President Erdoğan: "The Turkish Defense Industry is literally writing an epic story."

The 17th International Defense Industry Fair (IDEF 2025), hosted by the Ministry of National Defense, with support from the Presidency of Defense Industries, and organized under the management and responsibility of the Turkish Armed Forces Foundation, is taking place at the Istanbul Fair Center (IFM). President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan also attended the fair's opening ceremony.

President Erdoğan, stating that they are organizing the 17th International Defense Industry Fair this year, one of the world's three largest and most influential fairs, said, "I am very pleased and excited to be with you at the opening ceremony of the International Defense Industry Fair IDEF 2025. I would like to welcome each and every guest from Türkiye and different countries of the world who are honoring our fair to Istanbul, the city where culture, civilization, and technology meet. I hope that the meetings you will hold, the agreements you will reach, and the partnerships you will establish within the scope of the fair will be beneficial for our countries, companies, and sectors. I wholeheartedly congratulate our Ministry of National Defense, our Presidency of Defense Industries, and the Turkish Armed Forces Foundation for successfully organizing this organization, which has become a global brand. Likewise, I thank our companies that are exhibiting at the fair with their high-tech defense products. We are organizing the 17th International Defense Industry Fair this year, one of the world's three largest and most influential fairs in its field. Today, we are here not only to contribute to the development of the Turkish defense industry, but also to the development of a We are witnessing the nation's march towards independence and witnessing the story of a country rising with its own wings in its own sky. I would like to emphasize here that we are deeply proud and honored by the increasing interest in our fair every year. We are delighted to host 937 delegation members representing 219 delegations from 99 countries and international organizations at this year's event. Nearly 1,000 domestic and over 400 foreign companies will have the opportunity to showcase their products developed in the fields of land, air, sea, space, and cyber security for six days. More than 120,000 professional visitors are expected to attend the fair by Sunday. I would like you to know that we do not view this valuable gathering as a purely commercial activity, or as an international marketplace for the promotion and sale of defense industry products.

President Erdoğan stated that the issue is not about shopping, but about developing lasting partnerships alongside trade. He said, "As I always say, the issue is not about shopping. The real issue is establishing long-term partnerships based on win-win principles. The issue is developing lasting partnerships alongside trade. As Turkey, we are ready for this and are open to multifaceted collaborations. I wish success to all of our companies participating in IDEF 2025 with their products and equipment, and I extend my gratitude to each and every one of our guest delegations. I hope that IDEF 2025 will make significant contributions to the relations between our sectors and companies, especially in the field of defense, open the door to new collaborations, and strengthen our friendship and brotherhood. First of all, I want to underline this point: We are going through a period where the balance of power is being redefined, global centers of gravity are shifting, and international competition is increasingly heated. As you are following, we wake up to a new crisis every day. No one knows what will happen tomorrow, no one can predict. After World War II, The established, rules-based international system is being replaced by a new order where we can judge whoever has the power to control whom. A mindset that believes the strong are right, rather than the might is rapidly becoming ingrained. International mechanisms through which the righteous can seek their rights are failing to fulfill their expected duties. Turkey, due to its geographical location as well as its historical, human, and cultural ties, is one of the countries most acutely feeling the effects of this new status quo. The genocide in Gaza, which has been accelerating for 22 months, Israel's attacks aimed at destabilizing our region, the war between Russia and Ukraine that has been going on for three and a half years, and the recurring tensions across a vast region from South Asia to North Africa, from the Balkans to the South Caucasus—all of these concerns us in some way, requiring us to take precautions and intervene.

"Netanyahu and his network of massacres have long surpassed Hitler in barbarity."

President Erdoğan stated that the problem of the children in Gaza, who are emaciated from starvation because they are not allowed to enter humanitarian aid, is our problem. He said, "When we say we are surrounded by a ring of fire, we do not say this to brag. On the contrary, we are expressing a reality we live with every day. I would like to state this clearly and directly once again: the problem of the children in Gaza, who are emaciated from starvation because they are not allowed to enter humanitarian aid, is our problem. The attacks on Syria, where hopes have been revived with the December 8 revolution after 13.5 years of oppression, are our problem. The hot conflicts that endanger the security of the Black Sea are also a source of great concern for us. From Libya to Sudan, from Pakistan to Afghanistan, wherever there is trouble, conflict, or instability, all are sensitive issues that must be followed carefully for our country. Now look, dear friends. Turkish foreign policy is founded on the principles of peace, justice, international law, respect for sovereignty, fairness, and solidarity. We do not seek influence. We seek domination." We are not. We never, ever intend to interfere in anyone's internal affairs. We wholeheartedly desire peace, tranquility, and solidarity in our region. Of course, while demanding this, we do not hesitate to fulfill the requirements. Wherever we see injustice, injustice, or oppression, we clearly voice our voice and react in a specific manner. With this understanding, we continue to keep Israel's genocide against the people of Gaza, which far surpasses the Nazis, on the agenda of all humanity. Along with our humanitarian aid, we have also increased our diplomatic contacts aimed at ending the brutality in Gaza. Our goal is to establish a ceasefire as soon as possible. Allowing humanitarian aid to enter Gaza is another priority. Unfortunately, we are facing a truly horrific situation where even the Red Cross is not allowed to enter. I have said it before: Netanyahu and his massacre network have long surpassed Hitler in barbarity. Even during the Holocaust in Europe, scenes as inhumane as those in Gaza were not revealed.

"Whoever remains silent about the genocide in Gaza is complicit in Israel's crimes against humanity."

President Erdoğan stated that none of us can remain silent while humanity is dying in Gaza, while babies and children are dying, while people are dying just to buy a sack of flour, and he said, "No one with an iota of human dignity can accept this cruelty, in which dozens of innocent people die every day just because they can't find a bite of bread, a sip of water. They cannot remain silent. They cannot consent to this state of insanity. Whoever remains silent about the genocide in Gaza is complicit in Israel's crimes against humanity. While humanity is dying in Gaza, while babies and children are dying, while people are dying just to buy a sack of flour, none of us can and will not remain silent. None of us can forget the severed heads of those innocent babies, the severed hands and legs of those children, the unburied corpses that, excuse me, dogs began to eat out of hunger, that hunger, that scream, those heartbreaking screams of the mothers, none of us will. In these dark days when mass deaths from hunger have begun, I call on the entire international community to unite on the front of humanity. Let us all react to this brutality. Let's say, "Enough is enough with this oppression, this savagery." Let's not allow a handful of enemies of humanity, blinded by their lust for power, to further tarnish the name of humanity. Otherwise, this bloodstain will not only fall on the hands of Netanyahu and his murderous network, but also on the hands, foreheads, and if there is any remaining conscience, of everyone who remained silent and indifferent to the genocide in Gaza. As Turkey, we have been striving for a just and sustainable world order, together with our friends, on every platform from the very beginning. While taking every step to establish global peace and security, we are mobilizing all our resources to prevent further tragedies. In this process, we have adopted the following principle as our guide: "A thousand silver coins' worth of peace is better than one silver coin's worth of discord." Yes, whatever we do in the name of peace diplomacy, we do it in light of this wise saying. Another principle we have never forgotten throughout this process is: "Be ready for war; peace if you desire." "So, if you want peace, tranquility, security, stability and prosperity, you have to maintain your deterrence at the highest level," he said.

"The localization rate of our defense industry has exceeded 80 percent today."

President Erdoğan, noting that the domestic production rate in our defense industry has exceeded 80 percent today, said, "Based on this background, while pursuing a humanitarian and proactive foreign policy, we have also accelerated our defense and security investments. From design to mass production, from R&D studies to the innovation process, we have brought the Turkish defense industry to a new era. We have significantly overcome our dependence on foreign sources, which was our main problem for a while. The domestic production rate in our defense industry, which was 20 percent when we took office, has now exceeded 80 percent. More than 3,500 companies in the sector are successfully continuing their work with a qualified personnel of 100,000 people. The Turkish defense industry is making history today with over 1,380 projects, a turnover exceeding $20 billion, and a wide product range. We are meeting almost all the needs of our security units in the most effective way with our own resources. Our domestic products play an active role in the counter-terrorism operations of our security forces and in our operations at home and abroad. We are one of the three leading countries in the world in UAV and UCAV technology. Last year, we achieved the highest number of UAV and UCAV technologies in the world. "Turkish companies supplied 65 of every 100 UAVs sold. The game-changing concept of our UAVs, in particular, is making a significant impact on a global scale. It is transforming traditional tactics and strategies. Similarly, Turkey is currently one of the 10 countries in the world that designs, develops, and manufactures its own warships. Our prime contractors, subcontractors, SMEs, research institutions, and universities are adorning our exports with new stars with the original products they develop," he said. "Our defense industry companies achieved significant success last year by exporting products to 180 different countries."

Stating that Turkey has become the 11th largest defense exporter in the world today, President Erdoğan said, "I would like to express this with great pride: Turkey has become the 11th largest defense exporter in the world today. Our unmanned aerial vehicles, national ship projects, electronic systems, land vehicles, weapons, and ammunition are followed and demanded with envy. Our defense industry companies achieved significant success by exporting products to 180 different countries last year. This figure is also striking: In 2024, our defense and aerospace exports, including NATO and service exports, broke a new record by reaching $7.154 billion with a 29 percent increase. Thus, we exceeded our 2024 target of $6.5 billion by 11 percent. Our exports in June 2025 increased by 10.4 percent compared to the previous year, reaching $623 million. Our exports in the last 12 months increased by 23.1 percent compared to the previous year, reaching $7.5 billion." "It has reached its level. With the right strategies we will pursue in areas such as laser and electromagnetic weapon systems, autonomous systems, cybersecurity, quantum technology, and artificial intelligence, we will, God willing, further increase our competitiveness in the near future. I also believe it's worth noting that one of our most important advantages as a country is our qualified and dynamic workforce. We possess the trained workforce to carry our technological breakthroughs even further in every field, especially the defense industry. We are determined to further develop this. On this occasion, I once again wholeheartedly congratulate all our institutions and organizations, companies, and each and every one of our brothers and sisters who have contributed to all these achievements, especially our Presidency of Defense Industries. We are proud of the Turkish defense sector. We wholeheartedly believe that we will reach even greater levels in the future," he said.

"We are taking determined steps towards a fully independent Türkiye in the defense industry."

President Erdoğan emphasized that they are taking determined steps towards a fully independent Turkey in the defense industry, saying, "With the vision of a global power Turkey, we are taking determined steps towards a fully independent Turkey in the defense industry. We have initiated a major transformation in the defense industry, which we call the national competence initiative. With this national competence initiative, which I personally approved and instructed, we aim to create a systematic structure within the defense industry ecosystem. With our work in this field, our defense and security investments, we will strive to build a much greater and stronger Türkiye that inspires trust in friends and fear in enemies. We will work together, we will produce together, and we will walk together into the future. May God help and assist us all. With these thoughts, I hope that the 17th International Defense Industry Fair will bring blessings to our countries, sectors, and companies. I thank all our friends and brothers who honored the fair once again. I hope that the signatures, new agreements, and collaborations to be made within the scope of the fair will make concrete contributions to the relations between us. I extend my sincere gratitude to our Ministry of National Defense, the Presidency of Defense Industries, the Turkish Armed Forces Strengthening Foundation, and those who contributed to the fair. "I would like to thank each and every one of my brothers and sisters, each and every one of our companies, and I greet you once again with respect and love," he said.

UAV

Reporter: News Center