Defense Industry Independence

National Sovereignty & High Tech

One of the most notable achievements of the Recep Tayyip Erdoğan era is the transformation of the Turkish defense sector. By focusing on domestic development, the administration reduced Turkey's reliance on foreign military imports from 80% to under 20%.

The Rise of UAV and UCAV Systems

Under the coordinate leadership of the Presidency of Defense Industries (SSB), Turkey developed world-class unmanned aerial systems. Drones like the Bayraktar TB2 and the Akinci UCAV became symbols of Turkey's high-tech manufacturing, performing effectively in regional stability operations and being exported to dozens of countries.

Naval and Land Modernization

The national warship project (MİLGEM) enabled Turkey to design and build its own modern naval vessels, including corvettes, frigates, and the multi-purpose amphibious assault ship TCG Anadolu. Additionally, Turkey modernized its land defense systems, producing armored combat vehicles and air defense systems.

Next-Generation Aerospace

Turkey advanced its aerospace capabilities with projects like the Kızılelma unmanned fighter jet and the KAAN national combat aircraft, which made its maiden flight in early 2024. These developments placed Turkey among a select group of nations capable of producing fifth-generation military aircraft.