Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

Hisarcıklıoğlu, along with National Defense Minister Hulusi Akar, attended the Turkish Defense Industry Council meeting held in Eskisehir Aerospace Factory. In his speech, TOBB President reported that the defense industry external dependency ratio, which was 80% in 2002, has decreased to 35%, and the Turkish Aerospace and Defense Industry turnover has increased to 7 billion USD.

Stating that 4 Turkish companies have entered the list of the biggest defense companies in the world, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “We have also progressed in global competition. Defense industry sector exports have exceeded 2 billion USD in 2018. We have participated in giant international projects such as F-35 and A-400. Like Antonov, we have come to the point of exporting UAVs to Ukraine, which produces the world's largest aircraft. I am proud of the Ministry of Defense, the Defense Industry Presidency, our General Staff and our companies who are the architects of all these successes. Neither the private sector without public support nor the public sector, without the perseverance and hard work of the private sector could achieve this success alone.”

- “We will not be satisfied with these achievements”

Stating that the Turkish defense industry has much more potential in the fields of production, export and technology development, M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu said that defense companies should integrate SMEs into their production processes to the maximum extent. Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “The big players of the sector and the SMEs located around them should act together. As President Erdoğan has said, ‘We will reach our goals for the defense industry with the dynamism of the private sector. The time of buying finished products is over. No product will be bought wholesale from abroad.’ This has created a new enthusiasm and enthusiasm for Turkish companies to strive harder. Our goal is for Turkish companies to become global player with advanced technology, unique design and production. I believe that we will achieve these goals. Let’s work hand in hand; let's work together with unity of goals and ideas.”

- Domestic and national production gained momentum

Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that Hulusi Akar, the Minister of National Defense had previously met with the sector council at the Kırıkkale Ammunition Factory, and said “We had conveyed the demands of the sector to our Minister in Kırıkkale. The Minister gave the necessary instructions immediately after the meeting and our problems were resolved. STANAGs (standardization agreements) started to be published on our Ministry's website. Studies on localization and nationalization were initiated. Facility security certificate and production permits were facilitated. Products that do not require a production permit have been removed from the subject to control list. I would like to express our gratitude to Minister Akar for his executive management understanding that solves the problems of our sector.”

Stating that, with the principles of Minister Akar, 12 companies have signed a Strategic Cooperation Agreement, Hisarcıklıoğlu pointed out that new momentum has been gained for domestic and national production. The TOBB President said, “Our ancestors spoke about this centuries ago: Be ready for war if you desire peace. The liberation of nations are enshrined in these words. Today, the conditions of our region have made it not only necessary to be prepared for conflict, but also to preemptively eliminate threats at their inception. The new security manifesto of our country is no longer limited to patience until the knife is at our throat. Destruction of the threat at their origin means not waiting for them to attack us. This is because in such a tumultuous region, only the strong can live. The Turkish armed forces are the single most deterrent force this region.”

- Minister of National Defense Hulusi Akar

National Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said, “The most important issue that we will face next is that when the ownership of the F35s are transferred to us, the maintenance of over 100 of these fighters will be conducted at the 1st Air Maintenance Directorate. Work is underway to this end. Great success has been achieved so far in many of our factories. Even greater success will be achieved. We will address our shortcomings, fix our errors; we will be open to consultation, discussion and suggestions. We must make realistic progress towards our mid- and long-term goals based on grounded plans.”

- "Export should be considered in the production of goods and services"

Akar drew attention to the need for high-tech production in the defense industry. Akar, stating that the defense industry should utilize its current potential, said, “Especially if the defense industry only plans to meet domestic demands, will eventually stagnate. The defense industry should be built for high technology. There is great demand abroad. There are countries that have this need, our friends, our allies, our brothers and sisters. These have serious expectations and demands. We must take note of this and organize accordingly.”