Turkey begins construction of CBRN shelters in all 81 provinces

Turkey has launched a large-scale initiative to construct and upgrade CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear) shelters across all 81 of its provinces. The project, overseen by the Housing Development Administration of Turkey (TOKİ) and guided by decisions from President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and the National Security Council, aims to enhance civil defense infrastructure against potential military conflicts, regional crises, and large-scale natural disasters such as earthquakes.

A new regulatory framework, developed by the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change and the Ministry of Interior, has been implemented to govern the construction of these spaces. Under the new regulations, protective spaces are mandatory in public and municipal buildings, private facilities, and residences, particularly in high-density areas. Shelters are now required for facilities capable of hosting at least 5,000 people, including shopping centers, sports complexes, and public parks.

This expansion of civil defense coincides with a significant increase in Turkey's defense spending and a strategic push to develop domestic high-value defense technologies.