Nato to set up new corps in Turkey as Ankara eyes regional deterrence Submitted by Ragip Soylu on Fri, 03/27/2026 - 13:49 While plans for a multinational corps predate recent tensions, Ankara is looking to deepen its defences in the region Turkish amphibious troops aboard an assault ship during Nato exercises in the Adriatic Sea on 24 September 2025 (AFP) Off Nato plans to establish a multinational corps in Turkey, the Turkish defence ministry revealed this week, signalling Ankara’s desire to strengthen its deterrence in the region. The ministry said work on establishing the multinational corps MNC-TUR has been under way since 2023 as part of Nato’s southern regional plan, and that Ankara’s decision to move forward with it was communicated to Nato allies in 2024. Ankara has designated the 6th Corps Command, based in the southern province of Adana, to meet the needs of the new headquarters. The corps is expected to be established under the command of a Turkish general, with the necessary appointments already made to the national core staff. A source familiar with the planning told Middle East Eye that Turkey plans to complete the work by 2028. “Work to transform the headquarters into a multinational structure is continuing in coordination with Nato authorities, and the approval process is ongoing, as Nato procedures have not yet been completed,” the ministry said. It added that the move is not related to the US-Israeli war in Iran, since the decision predates the recent tensions. A Nato official, speaking anonymously to MEE, said the long-standing work on the multinational corps was continuing. Echoing the defence ministry's statement, the official said: “It is important to note that the approval process is ongoing and Nato procedures have not been completed yet.” Filling a gap A multinational corps is essentially a command-and-control structure that would take charge of allied forces in the event of a conflict. Nato’s southern regional defence plan covers areas including the Mediterranean, the South Caucasus, the Black Sea and North Africa. Turkey’s decision to establish a multinational corps in Adana - where the Incirlik airbase hosts US and Spanish troops - has raised eyebrows. Ankara already hosts Nato’s Land Command in Izmir and the Rapid Deployable Corps in Istanbul, in addition to fielding the alliance’s second-largest military force. Turkey seeks off-ramp to war through US-Iran negotiations Read More » Some experts have questioned whether Ankara really needs another corps in the country. Huseyin Fazla, a retired brigadier general who has served in various Nato positions, told MEE that MNC-TUR would probably fill a gap in Nato’s regional defence plans. Fazla said that under the 2023 plans, a multinational corps in Poland, MNC-NE, was tasked with protecting the alliance’s northern flank, while another corps in Romania, MNC-SE, which became operational in 2023, was authorised to cover the alliance’s eastern flank and the Black Sea. “With a multinational corps based in Adana, the alliance would have a permanent corps authorised to protect Turkey against Russia, as well as threats emanating from the Mediterranean,” said Fazla. He added that although the Rapid Deployable Corps in Istanbul is a valuable unit, its primary mission is to engage an enemy rapidly within days, rather than to provide permanent protection for the area surrounding Turkey. “With MNC-TUR, the Turkish Armed Forces would gain the support of allies who would contribute military officers and also assign their own units for use during a conflict,” he said. Projecting power in the region Karol Wasilewski, head of the Department for Turkey, the Caucasus, and Central Asia at the Polish think tank OSW, said Nato follows a modular approach and its Strategic Concept has mapped out a range of near-peer threats - not limited to Russia. “This is another element of Nato’s transformation, rooted in the decisions of the Vilnius summit, deepening the alliance’s reliance on land forces,” Wasilewski said. “At the same time, it seems to be a decision that is in line with Nato’s 360-degree policy, which is especially important for Turkey’s interests.” Nato's policy prepares it to address threats from any direction, not just from a single front such as Eastern Europe. Fazla said the establishment of MNC-TUR would send a clear message to countries in the region that Nato is serious about defending Turkey, while also projecting power through military exercises and detailed defence planning. 'Turkish Armed Forces would gain the support of allies who would contribute military officers during a conflict' - Huseyin Fazla, retired brigadier general Some experts in the region expect Ankara to find itself in competition with Israel for regional dominance, especially as several Israeli officials, including former prime minister Naftali Bennett, have recently described Turkey as “the next Iran” and the next threat to be addressed. “Overall, this corps would ensure the alliance’s readiness in every possible scenario, and multinational military drills would demonstrate to others the capabilities of both the host nation and allied forces,” Fazla said. Wasilewski said that Turkey’s choice of the 6th Corps in Adana was the most rational, given its readiness and the relatively limited investment required. Fazla added that the 6th Corps already has relevant experience working with allied forces, including the US and Spain. Additionally, he said, the infrastructure - such as housing, healthcare and educational facilities for families - likely to appeal to Nato commanders and officers is already in place. “Turkey wouldn’t need to spend a lot of money to realise this plan,” he said. “And it would be for the better for everyone’s sake.” Nato Ankara News Post Date Override 0 Update Date Mon, 05/04/2020 - 21:19 Update Date Override 0
March 27, 2026