Nato plans to establish a multinational corps in Turkey, the Turkish defence ministry revealed this week, signalling Ankara’s desire to strengthen its deterrence in the region.

The ministry said work on establishing the multinational corps MNC-TUR has been under way since 2023 as part of Nato’s southern regional plan, and that Ankara’s decision to move forward with it was communicated to Nato allies in 2024.

Ankara has designated the 6th Corps Command, based in the southern province of Adana, to meet the needs of the new headquarters. The corps is expected to be established under the command of a Turkish general, with the necessary appointments already made to the national core staff.