Turkey prepares for a widespread conflict involving various domains, readying itself for a multi-domain war.
In June 2025, a 12-day war erupted between Israel and Iran, a conflict that has left a significant impact on the strategic landscape of the Middle East. The war, which saw Israel achieving air dominance from the first day and Iran retaliating with massive missile and drone strikes, has caught the attention of Turkey.
The Turkish administration, led by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, is adapting its approach to regional conflicts, taking key lessons from the Israel-Iran conflict for its future defense strategy. A strategic study titled "The 12-Day War and Lessons for Turkey" was recently released by the Turkish National Intelligence Academy.
The study suggests that Turkey should focus on several areas to better prepare for potential conflicts in its own region. These include improving cyber skills, acquiring new fighter jets, enhancing its civil defense system, and strengthening strategic relationships, particularly with the United States, Pakistan, and regional allies such as Azerbaijan and Qatar.
One of the critical lessons Turkey appears to be considering is the importance of achieving and maintaining air superiority. Israel's success came from its ability to combine advanced air power with cyber warfare and misinformation operations, as demonstrated during the conflict. Turkey is likely to emphasise the development of capabilities for rapid, precise, and intelligence-driven strike operations to neutralise critical threats before escalation.
Another key lesson is the need to prepare for asymmetric threats such as missile barrages and drone attacks. Iran responded to Israel's airstrikes with over 550 ballistic missiles and more than 1,000 drones, demonstrating the importance of having a robust air defense system to counter large-scale missile and drone threats.
The conflict also underscored the strategic value of allied support and rapid offensive capabilities. The United States' role in actively defending Israel and striking Iranian nuclear sites highlights the importance of strong partnerships in regional conflicts. Turkey is likely to recognise the value of such cooperation and support in its future defense strategy.
Moreover, the study emphasises the importance of internal security and societal cohesion during wartime. Iran's ability to last longer than expected despite economic penalties serves as a reminder of the resilience of nations in the face of adversity. Turkey is likely to place a greater focus on ensuring its society remains united and secure during times of conflict.
As Turkey modifies its strategic approach based on the lessons learned from the Israel-Iran conflict, it aims to better prepare itself for potential conflicts in its own region. The new strategy will focus on enhancing its military capabilities, strengthening alliances, and improving its internal security to ensure it is well-equipped to face the challenges of the future.
- The Turkish administration, while adapting its approach to regional conflicts, is focusing on several areas for future defense, including improving cyber skills, acquiring new fighter jets, enhancing its civil defense system, and strengthening strategic relationships with the United States, Pakistan, and regional allies such as Azerbaijan and Qatar.
- One of the critical lessons Turkey is considering from the Israel-Iran conflict is the importance of achieving and maintaining air superiority, as demonstrated by Israel's success during the conflict from combining advanced air power with cyber warfare and misinformation operations.
- Another key lesson is the need to prepare for asymmetric threats like missile barrages and drone attacks, as Iran demonstrated with over 550 ballistic missiles and more than 1,000 drones in response to Israel's airstrikes, highlighting the importance of having a robust air defense system to counter large-scale missile and drone threats.
- The study also emphasises the importance of internal security and societal cohesion during wartime, reminding Turkey of the resilience of nations in the face of adversity, and placing a greater focus on ensuring its society remains united and secure during times of conflict.
