Defence sector and military cooperation between Turkey and the Central Asian Republics: limitations and prospects amidst intensified regional and global rivalry

Recent Turkey-Central Asian Republic integration attempts are notable. Regular visits, Turkic World summits, economic steps to build a cooperative development bank, defense procurement, and regional policy collaboration have driven this trend. China's Bridge and Road Initiative, NATO's exit from Afghanistan, the Taliban's ascent, and the Russian elite's use of the “Russkiy Mir” after the Russo-Ukrainian War make the “Turkic world” geopolitically vital. Global and regional power struggles will make the region's natural resources and strategic location more important in coming decades. Turkey-Central Asia defense cooperation may also shape the region. This study aims to determine if Turkey-region defense cooperation improves Turkic integration. The states utilize regional military ties and diverse tools for regional and global objectives. The probe will begin with “Turkic integration” and recent Turkish defense industry achievements, then regional defense ties. Finally, a comparative analysis will reveal regional integration constraints and potential, focusing on defense cooperation.