The Turkish Government is planning to bring the military under civilian control in a bid to transform the armed forces from a conscript to a professional force.

The Financial Times reported an adviser to Prime Minister Omer Celik as saying that the Government has plans to limit the forces’ financial and judicial autonomy, and is also considering shortening compulsory military service.

“The Turkish armed forces will now be supervised, financially and administratively, like in a modern democracy…there will be transparency, and a defence ministry under civilian control,” Celik said.

Constitutional changes will be initiated when parliament reconvenes in October to replace the charter dictated by the military after the 1980 coup.