At the end of August, while Türkiye celebrates the anniversary of the battle of independence, the Istanbul and Ankara factories were filled with movement; Production lines did not stop, and conference halls embraced delegations from more than 30 journalists and experts from 23 countries, to attend a seminar entitled “From Roots to Prospects: The Story of the rise of Turkish Defense Industries.”
This scene is not just a review of modern technologies, but a window on an ambitious national project that re -draws Türkiye’s position in the regional and international equation, from defensive to global influence.
The story of Turkish defense industries started with the uterus of crises. Specifically, after the 1974 Cyprus war, when Ankara faced a strict ban on the import of weapons. From this crisis, companies such as Asilsan and Rochetsan, with popular support and collection of donations from citizens, were launched, so that the defense industry becomes a symbol of national ability and strategic independence.
This stage was established for a clear vision: self -reliance as a security and political option, and to find national solutions to international restrictions.
Today, Türkiye does not only make weapons, but to build capabilities, and weave strategic partnerships:
– The Turkish running planes have proven their worth in the conflict arenas such as Libya, Azerbaijan, and Ukraine.
Defense cooperation with friendly countries enhances political influence and creates new balances in the region.
– Projects such as the running fighter Qazza and the first armed ship in the world confirm that Türkiye no longer pursues development, but rather draws the rules and defines the standards.
This transformation puts Turkish defense industries at the heart of regional dynamics, and gives Ankara tools influence on foreign policy and strategic alliances.
Before the millennium, Türkiye was 80% abroad to arm it, with a limited number of companies and specific projects, and returns not exceeding one billion dollars annually. Today, the country has more than 100 companies specialized in defense industries, and the annual exports volume are several billion dollars, with high -tech projects in space, aviation, and navy.
This growth is not just an industrial development, but a strategic transformation: from a country importing weapons to an influential player in the manufacture of military and international political decision -making.
Türkiye has proven that investing in defense industries is not limited to strengthening military ability, but rather extends to building political and economic influence. By combining the national vision, technological innovation, and international partnerships, Ankara continues to write a new chapter in its strategic history, stressing that power is not only in arms, but in the ability to use it to achieve long -term political goals.
