed Forces is ground forces. In the North Atlantic Alliance, Turkey possesses the most numerous ground forces after the USA, which are well-armed, well-prepared and have real combat experience gained during numerous military operations against Kurdish rebels.
The ground forces of Turkey (Türk Kara Kuvvetleri) comprise approximately 360 thousand personnel and are the most numerous type of armed forces (75% of their total strength). According to the country's legislation, ground forces can be used, firstly, to ensure the internal and external security of a country, to defend its territory, to participate in humanitarian missions, and secondly - to protect national interests through independent or joint operations with the Air Force and Navy. tactical operations in the Caucasus, the Balkan and the Middle East areas.
The Turkish military-political leadership regards the ground forces as the main striking power of their armed forces, and in the event of any military operations, the main burden falls on the units of the ground forces. The ground forces of Turkey are subordinated to the commander of the land forces (he usually carries the rank of army general) and his headquarters, whose chief is responsible for planning operations, combat training of troops, interaction with other types of armed forces, military and civilian agencies.
The Turkish Ground Forces includes military branches and services. The combat arms of the troops are infantry troops, armored forces, field artillery, air defense of the ground forces, and army aviation. The combat support troops include military intelligence, special operations forces, engineering troops, communications troops, chemical troops, military police.
The military services, as in the Russian army, carry out administrative tasks and solve problems of material and technical support. The main services of the troops include artillery and technical, transport, financial, quartermaster, administrative, special services - medical, military-legal and a number of other services.
Turkish ground forces have quite an impressive composition. First, there are four field armies, a task force in the north of the island of Cyprus, Secondly, there are nine army corps, seven of which are part of the field armies, and three commands - the command of army aviation, training command and rear command.
The composition of the armies and corps includes numerous paratroops and formations: 3 mechanized divisions (1 of them - as part of NATO troops), 2 infantry divisions (in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus); 39 individual brigades: 14 mechanized, 10 motorized infantry, 8 armored, 5 commando brigades and 2 artillery brigades; 5 Border Infantry Regiments and 2 Commando Regiment. The training command has a training armored division, 4 infantry training and 2 training artillery brigades, numerous military educational institutions and training centers. In addition, the composition of the ground forces includes numerous parts of logistics and logistics.
Separately, it is worth noting the army aviation of the ground forces of Turkey, which includes the 3 helicopter regiment, the 1 helicopter attack regiment and the 1 transport helicopter group. Army aviation decides on the support of operations of ground troops, their transport support.
Finally, we should not forget about the availability of a trained reserve, which is estimated at about 2,7 million people. These are stock servicemen with good training, and many of them have real combat experience.
The Turkish ground forces are well armed. They have over 3500 tanks, including the German Leopard 1 (400 vehicles) and Leopard 2 (300 units), the American M60 (1 thousand units), M47 and M48 (1800 units); more than 5 thousand armored vehicles of various types; about 6000 different types of artillery guns, mortars, MLRS; up to 30 launchers of operational-tactical missiles, more than 3800 anti-tank weapons (1400 anti-tank systems and 2400 anti-tank guns), portable anti-aircraft missile systems; about 400 army aviation helicopters, including combat AN-1 “Cobra”, multi-purpose S-70 “Black Hawk”, AS.532, UH-1, AB.204 / 206.
The junior commanders (sergeants) of the Turkish army are taught in special training centers of the 4 th field army. In addition, there are special non-commissioned officer schools that admit 14-15 teenagers with secondary education. Non-commissioned officers are also trained at special departments of military schools, only the duration of training is two to three years (depending on the specialty).
The officers are trained in schools of several levels. Firstly, these are preparatory schools - military lyceums and gymnasiums, which have much in common with the system of Suvorov and Nakhimov schools in Russia.
Secondly, these are secondary military schools - infantry, armored, rocket, artillery, commissary, communications, technical, commandos, reconnaissance, foreign languages. They prepare platoon, mouth and battery commanders. The base school is Kara Karap Ocula, in which future officers are taught 4 of the year, after which they are distributed to schools of the armed forces at 1-2.
Thirdly, this is a military academy of ground forces, where officers in the ranks are senior lieutenant - major, who served after military schools for at least 3 years in the army.
Finally, the highest level is the Academy of the Armed Forces, where graduates of the Academy of the Ground Forces are received and trained for work in the headquarters of the divisions and armies, the General Staff, and the Ministry of Defense of Turkey. In addition, there are a variety of courses, as well as the practice of training officers abroad.
Given the specificity of the political situation in Turkey itself and its geographical location, military intelligence and special forces units play a special role in the military command of the Turkish armed forces. It is on them that the main burden is placed on fighting the armed formations of the Kurdistan Workers' Party and other radical groups, including in the territory of neighboring Syria and Iraq.
As part of the armed forces of Turkey, there are Special Operations Forces (MTR), which are subordinated directly to the Chief of the Main Operational Directorate of the General Staff of the Turkish Armed Forces. But, although the MTRs are allocated as a separate command, it is advisable to classify them as a land force. The Special Operations Forces Command includes a headquarters, training center, 3 special operations brigade, 1 search and rescue regiment in combat, 1 emergency search and rescue center, aviation command, support group and a dedicated civilian cooperation team. In turn, in the headquarters of the SSO - 5 departments: operational, reconnaissance, rear, communications and administrative, as well as a staff company.
The Special Operations Forces Brigade usually has about 600 people and is headed by a brigade commander in the rank of brigadier general. The brigade includes headquarters and 8 battalions. The headquarters has 5 departments - personnel, operational and combat training, intelligence and counterintelligence, logistics, communications, and 2 services - financial and medical.
The MTR brigade battalion consists of 6 reconnaissance and sabotage groups of 12 men in each. The group consists of 2 officers (commander and deputy) and 10 sergeants (scout, operative, sniper, grenade thrower, 2 medic, 2 communications man and 2 sapper).
The distinguishing feature of the Turkish MTR servicemen is the burgundy beret. It is not so easy to become a special forces officer - all officers and non-commissioned officers undergo special training, they must be proficient in two or more foreign languages (this requirement is also applied to non-commissioned officers).
The army has always played a crucial role in the political life of Turkey, being considered the backbone of power number one. This situation remains at the present time. Despite the fact that previously the Turkish armed forces were considered to be the support of the Kemalists, Recep Erdogan during the years of his rule managed to carry out a large-scale purge of the officer and noncommissioned officer corps of the armed forces, getting rid of all unreliable commanders.
In addition, a new generation of young Turkish officers and non-commissioned officers with religious and conservative values has been brought up. It is the gendarmerie and ground forces that are most loyal to the current president, Erdogan, also because they differ from naval and air forces in the specifics of manning the officer corps.
Ground forces are the most reliable support of Erdogan in the armed forces. They, together with the national gendarmerie, are widely involved in solving the tasks of fighting the Kurdish rebels, of maintaining public order in the “problem” regions of the country, like Turkish Kurdistan.
In addition, the ground forces and especially the Special Operations Forces are actively involved in the defense of Turkey’s national interests abroad. Thus, the units of the Turkish army were introduced in Syria, in Iraq. The details of many special operations involving Turkish “maroon berets” remain secret, but it can be assumed that Turkish special forces played and are playing an important role in supporting a number of Syrian radical groups fighting against the government forces of Bashar al-Assad.
Now, when Russia is going to deliver the C-400 air defense system to Turkey, while Western analysts are already discussing whether the Russian F-35 aircraft, which the United States intends to restrict, will replace the US Air Force for service in the country’s air service. Russia to consider the armed forces of Turkey, is it ally now, a partner or a likely opponent? With all the mutual courtesies of Vladimir Putin and Recep Erdogan, the supply of military equipment and agreements on joint actions in Idlib, it is worthwhile to bow to the third option.
Turkey does not leave and is not going to leave the NATO bloc, which does not hide its anti-Russian orientation. In Syria, Turkey’s interests are largely at odds with Russian interests, and Turkish instructors are certainly participating in the training of Syrian radical groups. Historically, Russia and Turkey fought more than were friends with each other, and although the times of the Russian-Turkish wars are in the past, this does not mean that it is worth losing vigilance towards such an active and dangerous southern neighbor.
Ground forces - the basis of military power
The Turkish armed forces are the most numerous in NATO after the US armed forces. And it is possible that the most combat-ready. In contrast to the armies of European states, the Turkish armed forces are still recruited by conscription, and this means the presence of a huge mobilization reserve from among the Turkish men who have completed military service in the army.
The core of the Turkish Armed Forces is ground forces. In the North Atlantic Alliance, Turkey possesses the most numerous ground forces after the USA, which are well-armed, well-prepared and have real combat experience gained during numerous military operations against Kurdish rebels.
The ground forces of Turkey (Türk Kara Kuvvetleri) comprise approximately 360 thousand personnel and are the most numerous type of armed forces (75% of their total strength). According to the country's legislation, ground forces can be used, firstly, to ensure the internal and external security of a country, to defend its territory, to participate in humanitarian missions, and secondly - to protect national interests through independent or joint operations with the Air Force and Navy. tactical operations in the Caucasus, the Balkan and the Middle East areas.
The Turkish military-political leadership regards the ground forces as the main striking power of their armed forces, and in the event of any military operations, the main burden falls on the units of the ground forces. The ground forces of Turkey are subordinated to the commander of the land forces (he usually carries the rank of army general) and his headquarters, whose chief is responsible for planning operations, combat training of troops, interaction with other types of armed forces, military and civilian agencies.
The composition and structure of the ground forces of Turkey
The Turkish Ground Forces includes military branches and services. The combat arms of the troops are infantry troops, armored forces, field artillery, air defense of the ground forces, and army aviation. The combat support troops include military intelligence, special operations forces, engineering troops, communications troops, chemical troops, military police.
The military services, as in the Russian army, carry out administrative tasks and solve problems of material and technical support. The main services of the troops include artillery and technical, transport, financial, quartermaster, administrative, special services - medical, military-legal and a number of other services.
Turkish ground forces have quite an impressive composition. First, there are four field armies, a task force in the north of the island of Cyprus, Secondly, there are nine army corps, seven of which are part of the field armies, and three commands - the command of army aviation, training command and rear command.
The composition of the armies and corps includes numerous paratroops and formations: 3 mechanized divisions (1 of them - as part of NATO troops), 2 infantry divisions (in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus); 39 individual brigades: 14 mechanized, 10 motorized infantry, 8 armored, 5 commando brigades and 2 artillery brigades; 5 Border Infantry Regiments and 2 Commando Regiment. The training command has a training armored division, 4 infantry training and 2 training artillery brigades, numerous military educational institutions and training centers. In addition, the composition of the ground forces includes numerous parts of logistics and logistics.
Separately, it is worth noting the army aviation of the ground forces of Turkey, which includes the 3 helicopter regiment, the 1 helicopter attack regiment and the 1 transport helicopter group. Army aviation decides on the support of operations of ground troops, their transport support.
Finally, we should not forget about the availability of a trained reserve, which is estimated at about 2,7 million people. These are stock servicemen with good training, and many of them have real combat experience.
The Turkish ground forces are well armed. They have over 3500 tanks, including the German Leopard 1 (400 vehicles) and Leopard 2 (300 units), the American M60 (1 thousand units), M47 and M48 (1800 units); more than 5 thousand armored vehicles of various types; about 6000 different types of artillery guns, mortars, MLRS; up to 30 launchers of operational-tactical missiles, more than 3800 anti-tank weapons (1400 anti-tank systems and 2400 anti-tank guns), portable anti-aircraft missile systems; about 400 army aviation helicopters, including combat AN-1 “Cobra”, multi-purpose S-70 “Black Hawk”, AS.532, UH-1, AB.204 / 206.
Personnel Training and Military Education
The junior commanders (sergeants) of the Turkish army are taught in special training centers of the 4 th field army. In addition, there are special non-commissioned officer schools that admit 14-15 teenagers with secondary education. Non-commissioned officers are also trained at special departments of military schools, only the duration of training is two to three years (depending on the specialty).
The officers are trained in schools of several levels. Firstly, these are preparatory schools - military lyceums and gymnasiums, which have much in common with the system of Suvorov and Nakhimov schools in Russia.
Secondly, these are secondary military schools - infantry, armored, rocket, artillery, commissary, communications, technical, commandos, reconnaissance, foreign languages. They prepare platoon, mouth and battery commanders. The base school is Kara Karap Ocula, in which future officers are taught 4 of the year, after which they are distributed to schools of the armed forces at 1-2.
Thirdly, this is a military academy of ground forces, where officers in the ranks are senior lieutenant - major, who served after military schools for at least 3 years in the army.
Finally, the highest level is the Academy of the Armed Forces, where graduates of the Academy of the Ground Forces are received and trained for work in the headquarters of the divisions and armies, the General Staff, and the Ministry of Defense of Turkey. In addition, there are a variety of courses, as well as the practice of training officers abroad.
Burgundy Berets - Turkish Special Forces
Given the specificity of the political situation in Turkey itself and its geographical location, military intelligence and special forces units play a special role in the military command of the Turkish armed forces. It is on them that the main burden is placed on fighting the armed formations of the Kurdistan Workers' Party and other radical groups, including in the territory of neighboring Syria and Iraq.
As part of the armed forces of Turkey, there are Special Operations Forces (MTR), which are subordinated directly to the Chief of the Main Operational Directorate of the General Staff of the Turkish Armed Forces. But, although the MTRs are allocated as a separate command, it is advisable to classify them as a land force. The Special Operations Forces Command includes a headquarters, training center, 3 special operations brigade, 1 search and rescue regiment in combat, 1 emergency search and rescue center, aviation command, support group and a dedicated civilian cooperation team. In turn, in the headquarters of the SSO - 5 departments: operational, reconnaissance, rear, communications and administrative, as well as a staff company.
The Special Operations Forces Brigade usually has about 600 people and is headed by a brigade commander in the rank of brigadier general. The brigade includes headquarters and 8 battalions. The headquarters has 5 departments - personnel, operational and combat training, intelligence and counterintelligence, logistics, communications, and 2 services - financial and medical.
The MTR brigade battalion consists of 6 reconnaissance and sabotage groups of 12 men in each. The group consists of 2 officers (commander and deputy) and 10 sergeants (scout, operative, sniper, grenade thrower, 2 medic, 2 communications man and 2 sapper).
The distinguishing feature of the Turkish MTR servicemen is the burgundy beret. It is not so easy to become a special forces officer - all officers and non-commissioned officers undergo special training, they must be proficient in two or more foreign languages (this requirement is also applied to non-commissioned officers).
Ground forces in Turkish foreign and domestic policy
The army has always played a crucial role in the political life of Turkey, being considered the backbone of power number one. This situation remains at the present time. Despite the fact that previously the Turkish armed forces were considered to be the support of the Kemalists, Recep Erdogan during the years of his rule managed to carry out a large-scale purge of the officer and noncommissioned officer corps of the armed forces, getting rid of all unreliable commanders.
In addition, a new generation of young Turkish officers and non-commissioned officers with religious and conservative values has been brought up. It is the gendarmerie and ground forces that are most loyal to the current president, Erdogan, also because they differ from naval and air forces in the specifics of manning the officer corps.
Ground forces are the most reliable support of Erdogan in the armed forces. They, together with the national gendarmerie, are widely involved in solving the tasks of fighting the Kurdish rebels, of maintaining public order in the “problem” regions of the country, like Turkish Kurdistan.
In addition, the ground forces and especially the Special Operations Forces are actively involved in the defense of Turkey’s national interests abroad. Thus, the units of the Turkish army were introduced in Syria, in Iraq. The details of many special operations involving Turkish “maroon berets” remain secret, but it can be assumed that Turkish special forces played and are playing an important role in supporting a number of Syrian radical groups fighting against the government forces of Bashar al-Assad.
Now, when Russia is going to deliver the C-400 air defense system to Turkey, while Western analysts are already discussing whether the Russian F-35 aircraft, which the United States intends to restrict, will replace the US Air Force for service in the country’s air service. Russia to consider the armed forces of Turkey, is it ally now, a partner or a likely opponent? With all the mutual courtesies of Vladimir Putin and Recep Erdogan, the supply of military equipment and agreements on joint actions in Idlib, it is worthwhile to bow to the third option.
Turkey does not leave and is not going to leave the NATO bloc, which does not hide its anti-Russian orientation. In Syria, Turkey’s interests are largely at odds with Russian interests, and Turkish instructors are certainly participating in the training of Syrian radical groups. Historically, Russia and Turkey fought more than were friends with each other, and although the times of the Russian-Turkish wars are in the past, this does not mean that it is worth losing vigilance towards such an active and dangerous southern neighbor.
Information