Intelligence reports and diplomatic cables declassified by the USA reveal the details of the military and political disagreements between Türkiye and Washington during the Cold War. The American arms embargo imposed after the Cyprus Peace Operation increased the Turkish army’s need for spare parts and military equipment and led Ankara to procure weapons from different countries. CIA reports evaluate Türkiye’s defense capacity, economic problems, relations with the Soviet Union and position in NATO. The documents also draw attention to the differences of opinion between Ankara and Washington regarding the future of American bases in Türkiye and intelligence flights to the Soviet Union.
WASHINGTON’S ANKARA ACCOUNT
CIA reports and diplomatic cables show that the disagreements between Türkiye and the USA between 1975 and 1979 extended beyond military aid. Ankara’s relations with the Soviet Union, which was seeking military equipment from different countries due to the arms embargo, were also monitored by American intelligence. In 1979, a new dispute arose between the two countries. While Washington wanted to conduct intelligence flights over Türkiye to inspect the SALT II agreement signed with the Soviet Union, Ankara put conditions on American demands, citing Moscow’s possible reaction..
10 DAYS ACCOUNT
In the CIA report dated February 21, 1975 and numbered DCI/NIO 386–75, it is stated that more than 90 percent of Türkiye’s military equipment is of American origin, and this rate reaches approximately 85 percent in aircraft. According to the report, the USA has provided over 3 billion dollars of military equipment to Türkiye since 1950. The most striking assessment is about the possible Turkish-Greek conflict. The CIA report states that, based on the evaluations of senior Turkish officers, spare parts stocks may be insufficient within 7-10 days in the event of a possible war with Greece.
AIRPLANES ARE AT RISK
In the same report of the CIA, it is emphasized that the Turkish Air Force is the force that will be most affected by the embargo. It is estimated that if American spare parts cannot be obtained from other sources, serious maintenance and preparation problems may arise within approximately three months. It is stated that only 16 of the 40 F-4E warplanes purchased by Türkiye have been delivered, and the modernization plan for approximately 800 tanks is in danger. The report notes that although Türkiye has NATO’s second largest land army, it is highly dependent on Washington for the sustainability of its defense systems.
MOSCOW OPTION
Accessible reports show that Türkiye made attempts to procure weapons from different countries following the American arms embargo. The CIA’s 1975 report lists the Soviet Union as possible sources, as well as West Germany, Italy, Iran and Libya. American intelligence states that Ankara did not see buying weapons from Moscow as a serious option at that time, but could use this possibility for diplomatic pressure against its Western allies.
MILITARY SUPPORT FROM LIBYA
The CIA’s 1975 report states that Libya may have provided spare parts and military materials to Türkiye during the Cyprus Peace Operation. According to American intelligence, Libya also contributed to the financing of F-104 warplanes that Türkiye procured from Italy. While the report mentions a cooperation agreement between the two countries for the production of military equipment, the possibility of transferring Libya’s aircraft and tanks to Türkiye is also evaluated.
DEBATE ABOUT SEPARATION FROM NATO
In the secret telegram numbered 2911 sent by US Ambassador to Ankara Ronald Spiers to Washington on April 13, 1979, Türkiye’s position within NATO and its military needs are discussed. According to the telegram, the cost of the five-year modernization program of the Turkish Armed Forces, which was initially calculated as 10-15 billion dollars, was reduced to 3-4 billion dollars in later evaluations. Spiers states that there are circles in Türkiye that advocate leaving NATO, while Prime Minister Bülent Ecevit evaluates the models of Norway and France, which maintain their membership in the alliance and limit the American military presence.
LETTER FROM ECEVİT TO CARTER
It is noteworthy that American intelligence flights were brought to the agenda in the letter sent by Prime Minister Bülent Ecevit to US President Jimmy Carter on April 21, 1979. Ecevit states that Türkiye can contribute to the supervision of the SALT II agreement between the USA and the Soviet Union, which aims to limit nuclear weapons. However It is also underlined that flights by American reconnaissance planes over Türkiye should not endanger relations with the Soviet Union.
