Turkic States Forge Defence Ties Amid Regional Conflicts

Defence cooperation among Turkic states is quietly deepening, spurred by the shadow of active military conflicts across the region. From the South Caucasus to Central Asia, shared security concerns are pushing nations like Turkey, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan to coordinate more closely on defence matters.

The Organisation of Turkic States (OTS) has emerged as the primary platform for this collaboration. Member nations are moving beyond symbolic gestures toward tangible military partnerships, including joint exercises, defence industrial projects, and intelligence sharing.

Drivers of the Defence Push

Ongoing conflicts are providing the urgency. The war in Ukraine has reshaped security calculations across the post-Soviet space. In the South Caucasus, tensions between Armenia and Azerbaijan remain high despite ceasefire agreements. Central Asian states worry about instability spilling over from Afghanistan.

Turkey, a key OTS member, is leveraging its defence industry to supply drones, armoured vehicles, and electronic warfare systems to partner nations. The Bayraktar TB2 drone, battle-tested in Ukraine and Nagorno-Karabakh, has become a symbol of this cooperation.

Azerbaijan is at the centre of these developments. Its military modernisation programme has accelerated since the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war, with substantial Turkish assistance. Joint exercises now occur regularly, and defence officials from both countries meet frequently.

Joint Exercises and Industrial Collaboration

In 2025, OTS members conducted the “TurAz” series of military drills in Azerbaijan, involving ground, air, and naval components. Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan have sent observers and small contingents. These exercises test interoperability and signal growing military alignment.

Defence industrial cooperation is also deepening. Turkey has offered co-production deals for drones and armoured vehicles. Kazakhstan has shown interest in joint manufacturing of Turkish-designed systems. Uzbekistan recently purchased Turkish attack helicopters.

Hungarian officials, though not a Turkic state, have participated as observers in some OTS defence meetings. Budapest maintains close ties with Turkey and Azerbaijan, particularly in energy and defence.

Limits and Challenges

Not all OTS members are moving at the same pace. Turkmenistan, a member with observer status, has kept its distance from active military cooperation. Its neutral foreign policy limits direct involvement.

Russia remains a complicating factor. Several Central Asian states host Russian military bases and are part of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO). Balancing OTS defence ties with CSTO obligations requires careful diplomacy.

China's growing influence in Central Asia through the Belt and Road Initiative also shapes the context. Beijing views the region as a strategic backyard and may not welcome a robust new defence bloc.

Despite these challenges, the momentum is clear. Turkic states are no longer content with symbolic gestures. They are building real defence capacity together, shaped by the conflicts around them.

What to watch: The OTS is expected to formalise a joint rapid reaction force in 2026, and a defence ministers' meeting later this year may set a timeline for a common defence procurement framework.