Turkey's Military Faces Shortage of Combat Pilots and Officers

Mon 14th Jul, 2025

In the wake of the failed coup attempt on July 15, 2016, Turkey's military, recognized as the second largest within NATO, has undergone significant transformations that have led to a critical shortage of combat pilots and officers. The aftermath of the coup attempt resulted in a widespread purge within the armed forces, severely impacting the military's operational capacity.

Following the coup, approximately 95% of staff officers were identified as members of the Gülen movement, leading to their dismissal--a move that has had enduring repercussions on Turkey's defense capabilities. The Turkish government has attributed the coup attempt to the Gülen movement, labeling it as a terrorist organization. The purge saw the dismissal of tens of thousands of military personnel, including many who were later arrested on charges of terrorism and conspiracy.

Significantly, the Turkish Air Force has also suffered a considerable decline in its ranks. According to former military officials, at least 620 pilots were dismissed through decrees issued by the government before 2020, along with over 200 additional pilots. This figure does not account for those dismissed after 2020, highlighting an ongoing trend of personnel loss. The government also removed over 900 flight cadets who were in training to become pilots, further exacerbating the shortage.

The consequences of these dismissals have been profound. Prior to these events, the Turkish Air Force not only met its internal requirements for pilots but also contributed to the civilian aviation sector. Now, the country is reportedly seeking to recruit pilots from abroad to fill the gaps left by the mass exodus of trained personnel. Estimates suggest that around 70% of Turkey's combat pilots have been lost since the coup, creating a critical leadership vacuum.

In a recent legislative move, the Turkish government has proposed increasing the retirement age for four-star generals and admirals from 65 to 72 years. This proposal aims to retain experienced personnel within the military structure, as stated by members of the ruling party. Previously, promotions to general officer ranks were typically reserved for those graduates of elite military academies, ensuring a high caliber of leadership.

However, the establishment of National Defense Universities has raised concerns regarding the quality of military education and personnel development, as these institutions have not yet compensated for the loss of experienced leaders. In 2021, Turkey's former Defense Minister revealed that over 23,000 military personnel had been dismissed since 2016, with only a small number being reinstated.

Following the coup attempt, the Turkish government initiated extensive arrests of military personnel. Reports indicated that over 10,000 soldiers were detained shortly after the coup, including 178 high-ranking generals and admirals, alongside thousands of other officers and lower-ranking soldiers. The arrests have continued, with authorities conducting frequent operations against suspected members of the Gülen movement across the country.

President Erdogan characterized the failed coup as a 'blessing from God,' using it as an opportunity to eliminate what he described as an infiltration of Gülenists not only from the military but across all state institutions. This resulted in the dismissal of over 100,000 civil servants, while the Interior Ministry reported that approximately 332,884 individuals have been arrested on charges related to membership in the Gülen movement since then. These operations continue to occur regularly, reflecting an ongoing crackdown on perceived threats to the state.


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