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President Recep Tayyip Erdogan unveiled ambitious military procurement goals Wednesday during the Republic Day celebrations marking the 102nd anniversary of Türkiye's founding, pledging to deliver 250 ALTAY tanks to the armed forces within the next six years.
Speaking at a special program held in the Presidential Complex's Exhibition Hall, Erdogan emphasized Türkiye's expanding defense industry capabilities as the nation commemorated the establishment of the republic on Oct. 29, 1923.
"God willing, within the next six years, we aim to deliver a total of 250 ALTAY Tanks to our army," Erdogan said during the ceremony, which brought together officials and dignitaries at the presidential compound.
The president underscored his country's progress in military self-sufficiency, noting the dramatic shift from two decades ago when Türkiye's defense sector depended heavily on foreign suppliers.
"A country whose defense industry was 80 percent dependent on external sources 20 years ago has risen to a competitive position globally today as a result of our efforts," Erdogan said. "Now we manufacture our own tanks, warships, helicopters and fighter aircraft."
Erdogan framed the Republic Day observance within the context of Türkiye's longer historical narrative, invoking the national struggle for independence that preceded the republic's founding.
"We are members of a nation that has never submitted to captivity, never consented to oppression, and has been in love with its independence throughout our thousands of years of history," Erdogan said.
The president recalled the War of Independence, referencing historical figures from the conflict and describing the republic's 1923 proclamation as "the rise of the national will" based on the principle that "sovereignty belongs to the nation unconditionally."
During his remarks, Erdogan also addressed internal security, expressing determination to eliminate terrorist threats entirely.
"We are determined to build a Türkiye with patience, determination and common sense where the terrorist threat is completely zeroed out and peace prevails at the highest level in every square meter," he said.
The president extended holiday greetings to Türkiye's 86 million citizens, the Turkish Cypriot community, members of the Turkish diaspora worldwide, and what he termed Türkiye's "geography of hearts" — a reference to historically connected communities abroad.
Erdogan paid tribute to Mustafa Kemal Ataturk and members of the Grand National Assembly who led the independence struggle, as well as soldiers who fought across various conflicts in Turkish history, from early incursions into Anatolia through the conquest of Istanbul, the 1974 Cyprus Peace Operation and the 2016 coup attempt.
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