President Erdoğan's inspiring words: The rate has exceeded 80%, we are writing a legend.

22.07.2025 14:50

President Erdoğan, who attended the 17th International Defense Industry Fair held at the Istanbul Expo Center, emphasized the importance of domestic production in the defense industry, stating, "The local production rate of our defense industry has exceeded 80%. With a turnover exceeding 20 billion dollars, our defense industry is practically writing a saga."

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Today, an important fair is taking place in Istanbul. The 17th International Defense Industry Fair (IDEF 2025), hosted by the Ministry of National Defense, supported by the Presidency of Defense Industries, managed and overseen by the Turkish Armed Forces Foundation, and organized by KFA Fuarcılık AŞ, is being held at the Istanbul Fair Center (IFM).

DOMESTIC MILITARY VEHICLES IMPRESSED

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan also attended this fair, which showcases Turkey's military strength. Before Erdoğan's speech, military vehicles demonstrating investments in the Turkish defense industry were exhibited in the area.

In a speech at the ceremony, Erdoğan emphasized the importance of domestic production in the defense industry, stating, "The local production rate of our defense industry has exceeded 80%. With a turnover exceeding 20 billion dollars, our defense industry is practically writing an epic. We are meeting all our needs with our own resources."

Highlights from Erdoğan's statements:

"Dear guests, I greet you with my heartfelt feelings. I am very pleased to be with you at the opening of IDEF 2025. I welcome our guests from different countries of the world to our Istanbul. This year, ministers from 33 countries and over 120 deputy ministers, chiefs of general staff, and heads of delegations such as force commanders will participate in the event. At IDEF 2025, where participants from 44 countries have opened stands, over 400 international companies will also showcase their products. In the land vehicles section of the fair, main battle tanks, armored combat vehicles, electronic warfare systems, rockets and guided missiles, tactical ballistic missiles, air defense missiles, and unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) are included.

"WE ARE PROUD AND HONORED"

I congratulate our institutions, especially our Ministry of National Defense. I thank our companies that showcase defense products with advanced technology. We are witnessing the independence march of a nation here. We are proud and honored that the interest in our fair increases every year. We are hosting 937 delegation members representing 99 countries and 219 delegations. Nearly 1000 domestic and over 400 foreign companies will showcase the products they have developed in security fields for 6 days. I want you to know that we do not see the products here as a market for promotion and sales. The issue is to establish long-term partnerships. As Turkey, we are ready for this and open to multifaceted collaborations. I wish success to all our companies participating in IDEF. I hope that IDEF 2025 will contribute to the relationships between the sector and companies and strengthen our friendship and brotherhood.

"WE ARE SURROUNDED BY A CIRCLE OF FIRE"

We are going through a process where power balances are being redefined and global centers of gravity are shifting. Every day we wake up to a new crisis. No one knows what will happen tomorrow, and no one can predict it. The rule-based international system is being replaced by a new order where we will say 'whoever's power is enough for whom'. The mechanisms that should ensure justice are unable to perform their functions. Turkey, due to its position and history, is one of the countries most affected by the consequences of this new status quo. The genocide in Gaza, Israel's attacks aimed at destabilizing our geography, and the tensions that are recurring in a wide region all concern us and require us to take precautions and intervene. When we say we are surrounded by a circle of fire, we are not expressing this with rhetoric; we are stating the reality.

"ATTACKS ON SYRIA ARE OUR PROBLEM"

The plight of children who have become skin and bones from hunger is our problem. Attacks on Syria, where hopes have blossomed with the December 8 revolution, are our problem. Conflicts in the Black Sea are a source of concern for us. Wherever there is instability, it is a sensitive issue that needs to be closely monitored for our country. We are not after population or domination, and we have no intention of interfering in anyone's internal affairs. We want peace, tranquility, and solidarity in our region. While seeking this, we do not hesitate to fulfill the necessary requirements. Wherever we see oppression, we raise our voices in a certain manner. We continue to keep Israel's genocide in Gaza on the agenda of humanity. We have also increased our diplomatic contacts. Our goal is to establish a ceasefire. The entry of humanitarian aid is our priority. It is a horrific situation that even the Red Cross is not allowed to enter. Netanyahu has surpassed even Hitler. Even during the Holocaust in Europe, such horrific images from Gaza did not emerge. We cannot remain silent while babies are dying in Gaza.

"LET'S SAY ENOUGH TO THIS OPPRESSION AND BARBARITY"

In these dark days when mass deaths from hunger have begun in Gaza, I invite the entire international community to unite on the side of humanity. Let us all react together to this brutality. Let us say 'enough' to this oppression and barbarity. Otherwise, this stain of blood will not only stain Netanyahu's hands but also the hands of everyone who remains silent about Gaza, and if they have a conscience, their foreheads as well. As Turkey, we have been striving for a just and sustainable world order on every platform from the very beginning. We are seeking every step to prevent further tragedies.

"A BAD NEIGHBOR MAKES A MAN A PROPERTY OWNER"

Another principle of ours is this: 'Be ready for battle if you wish for peace'. If you want to live with honor and dignity, you must strengthen your defense industry.

The way to this is through the domestic and national defense industry. We have experienced the consequences of being dependent on others many times. In the Cyprus events, we did not receive sufficient support from friends and allies during the fight against terrorism in the 90s. After the 1974 operation in Cyprus, embargoes peaked, and planes sent for maintenance were detained. Even the most basic communication tools like radios were not provided to our country for a while. We saw the betrayal of promises again during the tension with Assad. Air defense systems were dismantled and taken from our country. Similar practices continued from Libya to the end of the occupation in Karabakh. A bad neighbor makes a man a property owner. Our friends and allies made us property owners as well. Every embargo opened a new door for us, and we managed to enter through these doors.

"WE HAVE SERIOUSLY OVERCOME OUR DEPENDENCY ON OTHERS"

We have made significant progress in this area with our own resources. Based on this background, while pursuing humanitarian and proactive policies, we accelerated our defense security investments. We have seriously overcome our dependency on others, which was once our main problem. The local rate of our defense industry has exceeded 80%. With a turnover exceeding 20 billion dollars, our defense industry is practically writing an epic. We meet all our needs with our own resources. The concept of our UAVs is making a great impact. Similarly, Turkey is one of the 10 countries in the world that designs and develops its own warships.

"WE ARE PROUD OF THE TURKISH DEFENSE SECTOR"

Today, Turkey has become the 11th largest defense exporter. Our vehicles are being followed and demanded with admiration. In 2024, our defense and aerospace exports reached 7 billion 154 million dollars with a 29% increase. Our exports in June 2025 increased by 10.4% compared to the previous year, reaching 623 million dollars. In the near future, we will further increase our competitiveness. One of our biggest advantages as a country is our qualified and dynamic human resources. We have a trained workforce that will advance our technological leap in every field. I congratulate our institutions, companies, and brothers who have a share in all these successes. We are proud of the Turkish defense sector. We sincerely believe that we will be at a much better level in the future. We are making determined strides on the path to a fully independent Turkey. We will strive to build a Turkey that instills confidence in friends and fear in enemies with our defense and security investments."