07.04.2026 16:33
President Erdoğan, commenting on the clash in front of the Israeli Consulate located in Beşiktaş, Istanbul, stated, "I want it to be known that we condemn the treacherous attack that was thwarted by the successful intervention of our heroic security forces."
During the opening of the ROKETSAN Production Facilities, Serial Production Deliveries, and Groundbreaking Ceremony, President Erdoğan also addressed the armed conflict in front of the Israeli Consulate in Istanbul.
"I CONDEMN THE COWARDLY ATTACK"
In his statement regarding the issue, Erdoğan said, "First of all, I want it to be known that we condemn the cowardly attack that took place today around noon in Beşiktaş, Istanbul, which was thwarted by the successful intervention of our heroic security forces. In the heinous terrorist act, 3 terrorists were neutralized, one dead and two injured, and during the intervention, 2 of our heroic police officers were slightly injured. Both our Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office and our security and intelligence units have swiftly initiated the necessary investigations regarding the attack," he stated.
"AGAINST ALL FORMS OF TERROR..."
Continuing his remarks with a message of determination in the fight against terrorism, Erdoğan said, "I wish a speedy recovery to our injured police officers, and I extend my condolences to the Istanbul Police and the people of Istanbul. We will continue our struggle against all forms of terrorism with determination, and we will not allow the security climate of Turkey to be harmed by cowardly and timed provocations like today," he said.
Highlights from Erdoğan's statements;
"We are a nation that lives with its martyrs and believes that they live on. I commemorate our martyrs who sacrificed their lives so that our flag may wave with honor and our nation may be free. I express my gratitude to all our veterans on behalf of myself and my nation. I sincerely thank all the engineers, academics, and workers who have brought the sector to these days. I congratulate our Presidency of Defense Industries and wish them continued success.
In defense, we are leaving behind an important threshold on the road to a fully independent Turkey. We will further strengthen air defense in these systems that constitute the striking power of the steel dome. With this new infrastructure, we will elevate the deterrence of our army to higher levels. Today's investments constitute a critical milestone.
"WE FACED RESTRICTIONS BUT..."
I wholeheartedly congratulate every brother who contributed to these works that open new horizons for the sector, and I convey my thanks to the ROKETSAN family. We are living in an era where digitalization and artificial intelligence-based algorithms are reshaping the defense industry from scratch. We are witnessing this very closely in the crisis and war environments around us. We are in an age where air, land, and sea dominance are intertwined. We are one of the founding actors of this new order where rules and processes are being reshaped. We do not have a problem adapting to this system where trench warfare has been replaced by cyber warfare. We are also determining the course of events. With the platforms we have developed over 23 years, along with our human resources and capacity, we have become a country that sets norms in this field. Turkey is a country that protects its own skies and develops its own ammunition. We can do these with our own resources. We take rightful pride in being pointed out in the world. If something happens to us today, we trust in the strength of our own hands. Our rivals and adversaries know this well. We did not reach these proud levels easily. We were tested, left halfway, and subjected to unjust restrictions, but we did not bow to them.
"WE HAVE SHOULDERS FATIH'S LEGACY"
While we were conducting missile tests in Sinop, the CHP chairman was saying that fish were fleeing their nests due to the sounds of missiles. His predecessor, whom he sent off with crocodile tears, was saying that there was no need for this, who would attack us? We followed the path of Nuri Demirağ. We upheld the legacy of our brother Özdemir Bayraktar. We have shouldered the legacy of Sultan Fatih, who opened and closed an era. We reduced the rate of dependency in defense from 80% to 20%. We increased our defense exports to over 10 billion dollars last year.
"WE WILL SIGN A GREAT RESURGENCE"
We will enter the top 10 in the defense industry worldwide. After the war in our immediate vicinity ends, we will sign a great resurgence in every field. Inshallah, we will achieve this great leap together. ROKETSAN, representing Turkey's strategic mind, is fulfilling an important mission. It is making significant contributions to our country's technological development. As Turkey, we continue our work resolutely in line with our independent goal in space. We are making strong strides in a wide area. I thank ROKETSAN on behalf of myself and my nation for their contributions to the sector."