\u201cIt is essential that we use our own resources in an effective and productive way to make progress in the defense industry field,\u201d Fuat Oktay told a summit held by defense firm Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI).<\/p>\n
Turkey has a rich history of arms technology from the Ottoman era to the War of Independence, and it maintains this trend to the present day, he said.<\/p>\n
Turkey, due to its geopolitical and geostrategic position, needs to improve its defense technologies, as dependence on foreign countries harmed Ankara in the past, said Oktay, citing malfunctioning drones and the arms embargo following Turkey\u2019s 1974 Cyprus Peace Operation.<\/p>\n
Turkey has been working day and night to develop its own arms industry, particularly since the early 2000s, he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn the defense industry, our local production rate increased from some 15 percent to 65. Using the experience we got with the ATAK [T-129] helicopter, for instance, we opened a whole new page with heavy-class attack helicopters,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn 2023, we will take our first national aircraft out of the hangar, and in 2026 it will be in the sky. In 2031 it will be in the inventory,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
Turkey currently has more than 600 national projects in the field of defense technologies, he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn 2002, we exported defense and aviation industry products worth $248 million, and by 2018, this figure had risen eightfold to over $2.035 billion,\u201d he said, adding: \u201cIs that enough? Surely not.\u201d<\/p>\n
Oktay stressed that Turkey\u2019s moves on national technology, in line with the country\u2019s long-term goals, would continue to improve and develop the defense industry sector in accordance with Ankara\u2019s needs and aims.<\/p>\n