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Turkey is preparing to use the new "Ay Yıldız" military complex in Ankara during the NATO summit, which it hosts on July 7 and 8, as the complex is set to host a reception for defense ministers and military officials from NATO countries.
The complex, described by some Turkish media as the "Turkish Pentagon," takes its name from the symbolic crescent and star in the Turkish flag.
Ankara states that the project aims to gather the Ministry of Defense, the General Staff, and the commands of the land, naval, and air forces in one location, after they previously operated from different buildings in the capital.
The term "Turkish Pentagon" is used in the media to refer to the centralization of command and the consolidation of major military institutions in one headquarters, rather than as an official name for the complex.
The "Ay Yıldız" complex is located in the Etimesgut area of Ankara, covering an area estimated by Turkish reports to be about 12.6 million square meters. The foundation stone was laid on August 30, 2021, in the presence of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
According to Turkish statements, the project is designed to be a joint headquarters that includes the Ministry of Defense, the General Staff, and the commands of the land, naval, and air forces, in a step that Ankara claims is aimed at consolidating defensive and military command centers in one complex.
Erdoğan stated during the foundation stone-laying ceremony that changes in defense needs made it necessary for the work of these institutions under one roof, with a strong infrastructure and close coordination.
The project comes after decades of reliance by central military institutions in Ankara on separate headquarters. Erdoğan stated that the buildings of the Ministry of Defense and the General Staff in Kızılay date back to the 1930s, while the Headquarters of the Land Forces was built in 1937, and buildings for naval and air forces in 1960, before the Air Force Command moved to a separate headquarters in 1985.
According to statements reported by Turkish media from the Minister of Defense, the project is being implemented in phases that include construction works and then internal finishes. These statements indicate that the completion of the project and moving to it is expected in 2028, while there are no clear official figures available regarding its total cost.
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The name "Ay Yıldız" is derived from the symbolic crescent and star in the Turkish flag, which is reflected in the architectural design of the complex. Turkish reports indicate that the project features a central structure in the shape of a crescent and a building shaped like a star designated for receptions and exhibitions.
Turkish sources indicate that the project spans an area of approximately 12.6 million square meters, with about 890,000 square meters of enclosed spaces, and a capacity of around 15,000 people.
According to the published information, the complex includes conference halls of various capacities, a circular ceremony area of approximately 23,000 square meters, offices, and facilities for military leadership and the Ministry of Defense, in addition to a building designated for receptions and exhibitions.
Some Turkish media have used the term "Turkish Pentagon" when discussing the project's size and its role as a joint headquarters for military institutions. However, this description remains a media term for approximation, not an official name for the complex.
Turkish reports state that the "Ay Yıldız" complex employs modern construction technologies and equipment, and its design includes defenses against cyber and ballistic threats, as well as chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear risks.
However, so far, there are no details regarding the nature of these systems or the actual level of protection within the complex.
Ankara is hosting the NATO summit at a time when Reuters reports that Turkey aims to showcase the growth of its defense sector and push for the lifting of restrictions on arms and defense technology trade with it.
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