Minister of National Defense Güler: Equipping our Armed Forces with superior equipment and systems is our sole goal

Minister of National Defense Yaşar Güler, emphasizing the development of the Turkish defense industry, said, "Thanks to the high will and strategic vision under the leadership of our President, our country has written a tremendous success story despite obstacles and embargoes." Minister Güler attended the Land Missile Systems Contract Signing Ceremony accompanied by Chief of General Staff General Metin Gürak, Commander of the Land Forces General Selçuk Bayraktaroğlu, and Deputy Minister Celal Sami Tüfekci.

At the ceremony hosted by President of Defense Industries Haluk Görgün, a contract was signed for the production of Tayfun, Sungur, Karaok, and Laser-Guided Artillery Rocket-230 missiles. In his speech at the signing ceremony, Minister Güler stated, "I wish the agreements we are witnessing today to be beneficial to our country and our armed forces. The missiles produced within the framework of these agreements will meet the needs of our land forces and further strengthen the operational capabilities of our army."

Minister Güler continued his speech as follows:

"Especially in the last 20 years, under the leadership of our President, our country has implemented comprehensive investments in the domestic and national defense industry with the mission of a great and powerful Turkey, and we have started to reap the results of this one by one. Many defense industry products that were dreams years ago can now be marketed, produced, and developed with our own means today. Furthermore, our domestic and national products are exported to many brotherly and friendly countries, meeting their needs as well. In this way, significant gains are also provided to our country's economy. At the same time, our defense industry has made and continues to make significant contributions to the development of our relations and the increase of our cooperation with many countries. Our defense industry ecosystem has reached a position that guides the international sector with its strong infrastructure and advanced technology. Despite all kinds of obstacles and secret and open embargoes imposed, our country has defied all difficulties and written a magnificent story with the high will and strategic vision put forward by our President. All these successes we have achieved so far are the clearest indication that we will move towards greater goals with firm steps."

"...IT IS OF VITAL IMPORTANCE TO HAVE A STRONG ARMED FORCES"

Stating that crises and conflicts are increasing all over the world, especially in Turkey's immediate geography, Minister Güler said, "This chaotic environment, risks, and dangers have become more unpredictable than ever. Therefore, in this sensitive period, it is of vital importance to have a strong armed forces to protect the rights and laws of our country. With this understanding, we are intensively continuing our efforts to make our Land Forces, which have a distinguished and respected position among their peers in the world with their glorious history of thousands of years, more modern, more effective, and stronger. As a reflection of these efforts, we are signing the procurement contracts for our 4 important missile systems. These products will provide very valuable contributions to our Land Forces, which carry out intense and comprehensive activities, especially in the fight against terrorism, both domestically and across the border. The criticality and necessity of all these systems that we add to our army's inventory every day are better understood in this process where defense and security issues are becoming more important every year. In this respect, while taking all kinds of measures proactively for the security and peace of our country and our noble nation, we also see our domestic and national defense industry as an inseparable part of our survival. In this context, it is of vital importance that our defense industry products adapt quickly to changes and innovations, be developed in an integrated manner with modern technology, that production facilities and capacities be brought to the highest level, that we have a well-equipped and sufficient number of personnel to be employed in the field of defense industry, and that the level we have reached be carried even higher with a permanent and sustainable institutionalization. Therefore, we are obliged to work harder and produce more without stopping or getting tired. I would like to express in particular that we do not have a single day to lose or waste."

Touching upon the fact that the systems of the Turkish Armed Forces will continue to develop day by day in line with the goals of the Century of Turkey, Minister Güler noted, "In the second century of our Republic and in line with our Century of Turkey goals, our sole goal is to equip our armed forces with superior equipment and systems and to expand the influence and market share of our defense industry across the world. I would like to express my gratitude to the distinguished and valuable personnel of our Presidency of Defense Industries and Roketsan, who contributed to all stages of the missiles for which we signed contracts today, from their production to their development."

News Source: İHA