Istanbul: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced a significant increase in the country's defense and aviation exports, which reached $7.445 billion over the past 11 months, marking a 30% rise compared to the same period last year. This announcement was made during the Commissioning of Naval Platforms Ceremony, where Erdogan highlighted Trkiye's position as the world's 11th largest defense exporter and outlined ambitions to enter the top 10 by 2028 with an export target of $11 billion.
According to Anadolu Agency, Erdogan emphasized that Trkiye's defense industry projects aim not only to develop new products but also to enhance the ecosystem and technology production capacities. He underscored Trkiye's capability as one of the few countries able to develop and launch its own warships, mentioning the construction of a 300-meter-long aircraft carrier as a testament to this ability.
Erdogan further detailed plans for projects aimed at enhancing deterrence across various domains, including land, sea, air, and cyberspace, with all stages from research to mass production relying on domestic resources. He clarified that these investments are not for war preparation but for safeguarding peace, independence, and the future of the nation.
The ceremony also highlighted Trkiye-Pakistan naval cooperation, with President Erdogan welcoming Pakistani guests and reaffirming the historical friendship between the two nations. He recalled the 2018 contract for constructing four MILGEM corvettes for the Pakistan Navy and announced the delivery of the PNS Khaibar following successful testing. The delivery of the third and fourth ships, PNS Bedir and PNS Tarik, is scheduled for June 2026 and early 2027, respectively.
Erdogan expressed his hopes for these advanced vessels to benefit the brotherly Pakistan Navy, reinforcing the strong ties between Trkiye and Pakistan.