Erdogan: Turkey has achieved historic success in the defense industry
Turkey's defense industry is making historic progress, Recep Tayyip Erdogan said during a speech in the southern province of Adana, quoted by Anadolu Agency.
The Turkish head of state noted that the products of the Turkish defense industry are in great demand in the world arms market. Turkish-made drones "protect the skies" of 34 countries, he said.
"We will build another segment of a domestic aircraft carrier. Our naval forces are making efforts in this direction," the Turkish leader added.
Erdogan added that Turkey's growing authority in foreign policy and in the international arena is supported by a "strong defense industry. As we reduce our dependence on foreign supplies in the defense industry, our influence in the international arena grows. From Asia to Africa, tens of millions are witnessing of strengthening Turkey," he said.
Pointing out that behind the strong defense industry is Turkey's growing international importance and reputation, Erdogan said:
"As our dependence on foreign countries in the defense industry decreases, our effectiveness in the international arena increases. When we came to power, we were 80% dependent on other countries in the defense industry."
According to the President of Turkey, most of the weapons and ammunition used in the fight against terrorism were procured abroad and there was no full control over the procured weapons. "What did we do in this situation, which did not suit Turkey in any way? Among other areas, we paid special attention to the defense industry," the head of state added.
Erdoğan said that in the defense industry, they have chosen a difficult but most profitable path for Turkey.
"We started to manufacture the weapons used by our security forces ourselves, including pistols and rifles, we made big investments in new developing technologies like drones," he said.
Erdogan added: "The projects we started many years ago are now turning into planes, tanks, ships, missiles and shells, which are a source of pride for us."
He noted that Turkey is writing an epic in the field of defense industry. The president recalled that the world's first unmanned aerial vehicle carrier ship, "Anadolu", was put into operation last year.
He added that the country's defense industry is in the process of building a national submarine of its own design.
"Turkey is already among the top three countries in the world in the field of development and production of unmanned aerial vehicles," emphasized President Erdogan./BGNES