President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said Turkey will continue its pursuit of full independence in its defence industries to join the world's major powers.
This ambition signals a strategic shift toward self-sufficiency, reducing Turkey's reliance on foreign military technology and imports to secure its national sovereignty.
Erdoğan said the remarks Wednesday during the Saha 2026 International Defence, Aviation and Space Exhibition in Istanbul [1]. The event serves as a primary showcase for the nation's latest advancements in military hardware and aerospace engineering.
During his address, Erdoğan said that the country's trajectory is aimed at total autonomy in the production of defence systems. He said, "We will not stop until we achieve our full independence in the defence industries" [1].
The president's focus on the sector aims to position Turkey as a top-tier producer of defence technology. By developing domestic capabilities, Turkey seeks to avoid the constraints often imposed by international suppliers through export licenses, or political conditions.
The Saha 2026 exhibition highlighted the integration of aviation and space technologies into Turkey's broader security strategy. The government intends to move the country into the ranks of the most influential global powers in the sector [1].
This push for industrial independence comes as Turkey continues to expand its drone programs and naval capabilities. The administration views the ability to design and manufacture high-tech weaponry as a requirement for maintaining a strong geopolitical presence in the region [1].
“We will not stop until we achieve our full independence in the defence industries”
Turkey's drive for defence autonomy is a response to previous diplomatic frictions and arms embargoes from Western allies. By prioritizing domestic production, Ankara is attempting to insulate its security apparatus from external political pressure while simultaneously creating a new export engine for its economy.
