A Powerful Web of Arrangements: OTS Defence Cooperation

This paper analyzes the evolving defence cooperation within the Organization of Turkic States (OTS). The paper showsthat meaningful security collaboration is already advancing through a multifaceted web of arrangements without transforming the organization into a full military alliance. It traces the OTS’s development from the 2009 Nakhchivan Agreement to its current institutional form, highlighting how shared geographic vulnerabilities and converging threat perceptions have catalyzed deeper engagement. An assessment of member states’ military capabilities reveals significant disparities in size, equipment, and alliances, yet also shows increasing diversification away from traditional Russian suppliers toward Turkish systems. The study surveys both multilateral initiatives, such as annual security summits and joint exercises like Bırlestik-2024, and a dense network of bilateral treaties, most notably the Türkiye–Azerbaijan alliance strengthened by the Shusha Declaration. Turkish defence industry exports, particularly drones and armoured vehicles, serve as a key driver of interoperability and technology transfer across the OTS space. As an observer member, Hungary occupies a unique bridging position, leveraging its NATO and EU membership to explore joint production opportunities and enhance connectivity between Europe and Turkic states. The paper shows that pragmatic, incremental steps are laying the groundwork for a more coherent Turkic defence identity amid shifting global security dynamics.