THE PANDEMIC PROCESS REAFFIRMED THE NECESSITIES IN THE DEFENSE AND AEROSPACE SECTORS

TRecent achievements in Turkey’s defense and aerospace sector are clearly reflected both in statistical data and on the ground. In this context, it is crucial to emphasize the vital importance of the support provided by decision-makers, the Presidency of Defense Industries, and especially the Ministry of Industry and Technology.

The ability of companies in the Turkish defense sector to design and produce products and services not only nationally but also internationally will undoubtedly contribute to our country’s development. Achieving this requires, above all, that companies have the patience for R&D and allocate resources not only for seeking skilled personnel but also for training them. However, it is unacceptable for domestic companies in the defense and aerospace sector to misuse public support to develop an easy-going attitude, distancing themselves from competition in foreign markets and turning the domestic market into a comfort zone. Moreover, under current conditions, relying on the purchase and sale of foreign-origin technology is insufficient for our country to strengthen its historical role and position and achieve its development goals.

In the defense and aerospace ecosystem, which consists of public institutions, public economic enterprises, and private companies, it is fundamental for both the public and private sectors to fulfill their roles appropriately to safeguard our economic and national security.

Within the framework of global division of labor, it is neither possible nor reasonable to meet all our needs from local sources. However, the initial months of the pandemic, particularly with the virtual collapse of the global supply chain, have made it an undeniable reality that local design and production are crucial. This necessity is not unique to the defense and aerospace sector. It has also been evident in many critical sectors, including communications and health.

When faced with mass problems, even seemingly robust organizations ignored each other’s issues. For example, the European Union, as a large organization, and many large foreign companies that have been moving towards monopolization internationally can be considered in this context.

Before the pandemic, we assessed local production in the defense, aerospace, and communications sectors in terms of becoming resilient to open and covert embargoes and ensuring data security. COVID-19 confirmed our concerns, but our risk assessment remains incomplete. During the pandemic, our domestic producers faced the “opportunistic” behaviors of large international suppliers. International large suppliers, who frequently claimed to be “global” rather than “local” before the pandemic, prioritized the needs of their home countries after COVID-19 impacted national and global economies, forcing us to accept their products at exorbitant prices and with various delays.

As the pandemic has reaffirmed, we must urgently acquire the capacity to be as self-sufficient as possible in strategic technologies to protect the defense and aerospace sector, and ultimately, our economic and national security.