İYİ Party Group Deputy Chairman Turhan Çömez submitted a parliamentary question to the Presidency of the Turkish Grand National Assembly, requesting an answer from the Minister of National Defense Yaşar Güler regarding the contract signed by the Ministry of National Defense (MSB) with the US-based lobby and consultancy company Ballard Partners. According to the contract reflected in the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) records within the US Department of Justice, Ballard Partners will provide services to the Ministry of National Defense between August 15, 2026 and August 14, 2027.
During this period, the company will provide strategic consultancy and advocacy services to the ministry before the US federal government and will inform about legislative and policy developments concerning the Ministry of National Defense. While the contract stipulates a monthly payment of 200 thousand dollars to the company, the fixed cost for one year reaches 2.4 million dollars.
Registration fees and travel expenses such as accommodation, flight tickets, vehicle and meals that will arise during the representation activities will also be covered by the Ministry of National Defense. Stating that the fixed fee corresponds to approximately 115 million liras, Çömez also asked for an explanation as to whether there is an upper limit in the contract for additional expenses. Çömez said, "It is not clear how much we will give them, excluding expenses. Even the travel and food expenses of the men will be covered by the Ministry of National Defense. Isn't it a pity for this money?" he said.
'IS THE PURPOSE F-35 AND CAATSA FILES?'
Reminding that Brian Ballard, the founder of Ballard Partners, took part in US President Donald Trump's political campaigns and that there are people close to the Trump administration in the company, Çömez drew attention to the timing of the agreement. Stating that Turkey was removed from the F-35 program after purchasing the S-400 air defense system from Russia, and that sanctions were imposed on the Presidency of Defense Industries and some executives within the scope of CAATSA, Çömez asked the following questions:
"Was Ballard Partners assigned to re-include Turkey in the F-35 program and lift CAATSA sanctions? Was the sale of the S-400s, transferred to a third country, stored or taken out of operation the subject of negotiations with this company?"
'WHY IS THE NEED FOR DIPLOMATIC REPRESENTATION WHEN THERE IS THERE?'
Çömez pointed out that Turkey has diplomatic and military representation mechanisms such as the Washington Embassy, military attaché, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of National Defense and the Presidency of Defense Industries, and asked why a foreign company was needed. Stating that the company works on behalf of various foreign governments and regional political actors as well as Turkey, Çömez said; He requested disclosure of possible conflicts of interest, the confidentiality of information and documents to be given to the company, and whether a security investigation was carried out on employees.
76 QUESTIONS TO MINISTER GÜLER
In his motion, Çömez asked 76 questions, ranging from which tender and service procurement method the contract was made to, from which budget item the payments would be made, whether performance criteria were determined for the company or whether the contract was subject to the audit of the Court of Accounts. Arguing that most of the questions will be left unanswered, Çömez said, "But they should not forget that they will all be recorded. Future generations will question these and hold them accountable."
