Turkey establishes first defense-specific think tank

By Mustafa Calkaya and Goksel Yildirim

ANKARA (AA) - Turkey’s first think tank to focus on defense has been established in Ankara to raise public awareness about the importance of defense technology for the country’s future.

The center -- STM ThinkTech -- was established by Turkey's STM Defense Technologies.

The new center aims to provide timely and accurate analyses of leading trends in defense technology.

STM ThinkTech will "contribute significantly" to Turkey's defense industry and its security, Defense Industry Undersecretary Ismail Demir told a first panel talk in Ankara.

“Walking” in the defense industry is not enough for Turkey, Turkey has to “run,” Demir said.

“We need to complete tasks that are finished in 10 years by others, in five years....The country's defense capacity that can respond to modern needs, can be built only with strategic, economic and technological foresight,” Demir added.

Davut Yilmaz, STM's general manager, said his company established the center after examining other think tanks around the world.

It will publish reports, to organize panels that focus on the latest trends in the defense sector, Yilmaz said.

“The center will close an important gap in Turkish defense industry,” Yilmaz added.