Türkiye unveils new joint military headquarters ahead of NATO summit PHOTOS

Türkiye’s Defence Ministry has held its weekly press briefing for the first time at the newly constructed Crescent and Star Joint Headquarters (Ay Yıldız Müşterek Karargahı), a large-scale military complex designed to consolidate the country’s top defence institutions under one roof.

The briefing on July 2 was also used to outline preparations for next week’s NATO summit and to reiterate Ankara’s positions on regional security issues, as Turkish media reports.

Defence Ministry spokesperson Rear Adm. Zeki Aktürk said the facility will bring together the defence ministry, the Turkish General Staff, and the commands of the land, naval, and air forces within a single integrated campus aimed at improving joint military coordination.

He noted that the complex, inspired by the design of the Turkish flag, incorporates smart-building technologies, advanced cybersecurity systems, and protection against ballistic and chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) threats.

Aktürk said the headquarters forms part of Türkiye’s “Century of Türkiye” vision and will serve as a strategic hub. It will also host receptions for visiting defence ministers and senior NATO officials during the NATO leaders’ summit scheduled for July 7–8 in Ankara.

He described the upcoming summit as a key moment for the alliance, saying it would reaffirm NATO’s commitment to collective defence and help shape its strategic direction in an evolving global security environment.

“The summit will once again demonstrate Türkiye's strategic role within the alliance and the international security architecture,” he said.

Aktürk also said a defence industry forum on the sidelines of the summit is expected to strengthen transatlantic cooperation in defence production and investment.

Providing an update on NATO-related contributions, he noted that Türkiye has completed a one-year command of NATO’s Amphibious Task Force and Landing Force before transferring leadership to the Netherlands. Command of NATO’s Air Component has also been handed over to France.

The militaryman also added that confidence-building measures between Türkiye's and Greece's armed forces continue through reciprocal visits by military delegations.

By Nazrin Sadigova