ISTANBUL 

Türkiye’s defense industry brings not only security and independence but also long-term economic growth, Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz said on Friday, citing its role in creating qualified jobs and boosting local innovation.

“It enables us to build a high-tech, high-value-added economic structure and create qualified employment. Indeed, we see this in our own defense industry,” Yilmaz said at the International Defense Industry Fair (IDEF) 2025 in Istanbul.

He said IDEF had become an international brand attracting global attention to Türkiye’s defense capabilities.

The 17th edition of the six-day event, which started Tuesday, is being held simultaneously at the Istanbul Fair Center, Ataturk Airport, Wow Hotel, and Atakoy Marina. The fair is organized by KFA Fairs with support from Türkiye’s Defense Industries Secretariat (SSB) and the Turkish Armed Forces Foundation. Anadolu is its global communications partner.

Yilmaz said the defense industry rests on three pillars — security, independence, and economic and social welfare.

He emphasized that in the past 22 years, under the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the sector had undergone a major transformation:

“Our domestic and national production, which was at 20% in the past, is now at 80%,” he said.

He noted that growing production and exports were driving increased added value and would reflect positively on social welfare.

Citing leading firms including Roketsan, Aselsan, Havelsan, TAI, Baykar and BMC, Yilmaz said: “These are also good examples for the youth who will build the Türkiye Century. We express our gratitude to all of them.”