Page 6 - Global Power Turkish Defence Industry

A STRONG

DEFENCE Hulusi AKAR

INDUSTRY IS NOT Minister of National Defence

A CHOICE, IT IS

AN OBLIGATION
National Defence Minister Hulusi
Akar said in his speech, “A strong
defence industry is not a choice, it
is an obligation. We have to do it.”

Akar stated that a critical process has been carried out at the regional and global level, “There are
various risks, dangers and threats to our country due to political and military conflicts around us.
Against these, we must be ready to defend our noble nation’s sovereignty and independence; our
motherland.”

Minister Akar emphasized that his primary duties are the security of 780,000 square kilometers of
homeland and 462,000 square kilometers of sea and stated that they work with determination and
diligence.
Akar also touched upon the fight against terrorism, stating that in addition to the heroism and sacrifice
of the personnel in this field, the advanced technology developed by the domestic and national defence
industry also deserves recognition.
Akar pointed out that the defence industry is not only a matter of economy and recalled the problems
in the field of defence industry in the past. Drawing attention to the fact that deals have been reneged
upon by the seller despite exchanging hand for weapons and systems in the past, Akar said, “In 2011,
maintenance of the engines of our UAVs were not conducted in violation of our agreement. ‘Bad
neighbor makes for new home owners,’ and by activating our civilian-military, private-public facilities,
we have reached this point. Today, our private, public companies are building UAVs and exporting them.”

Under the leadership of President Erdoğan, Akar stated that important steps were taken in the defence
industry in terms of local and national production, and that the ratio of national production which was
around 20% in 2002 is now around 70%.

6 TURKISH DEFENCE INDUSTRY