THE ROLE OF THE PARLIAMENT IN THE PROCUREMENT OF DEFENSE SYSTEMS IN TURKEY
Decisions and policies that agreed by the parliament, provide legitimacy to the government in the face of the international affairs and provide maneuvering capability when needed.
The Parliament is the place where the state and government policies are negotiated through representative democracy. Focus of the parliament is protecting the interests of the nation. One of the most important bodies of the parliament is the commissions(committees) especially specialized commissions like budget, defense, foreign relations… It is hoped that the members of the parliament will use their knowledge and skills in theoretical and practical way in commission studies. If the deputy does not have enough knowledge and experience about ongoing legislative works of policies he/she would supported by advisors. Although it is difficult to clear the issues from the political concept in the legislative or executive processes, the aim of the discussions in the negotiations placed in legislative commissions; to reach the results that are focusing in favor of the nation. The parliamentary research commissions are established with the common senses and common vote of the ruling and opposition parties are the best examples of this behavior in Turkey. Personally I have witnessed many times that deputies in parliamentary research committees which were be established to research common public affairs in the Grand National Assembly of Turkiye, have been working on behalf of the nation’s interests by leaving their political agendas. On the other hand, in our specialized commissions, things go a little different. Detailed in the next passage.
At the end of the year 2018, I was attended a meeting held in Ankara. Open minded meeting was about relations between Turkey and allies, border issues and military capacity. Strategic defense systems were also discussed at the meeting which included members of parliament, retired officers from air, sea and land forces, diplomats, bureaucrats and academics. In the Q&A session of the meeting, I shared my thoughts on the supply chain and decision-making mechanisms of defense systems. In my opinion the national defense commission is a kind of oak barrel in which the policies on defense and security are matured in favor of the nation. As in the other parliamentary commissions, the national defense committee is expected to discuss the laws and issues with all their details and their possible effects. Democratic states, negotiate and shape their security and defense policies in their national defense commissions in parliament. The parliament can affecting governments transparently through its checks and balances role. While representing the nation, member of parliament(deputy) is protecting the taxpayers for resourcing the state in democratic countries. In many parliaments, deputies act with the motive to question whether the resources paid by taxpayers are used effectively or not. Those countries parliaments and commissions are mostly work in transparent conditions and open for citizen attendance. Transparent conditions and welcomed efforts of people to being a part of legislation could support to create effective and generally accepted policies. In these parliaments, supply of defense systems with large costs are monitored with precision. It should be noted that with the demand and supply of defense system shows the road map of a country’s attitude of its own global political position. Also procurement of foreign systems give a message to international counterparts about angle of view for international affairs involved by country. So getting a defense system isn’t just a ordinary procurement. With this procurement; governments give a message includes which countries you have good relations and which countries you will be cautious now and future. Therefore, it is important to include the parliament in these processes and decision-making mechanisms in the procurement of defense systems. I’m not just addressing national defense commission of the parliament. In a situation that I witnessed many times in Turkish parliament, national defense and foreign affairs commissions often work on different components of the same issue but not establish a joint commission that combines defense and foreign affairs in order to evaluate the issue in detail. I saw many many times Turkish deputies missed the parts of issues; some of them focusing on local politics, some of them talking about financing procedures and some of them questioning foreign affairs but they don’t set up a joint commission to discussing issue with all parts. They are missing the chance to discussing the big picture of issues. However, common commissions are often established in the parliaments of developed countries to work on special issues.
In order to create an independent country and an independent decision-making mechanism, the discussion of the issues in the parliament where the whole nation represented is a key factor. Decisions and policies that agreed by the parliament, provide legitimacy to the government in the face of the international affairs and provide maneuvering capability when needed.
Nowadays S-400 and F-35 systems are very popular in Ankara, Washington and Moscow. Those two popular defense system procurement(S-400) and partnership agreements(F-35) are under lights of international organisations and governments as well. Armed forces, think tanks and defense companies are also closely looking for updates of S-400 and F-35 decisions of Turkish Government. Historical defense ties, ongoing cooperation on energy projects and conflict zones are part of equation right now. While Turkey looking for air superiority and air defense capability with those two systems, Turkish parliament didn’t have a chance to be a part of decision making process.
As stated above, if major defense system procurements had been discussed in parliament, Turkish government would not be under pressure today. Building a common view while procurement of major defense systems that would affect the next half-century is a key factor to being developed and independent country.
Now let’s look at Turkish Parliament and MPs.
In 26. legislation term(2015–2018) of The Grand National Assembly of Turkiye;
- I see only twelve speeches that contains air defence issue. I can say that they’re mostly nonsense arguments. There are no technical informations, no financial discussions, no view of strategic military concept and doctrine.
In 27. legislation term(2018-Mar. 5 2019) of The Grand National Assembly of Turkiye;
- Just seven MPs talked about air defence system and again they were mostly nonsense arguments. Again there are no technical informations, no financial discussions, no view of strategic military concept and doctrine.
In Turkish parliament; there were 550 MPs in 26. term. Now we have 600 MPs in 27. legislation term.
Current situation is not blame of government. I think every part of the Turkish political society is guilty because not interested in defense politics and international affairs. Political parties and MPs are not interested in defense systems. Defence ministry is not interested to inform MPs. MPs advisors have no idea in defense related issues. Defense companies don’t have political communication, legislative communication departments. I’m highlighting again: if major defense system procurements had been discussed in parliament, Turkish government would not be under pressure today.
