Turkish Ministry of National Defense (MSB) said on Monday that work is continuing on the establishment of a Multinational Corps Headquarters under NATO’s Southeast Regional Plan, with the facility expected to operate under Turkish command.
Ministry sources said the initiative was launched in 2023 and formally communicated to NATO in 2024, as part of Ankara’s contribution to the alliance’s regional defense framework.
Turkish command structure
According to the plan, the headquarters will be led by a Turkish general. The 6th Corps Command has been designated to support the structure, and appointments for the national core staff have been completed.
Efforts to transform the headquarters into a fully multinational structure are ongoing in coordination with NATO authorities. However, officials noted that the approval process has not yet been finalized due to ongoing alliance procedures, and the headquarters has not been formally designated or assigned an official insignia.
Role in NATO’s regional plans
The planned headquarters is expected to play a central role in integrating forces allocated under NATO’s regional plans and in supporting deterrence and defense activities within its area of responsibility.
Ministry sources emphasized that the project is part of a previously approved NATO framework and is not directly linked to recent developments in the region.
