Turkish Pentagon: Erdogan breaks ground on crescent defense complex

President says new headquarters will 'strike fear in enemies' but embolden friends

20210831NY Erdogan speaks at groundbreaking ceremony of new defense ministry compound

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan speaks at the groundbreaking ceremony for a new defense ministry building in Ankara on Aug. 30. (Anadolu Agency)

SINAN TAVSAN, Nikkei staff writer

September 1, 2021 04:11 JST

ISTANBUL -- President Recep Tayyip Erdogan looks to "strike fear" into Turkey's enemies as the country breaks ground on a massive "Crescent Star Compound" intended to serve as the new home for the defense ministry.

The planned compound, already dubbed by local media as the "Turkish Pentagon," also will house the armed forces chief of general staff as well as land, air and naval command headquarters. Around 15,000 personnel will work in the complex measuring 13 million sq. meters with indoor space of 890,000 sq. meters. The giant crescent- and star-shaped buildings will be in line with Turkey's flag.