Dependency in strategic areas on other countries 'threatens sovereignty'

By Gokhan Ergocun

ISTANBUL (AA) - Dependency in strategic areas on foreign countries can threaten the sovereignty of a nation, the head of a Turkish association of industrialist companies warned on Tuesday.

A country lacking in its own technology would be unable to protect its territory, let alone that of its allies, said Haluk Bayraktar, head of the Istanbul Defence, Aviation, and Space Clustering Association (SAHA), at the opening ceremony of the SAHA Expo technology and aviation event. The four-day expo, starting on Tuesday, was organized by SAHA at the Istanbul Expo Center.

Underlining the necessity of Türkiye's National Technology Move initiative, Bayraktar noted that the country was among the top 20 defense spenders in the world.

Still, Türkiye needs to undergo a significant process to become more independent technologically, added Bayraktar, who is also the CEO of leading Turkish defense industry firm Baykar.

In the face of ongoing injustice in the world, humanity needs to band together, Bayraktar said, adding that all nations must stand together against Russia's war on Ukraine, which has made life more difficult globally.

- Türkiye's develops technology 'not to scare, but to deter'

Also attending the event, Turkish Industry and Technology Minister Mustafa Varank said that in the current century of wars, pandemics, and crises, the most important factor determining the fate of countries was the deterrence they possessed.

"I'm sure that our guests from all over the world can clearly see the development of Türkiye," Varank said, adding that the defense sector had achieved the lion's share in this development.

He underscored that the Turkish defense industry has been gradually widening its product range and performance, most recently introducing the Tayfun ballistic missile.

"Nobody should worry, Türkiye has no eye on the land of other people. We produce technology not to attack, but to defend, not to scare, but to deter.

"We will not remain a spectator to even the smallest threat against Türkiye. Anyone who thinks otherwise should visit the SAHA Expo and realize how wrong they are," he asserted.

- Türkiye capable of protecting borders, cyberspace

The world is undergoing military, technological, economic, and other forms of change, Turkish National Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said at the expo in a separate address.

While all countries are spending more on border protection and cybersecurity, Türkiye has expanded its influence in the world with its defense industry and international relations, he said.

Akar also stressed that Ankara expects its neighbors to "respect our sovereign rights and international law."

"In this context, despite all the provocative actions and discourses, Türkiye takes care to keep the ways of dialogue with our neighbor Greece open and we always extend our hand of peace to Greece for the stability of our region," he added.

The defense chief noted that while Türkiye has been proposing peaceful means to solve disputes, certain Greek political figures have invented a discourse on so-called "neo-Ottomanism" to hide their own dreams of expansion under "Megali Idea."

This discourse accuses Türkiye of expansionism, but the real expansionist is Greece itself, which has constantly provoked Türkiye since its foundation, the minister asserted.

Türkiye remains capable of protecting its rights, as it has in history, Akar said, stressing that if Greece could see Türkiye as an ally rather than an enemy, this would be beneficial for both countries, as well as the region and NATO.

Ismail Demir, the head of Türkiye's Defense Industries' Presidency, said the number of defense companies, which were around 60 in 2002, currently exceed 1,600.

The size of the Turkish defense industry has reached $70 billion and the country's defense exports are expected to total $4 billion this year, he added, underlining that Türkiye is not only meeting its own defense needs but also providing defense products for its friends and allies.