Şanlıurfa, Türkiye , Oct. 5 (SANA) Türkiye is undergoing a “complete revolution” in its defense industry and will continue expanding its capabilities, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said Saturday.
Speaking at the TEKNOFEST Southeast aviation and technology festival in Şanlıurfa, Erdoğan said Türkiye had significantly reduced its reliance on foreign defense suppliers and had become the world’s 11th-largest defense exporter.
More than 4,500 companies and over 100,000 people are involved in defense projects spanning air, land, sea and space, coordinated by the Presidency of Defense Industries, he said.
Türkiye was once 80% dependent on foreign sources for its defense needs, Erdoğan said, adding that defense and aerospace exports reached $6.3 billion in the first eight months of the year, up 16.2% from the same period in 2025. Exports totaled $511.4 million in August alone.
Erdoğan said Türkiye also helps meet the defense needs of friendly countries when requested, arguing that stronger partners would strengthen Türkiye as well.
He pledged further advances through new platforms and technologies with higher competitiveness and added value.
Erdoğan also highlighted Şanlıurfa’s ancient scientific and cultural heritage, citing figures including Al-Battani, Sinan ibn Thabit and scholars associated with Harran, as well as the archaeological site of Göbeklitepe.
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