Erdogan Pitch For Strong Defence Industry and Manufaturing Firms

Building defense industry free of external dependency is the priority of our government and primary goal, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Sunday while referring the country's naval production capacity which is strengthened with Public-Private sector coordination. He was speaking at the "New Naval Systems Delivery Ceremony" held in Istanbul's Tuzla, home to civil and military shipyards, highlighted the fact that the Turkish defense industry has come a long way in reducing outside dependency and accelerated domestic production up to 70% over the last decade.

"Turkey is one of the 10 countries that are able to design and build their own warships and noting that the country's maritime platforms were equipped with domestic weapon and radar systems. More daring projects will follow in the next five years", he said.

"Our goal is to reach a level where our land, air and sea elements, including unmanned and autonomous marine vehicles can perform joint tasks," with unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), armed drones and unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UVAC), the president stressed.Two emergency response and diver training boats, two new Underwater Assault Team (SAT) boats and eight fast patrol boats were delivered during Sunday's ceremony. It was attended by National Defense Minister Hulusi Akar, Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Adil Karaismailoğlu, Chief of Staff General Yaşar Güler, the Defense Industries Presidency (SSB) Chairman Ismail Demir and Cenk Kaptanoğlu, CEO of the Desan Shipyard where the ceremony took place.

According to reports the boats will allow at least three divers to dive at the same time up to a depth of 90 meters (295 feet) and will be used in shallow and deep water diving training of diver personnel.

Erdoğan further underlined the country's achievements in the defense industry have made significant contributions to Ankara's strategic accomplishments both within and outside of its lands.The TCG Anadolu, Turkey's first Multipurpose Amphibious Assault Ship (LHD) and flagship-to-be, is set to join the inventory next year, Erdoğan reiterated.