President Erdoğan congratulates the Mehmetçik on the New Year

Minister of National Defense Yaşar Güler spoke with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan over the phone during his visit to the 14th Unmanned Aircraft Systems Base Command in Batman.

Addressing the Mehmetçik (Turkish soldiers) through Minister Güler's phone, Erdoğan celebrated the personnel's New Year, stating, "Valuable members of our Turkish Armed Forces, precious Mehmetçiks who are the apple of our nation's eye, I greet you all with my most heartfelt feelings and affection. I convey my love to you, all members of our heroic army, and your dear families."

"STRONG ARMY, STRONG TURKEY"

Stating that they are leaving 2024 behind and entering 2025 with new hopes, Erdoğan said:

"I wish for the new Gregorian year to be auspicious for our security forces who serve at the cost of their lives both at home and abroad. I wish success in their duties to all our heroes who fearlessly fight for the survival of our state and the future of our nation. We take pride in the contributions made by the brave children of our 'Prophet's Hearth' to the establishment of peace and security in our region and the world. Our army, which inspires confidence in friends and fear in enemies with its capabilities on land, at sea, and in the air, is a source of pride for our nation. With the motto 'Strong Army, Strong Turkey,' we attach great importance to increasing the deterrence of our Turkish Armed Forces in every field."

President Erdoğan stated that breakthroughs in the defense industry, where the localization rate has been increased from 20 percent to 80 percent, continue without slowing down.

"WE BECAME THE COUNTRY THAT EXPORTS THE MOST UAVS/UCAVS"

Noting that unmanned aircraft systems have a critical place in the goal of making Turkey an influential actor on a global scale, Erdoğan said, "We are now constantly moving our journey, which we started with TB-2 and ANKA, further forward with Akıncı, Aksungur, TB-3, ANKA-3, and Kızılelma. We are one of the 3-4 most advanced countries in the world in UAV and UCAV technology. Last year, we became the country that exports the most UAVs/UCAVs in the world."

Stating that UAVs and UCAVs protect not only the skies of Turkey but also those of more than 50 friendly countries, Erdoğan noted that the Batman 14th Unmanned Aircraft Systems Base Command is a symbol of the importance given to unmanned systems in the defense of the homeland.

"WE WILL REACH MUCH BETTER POSITIONS"

Emphasizing that every development in the region reminds us once again how accurate the investments in this field are, Erdoğan said:

"I hope we will reach much better positions. May God clear our path and our fortune. May God protect you from all harm, and I congratulate you on your new Gregorian year and the blessed three months. I commemorate our martyrs with mercy and our veterans with gratitude. I greet each of you with affection. Stay well."