22.04.2026 23:43
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte spoke during his visit to ASELSAN as part of his contacts in Ankara. Noting that the average age of employees is 33, Rutte praised ASELSAN's young engineers, saying, "Governments and companies must invest in education and professional development to make all this possible, and you are a shining example of how young people contribute to our collective security."
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte spoke during his visit to ASELSAN as part of his contacts in Ankara.
“WE CAN LEARN A LOT FROM WHAT TURKEY HAS DONE”
Pointing out the importance of accelerating production in the defense industry while also promoting innovation, Rutte said, "This is one of NATO's top priorities. It will also be one of the main agenda items at the NATO summit to be held in Ankara in July."
Emphasizing the importance of production in the defense industry, Rutte stated, "Because we must do better and more. We can learn a lot from what Turkey has done in this regard. This is needed because we live in a dangerous world."
Stating that robust defense systems are needed for security, Rutte said: "We need the best capabilities, we must integrate the latest technologies into our work. That is why we need the most creative and innovative minds. That's why I am very happy that you are here and that you, as young people, have chosen to work in the defense industry. Everything you do here helps ensure Turkey's security, while also protecting the security of countries that see Turkey as an extremely valuable ally."
"TURKEY HAS EXPERIENCED A DEFENSE INDUSTRY REVOLUTION"
The NATO Secretary General noted, "Turkey has experienced a defense industry revolution," highlighting that ASELSAN is at the forefront of this revolution.
Drawing attention to the importance of sustaining this effort and producing more and faster, Rutte made the assessment that they face "great dangers" regarding Russia, China, and Iran.
Reminding that NATO successfully intercepted ballistic munitions fired from Iran and entering Turkish airspace, Rutte said, "NATO is prepared for such threats and will always do what is necessary to defend Turkey and all its allies."
Saying that ensuring the security of 1 billion people in Europe and North America is not only the task of NATO and allied armies, the NATO Secretary General stated, "The industry also has a responsibility in this regard. Our political leaders in NATO have committed to increasing defense spending, and more resources are now truly being allocated to the defense sector, which is a great development."
HE PRAISED ASELSAN'S YOUNG ENGINEERS
The NATO Secretary General, recalling ASELSAN's activities with Poland, Albania, Romania, and Croatia, said, "That's why I am happy to address you, the young engineers who make all this possible."
Pointing out that all companies must take steps to include young people, Rutte noted: "Therefore, governments and companies must invest in education and professional development to make all this possible, and you are a shining example of how young people contribute to our collective security. Transatlantic industrial enterprises provide great benefits for your economy and, above all, for your common security, and thus for all of us. This is a successful way forward and a core priority of the Ankara Summit (NATO Summit)."
Rutte stated that "groundbreaking" technologies are being developed at ASELSAN and continued: "I see this as a defense industry hub across Turkey. You realize many of these capabilities in this way, and that is what we need. We also need a defense industry across Europe and North America, literally stretching from Alaska to Ankara. We must continue to produce together, innovate together, and procure from each other."