Looking back at what happened in the defence industry last week, it’s hard not to feel a wave of pride rising inside. Truly. You know those moments when you see a news story on TV or online and just think, “Well done!”? That’s exactly the kind of week we’ve had.
In April, Turkey achieved $539 million in exports in defence and aerospace. That’s no small feat—an increase of 54% compared to last year. And this isn’t just a commercial success; it’s also a sign that other countries trust us. They choose us because we’re no longer just buyers—we’re now producers. And serious producers at that…
One of the most exciting developments was about the National Combat Aircraft, KAAN. It might still sound like something out of science fiction, but it’s slowly taking its place in our skies. What’s more, an agreement has been reached with Pakistan for joint production. This isn’t just about sharing technology—it’s about deepening friendship and strategic partnership.
Last week also saw our ATMACA missile hit its target with pinpoint accuracy. Roketsan’s LEVENT system successfully passed another test. MKE delivered new munitions to our armed forces. These may sound like technical updates to some, but between the lines, they’re saying something bigger: “We’re taking matters into our own hands.”
Another development that really caught my attention was the Bayraktar TB3 taking part in a naval exercise. Years ago, when we first heard about unmanned aerial vehicles, many of us were sceptical—“Is that even possible?” Now these aircraft are taking off from and landing on aircraft carriers. If you think about it, we’re building the very things we once only saw in cartoons as children.
Of course, the world isn’t standing still either. France is selling armoured vehicles to South Cyprus. Germany is debating whether to sell Eurofighters to Turkey. Russia is buying millions of rounds of ammunition from North Korea. On the global stage, everyone’s alert, everyone’s positioning.
But I keep coming back to this: Turkey is no longer a country searching for its place—it’s a country building its place. And that didn’t come easy. Engineers, technicians, people working day and night—many of them young. In their eyes, there’s not just hope, but determination. They once said, “We can do this,” and now they’re at the point of saying, “We’re doing it better.”
Defence is no longer just about security. It’s a source of inspiration for young people, revenue for the country, and influence in foreign policy. In short, it’s a gateway to the future.
The road may be long. There will be mistakes and shortcomings. But one thing is now certain: this train has left the station—and it’s on a journey with no final stop.
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