The Chief of the General Staff is appointed by the president and is responsible to the prime minister. The Council of Ministers is responsible to parliament for matters of national security and the adequate preparation of the armed forces to defend the country. However, the authority to declare war and to deploy the Turkish Armed Forces to foreign countries or to allow foreign armed forces to be stationed in Turkey rests solely with the parliament.[64] The actual commander of the armed forces is the Chief of the General Staff General Ik Koaner since August 30, 2010.
Four MEKO 200 TN type frigates of the Turkish Navy in formation.