10.11.2025 02:38
The General Chairman of the DEVA Party, Ali Babacan, made important statements regarding TOGG during a program he attended. Babacan, who stated that he has always supported the TOGG project, suggested that all taxis in Turkey should be TOGG vehicles and should be sold in installments without special consumption tax (ÖTV) and value-added tax (KDV).
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DEVA Party Chairman Ali Babacan made important statements on topics considered external to domestic politics, ranging from UAVs and armed drones to the domestic car TOGG and the latest developments in defense technology, in a program broadcasted on YouTube by journalist Hakan Çelik.
Emphasizing that the F-35s are Turkey's right, Ali Babacan stated that there are significant opportunities ahead for Turkey in UAVs, armed drones, and the defense industry, expressing pride in the sale of KAAN to Indonesia and supporting the purchase of Eurofighter fighter jets.
Stating that the defense industry is crucial for national independence, DEVA Party leader Ali Babacan referred to state and private sector organizations working in this field as "our national pride." He made a striking proposal regarding the domestic car brand TOGG and called on the government.
ALI BABACAN'S "TOGG TAXI PROJECT"
Ali Babacan proposed that all taxis in Turkey should be TOGGs and sold in installments without special consumption tax (ÖTV) and value-added tax (KDV). Babacan explained the project, which could be called "TOGG TAXI," by saying, "We must take care of our own brand and promote it. If they don't do it, we will do it the day we get the authority."
"Currently, for a gasoline, diesel, or LPG taxi, the real price of the car is around 100 lira, and you have to pay 100 lira in taxes, which is why taxis cannot be renewed, and ÖTV cannot be collected. The state is already after the ÖTV it cannot collect. Therefore, the state could implement an exemption from ÖTV and KDV for electric cars to be used only in taxis, along with a suitable financing package. This way, we would also promote our own brand. People coming to Turkey will see domestic brand vehicles wherever they turn their heads. It would be good for global promotion. We will trust our own brand so that others can trust it too."
TAXI STANDS WITH CHARGING STATIONS
Babacan also stated, "These electric charging stations can easily be established at taxi stands. Therefore, while vehicles wait at the taxi stand, they can charge. A taxi service that is environmentally friendly and has very low maintenance and fuel costs can be realized in Turkey. I see the widespread use of these electric vehicles, especially our domestic brand TOGG, in commercial vehicles, particularly taxis, as very important. We must take care of our own brand."
"STARTING THE DOMESTIC BRAND WITH ELECTRICITY WAS A SMART MOVE"
Ali Babacan told Hakan Çelik, who asked about his thoughts on TOGG: "Starting this domestic brand with electricity in Turkey was indeed a very smart move. That's why the TOGG project has been a project I have always supported and considered very important since day one. Here, the domestic brand is something we can control the pricing policy and design of. Of course, in the automotive market, there is no such thing as 100% domestic. There must be some technology sharing. There must be international technological solidarity. The higher the local content rate, the better. But the important thing is to have control over brand management, coordination, pricing policy, and design. When I say design, it can be aimed for 100% domestic design. But if a critical situation arises, you can temporarily bring in something that is good in another country. Then you start to improve it yourself."
"I DROVE THE FIRST ELECTRIC CAR IN 2012"
Ali Babacan stated that he drove the first electric car in America in 2012 and conducted a one-hour test drive both in the city and outside. He also shared significant changes in the electric vehicle sector worldwide, mentioning that half of the 28 million vehicles sold in China are electric and that Japan has made great progress in technologies that shorten charging times.
"WE PAID FOR THE F-35S, WHY SHOULD WE GIVE UP OUR RIGHTS?"
DEVA Party Chairman Ali Babacan stated that Turkey has the right to acquire the F-35, of which it is a project partner. Babacan said, "We have a right there, don't we? Why should we give up our rights? We have invested our sweat and intellect. We are one of the four partner countries. We have paid money. Why shouldn't we acquire it? Why should we give up? Why should we give up? I mean, it is our right. They have seized our rights. Now, there is a chain of mistakes on both sides, in my opinion. But the first button was misbuttoned by someone else. It wasn't Turkey that misbuttoned the first button," he said.
Stating that Turkey is one of the first four countries that were partners in the F-35 project, Ali Babacan said, "We were program partners. We paid money, but we couldn't get the planes. We received the invoice and the license, but we couldn't get the aircraft itself due to CATSA sanctions. It is an aircraft with serious technical problems. Perhaps if Turkey had been involved, those problems would not have occurred. That's a separate issue. Because when you change partners and make significant strategic changes, problems arise in the projects. The F-35 is still not an aircraft free from such problems today. Yes, it is a very advanced technology, but it is still problematic. Those problems need to be resolved."
"TURKEY IS MAKING A NAME FOR ITSELF IN UAV AND ARMED DRONE TECHNOLOGY"
DEVA Party Chairman stated, "Turkey needs to rapidly reduce its dependence on foreign countries in the defense industry, rapidly." He said, "This is a long-term goal. For example, Turkey has made a significant leap in UAVs and armed drones. It is now making a name for itself in the world. And as I said, Turkey needs to find certain areas in technology and make a leap in those areas. UAVs and armed drones have become one of those areas. This is very important. Because when I was the Minister of Foreign Affairs, I experienced that we had to conduct operations relying on the images of UAVs from another country when we did not have our own UAVs and armed drones during the first operations in Kandil. I was very saddened. It was only when we developed our own vehicles that our dependence on foreign countries decreased."
"THE F-35 TECHNOLOGY IS STILL PROBLEMATIC"
Ali Babacan also answered questions regarding the issues faced in the acquisition of the F-35 and the purchase of Eurofighter. "Turkey was one of the first four countries of the F-35 when it was still in the project phase, even on paper. We were program partners. We paid money, but we couldn't get the planes. We received the invoice and the license, but we couldn't get the aircraft itself due to CATSA sanctions. It is an aircraft with serious technical problems. Perhaps if Turkey had been involved, those problems would not have occurred. That's a separate issue. Because when you change partners and make significant strategic changes, problems arise in the projects. The F-35 is still not an aircraft free from such problems today. Yes, it is a very advanced technology, but it is still problematic. Those problems need to be resolved."
Ali Babacan responded to journalist Hakan Çelik's question, "Should the F-35 be acquired?" with the following answer: "We have a right there, don't we? Why should we give up our rights? We have invested our sweat and intellect. We are one of the four partner countries. We have paid money. Why shouldn't we acquire it? Why should we give up? Why should we give up? I mean, it is our right."
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They have usurped our rights. Now, look, there is a chain of mistakes on both sides, in my opinion. But the first one to button up incorrectly was not Turkey, look.
"THE FIRST MISTAKE WAS MADE BY ALLIES WHO DID NOT GIVE US THE PATRIOTS"
The first one to make a mistake was our so-called trusted NATO allies who did not give us the Patriots. So they made a mistake there. Because alliance is a long-term relationship. Don't look at the current government. Look at the long-term perspective of the country. Alliance is a long journey together. Alliance is a shared destiny. This is how we understand alliance. But the moment our allies say, "We do not trust you, friends," that relationship evolves in a different direction. After that, a lot of theories are produced. 'Should Turkey join the Shanghai Cooperation Organization? Should Turkey form an alliance with Russia and China?' unnecessary theories are produced.
"EUROFIGHTER WAS A GOOD CHOICE"
Ali Babacan also answered the question of whether the Eurofighter acquisition was good for Turkey: "Our largest fleet that we have been using and are accustomed to is the F-16. But gradually, it is wearing out. The time for change, for engine and aircraft replacement is coming. However, we are again stuck with America's limitations. Now, from this perspective, actually, this Typhoon, Eurofighter issue has become a good starting point for Turkey, in my opinion. A correct and good choice. Because at least you are not putting all your eggs in one basket. You are distributing the risk. No one should remain completely dependent on anyone. Moreover, perhaps the most important feature of this Eurofighter Typhoon is its open platform. Turkey has more rights regarding the source codes. The flexibility it provides in integrating these aircraft with its own defense industry technology.
"TURKEY HAS TERRIFIC OPPORTUNITIES AHEAD"
Babacan emphasized that Trump's announcement that America would not stand behind European defense as a NATO ally created a great opportunity for Turkey, continuing: Trump told Europe, "I won't pay for your defense, friends." A 5% target was set for NATO, as you know. Now all NATO countries will increase their defense spending to 5% of their national income. Europe will start allocating huge budgets for this. But there is not yet a defense industry in Europe that can support such a large scale. Right at this point, Turkey now has a tremendous opportunity. I mean, what can Turkey's defense industry contribute to the hundreds of billions of euros that Europe will spend on defense? What can we export there? This requires special work. Special work. Europe is raising funds. Turkey can benefit from that fund. This is also a very important issue.
"IT WILL CHANGE TURKEY'S ECONOMIC FATE"
Babacan stated that the obstacle posed by Greece in the defense fund, which is mentioned as 150 billion euros, needs to be overcome, and he noted that if Turkey receives a share from the fund, its economic fate will change.
Ali Babacan pointed out the importance of having domestic technology for a country's independence, giving an example from his time in government: "I experienced and saw these during my 8 years as a member of the National Security Council while I was Minister of Foreign Affairs. Turkey must be independent. Turkey's deterrent power must be high. But Turkey must always be in favor of peace. And there is a fine line between being in favor of peace and being a war monger."
"I WAS PROUD OF KAAN'S SALE TO INDONESIA"
Ali Babacan responded to journalist Hakan Çelik's question about the defense industry agreement with Indonesia, saying, "I was proud. I mean, 40 aircraft have come, Indonesia has signed. The same goes for HÜRJET. Spain has come and signed. 'I will buy it,' they say. These were things that were unimaginable for Turkey 20 years ago," he replied.
Criticizing the attitude of allies towards Turkey, which has reached this point in the defense industry, Babacan emphasized that they should not be too upset, continuing: "It is not befitting of an alliance. It does not conform to the spirit of alliance. Are we allies or not? They should make a decision... I mean, there cannot be an ambiguous relationship. Hopefully, it will improve, hopefully, it will improve. This also depends on Turkey being a predictable country. Turkey should not zigzag. I mean, Turkey should not be perceived as a threat by any country out of the blue."
"WOULD YOU GO IF YOU RECEIVED AN INVITATION FROM BAYKAR?"
Ali Babacan answered journalist Çelik's question about whether he would visit institutions like TUSAŞ, ASELSAN, and BAYKAR if invited, saying: "All the institutions you mentioned are our national pride. We are truly proud of all of them, and we want the number of these institutions to increase even more. We desire for these institutions to be world leaders in both technology and efficiency. If an invitation comes from these institutions, of course, I would go; no matter which one it is, I occasionally visit them. Recently, I visited a factory producing small jet engines in Ankara."
"TURKEY IS A REGIONAL POWER WITH GREAT POTENTIAL"
Ali Babacan stated that Turkey has great potential as a regional power due to its population, land size, and strategic location. Babacan made the following statements regarding Turkey's potential: "As someone who has seen more than a hundred countries, Turkey is actually the most beautiful country in the world and has a truly enormous potential for the future due to its strategic location. And actually, Turkey demonstrates this potential with many numbers and data. For example, very few people know this. Turkey is the third country in the world in terms of the number of foreign missions, that is, the number of embassies and consulates, after the USA and China. I mean, like the USA and China, in 10 years, 20 years from now, it will be a country right behind the two major rivals in the world.
We see that Turkish Airlines is the airline that flies to the most countries in the world. Our number of embassies in Africa is currently 43. That is, we have embassies in 43 out of 53 countries. When I was Minister of Foreign Affairs, we had 12 embassies; we quietly planned and prepared to increase from 12 embassies to 43 embassies. We quietly talked with Turkish Airlines, we talked with TİKA, and we started to work in Africa in an integrated manner. And today, Africa has become one of Turkey's largest trading partners. Turkey is a country that has land in both Asia and Europe and can easily reach Africa. Turkey is both a Black Sea country, a Mediterranean country, and a Caspian Sea basin country. Turkey is both a Balkan country, a Caucasian country, and a Middle Eastern country. I mean, there is no other country in the world that brings together these common points and is the intersection of all these clusters. That is why we have great potential. This needs to be well understood."
"I HAVE BEEN TO DEFENSE FAIRS SINCE MY STUDENT DAYS"
It was revealed in journalist Hakan Çelik's program that Ali Babacan has been interested in the defense industry since his student years.
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Babacan, who said he went to the IDEF Fair every year while he was a student in Ankara, also mentioned that he did part of his university internship at ASELSAN: "Defense industry fair. F-16s were produced at TAI since the era of the late Özal. When I was a student, I went to TAI, toured the factory. I watched the test flights of the F-16s coming off that production line. But these were in the 1980s and 90s, you see. And I was proud at that time. We were producing F-16s in Ankara, you see. Almost 35 years have passed since then. Now, 35 years later, we are still discussing whether to buy 'F-16s from America, whether they gave them or not. Whether they gave us the engine or not.' I really feel sad. Turkey should not be in this situation."
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