President Erdoğan: Besides the gallantry and strength of our soldiers, the progress we have made in defense industry also plays a major role in our achievements

 

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan delivered a speech at the inauguration of the Turkish Armed Forces’ Ammunition Sorting and Separation Plant in Kırıkkale’s Yahşihan district.

President Erdoğan said: “Besides the gallantry and strength of our soldiers, the progress we have made in defense industry also plays a major role in our achievements. Were it not for the crucial works Turkey has carried out in defense industry over the past 17 years, we would now be in a position where we cannot fight terrorist organizations even on our own soil, let alone outside our borders. This success is the outcome of long and strenuous efforts woven with self-sacrifices.”

“DOMESTIC PRODUCTION IS ESSENTIAL PARTICULARLY IN DEFENSE INDUSTRY”

“While only 62 defense projects were carried out in 2002, today this figure has approximated 700,” the President underscored, and added: “Our defense industry budget has increased from $5.5 billion to a project volume of $60 billion with nearly an elevenfold growth. When projects whose tendering processes continue are also taken into consideration, this figure increases to $75 billion. The sector’s turnover, which was $1 billion in 2002, has reached some $9 billion today. The research and development expenditure, which was nearly zero before, has risen to $1.5 billion. Today, there are five Turkish companies among the world’s top defense firms.”

Stating that domestic production is essential particularly in defense industry, President Erdoğan noted: “As a result of our steps over the past 17 years, the domestic production rate has increased from 20% to some 70%.”