(MENAFN- AzerNews) By News Center
President of Turkiye Recep Tayyip Erdogan attended the delivery
ceremony of the new generation of Firtina howitzer.
Stating that they are determined to make 2023 a turning point in
the defense industry together with other sectors, Erdogan said that
'2023 will be a year full of good news, with very important
developments that will make everyone proud'.
He said that they would not stop and consent to the slightest
setback until Turkiye will be independent in the defense sector and
the cooperation of private and public sectors will push Turkiye
from success to success.
Stating that they have not only written a success story in the
defense industry but have also realized a revolution mindset,
Erdogan emphasized that they have realized many critical projects,
which are described as 'impossible', 'a product of
imagination'.
“Of course, we have not come to this level at a time. Despite
numerous resistances, sabotage and betrayals, we have never turned
back from this path,” he added.
Stating that they see all the achievements of the latest 20
years as a prelude to the vision of the Century of Turkiye, Erdogan
said that“we are determined to make 2023, the 100th anniversary of
the republic, a turning point in the defense industry, along with
other sectors. 2023 will be a year full of good news, with very
important developments that will make everyone proud”.
Expressing that they were proud of the export capacity of the
country, Erdogan questioned if they know what happened to the
defense exports, which accounted for only 248m dollars 20 years
ago.
'We broke a record with 4.4bn dollars. We are among the top 3-4
countries in the world in the production of UAVs, UCAVs, and
offensive unmanned aerial vehicles. Our armed and unarmed attack
drones are treated with envy all over the world, despite the
efforts of some ignorant and technology-impaired people among
us.”
Wishing that the six new-generation Firtina howitzers delivered
will be beneficial to the nation and the army, Erdogan said that
'we will increase this number to 140 in total with new deliveries
in the coming period'.
Emphasizing that the new generation Firtina howitzers have many
advantages compared to the models currently in the inventory,
Erdogan said.
“As a result of the studies carried out, both the survivability
and firepower of our howitzers have been increased. I hope your
shots will be 100 percent accurate with the new generation Firtina
howitzers.'
Erdogan further listed new projects in the pipeline:
We will take our National Combat Aircraft out of the hangar and
show it to the whole world.
Our jet-powered trainer and light attack aircraft HURJET will
make its first flight.
Flight maneuver tests and ammunition integrations of Bayraktar
KIZILELMA, our combat unmanned fighter aircraft will be carried
out.
We are putting ANADOLU, which will be the world's first UCAV
carrier ship, into service this year.
Bayraktar TB3 UCAV, which we will deploy to the ANADOLU Ship,
will perform its first flight
Our Gendarmerie General Command will start using our unique
helicopter GOKBEY
The door of the National Combat Aircraft is open to
partnership
The National Combat Aircraft is open to partnership
Our ATAK-2 helicopter, weighing 11 tons, will make its first
flight.
With the IMECE Earth Observation Satellite, the position and
route information of ships will be collected.
We will launch the KILICHSAT Cube Satellite into space.
The maritime supply support combat ship DERYA, the first of our
I-class frigates Istanbul, and the first of our new submarines Piri
Reis will also be included in the inventory this year.
The long-range air defense and missile system SİPER (Shield)
will be put into service.
The first deliveries of BOZDOGAN in-sight and GOKDOGAN
beyond-sight missiles will be made.
GOKDENİZ close air defense system will begin to be integrated
into ships.
The turbojet engine developed for SOM and ATMACA missiles will
be delivered to users.
We will put the Simsek Target Drone in service with its
converted form into a cruise missile.
We will complete the integration of national electronic warfare
and electronic support codes to F-16s.
Eralp, an early warning radar system, will be delivered.
AESA radars will be integrated into AKINCI UACV and F-16s.
We will start the delivery of Armored Amphibious Assault Vehicle
ZAHA and domestically powered Vuran armored vehicles.
Giving good news about the Altay tank, Erdogan said:“In May, we
are delivering 2 new Altay tanks to our army and the company that
will make the power group conduct their tests. Hopefully, after
completing the tests of the new Altays, we will start mass
production together with our project partners in 2025.”
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