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Türkiye will make no compromises regarding its defense industry, Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz said Thursday, emphasizing that national strength is essential for survival in an increasingly unstable world.
Speaking at Parliament, Yilmaz said the country will continue to prioritize and strengthen its defense industry.
Yilmaz stressed that Türkiye must be a deterrent force and further develop its defense capabilities in a world where NATO members have committed to investing 5% of their gross domestic product (GDP) annually in core defense requirements and the European Union has launched its Security Action for Europe (SAFE) program.
He said Türkiye has always been a nation that prioritizes diplomacy and peace. “A concrete example of this is that it is a country that has prioritized diplomacy and peace on many issues, from Gaza to Karabakh, from Ukraine to Somalia and Ethiopia,” he said.
“But we have also learned this: no matter how right you are, if you are not strong, you cannot live in this world relying on the mercy of others,” he added. “We saw this in Gaza. We will be both strong and right. We must do both, and as the Republic of Türkiye, we will do so.”
Addressing economic developments, Yilmaz said September inflation exceeded expectations, creating a more cautious outlook for the year-end forecast.
He noted that October inflation data will allow for a more accurate projection, expected to be slightly below or above 30%. “September was an unusual month. Therefore, I am among those who believe that things will return to normal in October,” he said.
Yilmaz recalled that inflation was around 65% in 2023 and fell to 44% in 2024. “This year, our program target is to see it below 30%. Next year, below 20%, and the following year, single digits. This is our roadmap,” he added.
Years of investment have transformed Türkiye from a nation heavily reliant on foreign equipment to one that meets nearly all its defense needs through homegrown systems.
Ankara has long voiced frustration over its Western allies’ failure to provide adequate defense despite being a NATO member. Over the last 20 years, Türkiye has developed a wide range of domestic air, land, and naval platforms, reducing its foreign dependency on defense from around 80 percent in the early 2000s to below 20 percent today.
The success of its defense platforms, particularly combat drones, has enabled Türkiye to secure billions of dollars in export deals. More than 3,500 firms now operate in the defense industry, employing about 100,000 skilled workers.
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