At TEKNOFEST Blue Homeland (Mavi Vatan), hosted at the Istanbul Shipyard Command, Türkiye’s elite Underwater Attack (SAT) and Underwater Defense (SAS) commandos delivered a breathtaking live demonstration inspired by the 2011 ferry hostage rescue operation carried out against a PKK terrorist hijacking. Organized under the Türkiye Technology Team Foundation (T3 Foundation) in partnership with the Ministry of Industry and Technology and the Ministry of National Defense, and with TRT as its communication partner, the event showcased the tactical precision and professionalism of Türkiye’s naval special forces.

The demonstration was structured as a real-life rescue scenario: the SAT and SAS teams approached the vessel covertly, neutralized terrorists wearing explosives, and rescued hostages using high-speed ATAK boats. The operation concluded with the commandos raising the Turkish flag to salute the crowd, earning prolonged applause. The performance ended with the resounding message broadcast over the loudspeakers: “The naval commando fights where ordered, and wins where he fights. We achieve the difficult; the impossible just takes a little longer.”

The show provided a realistic glimpse into special operations, blending precision teamwork with advanced technology. A highlight of the event was the introduction of closed-circuit diving systems — special equipment used in covert missions that allows divers to operate underwater without releasing bubbles, maintaining stealth. Commandos demonstrated how, with these systems and compass-based navigation, they can approach a target vessel or harbor undetected and carry out high-risk missions under the surface.

The naval defense systems and commando boats displayed during the event were noted not only for their use by the Turkish Naval Forces, but also for being exported to allied and partner countries, strengthening Türkiye’s global defense cooperation.

The TEKNOFEST Blue Homeland demonstration captivated audiences of all ages, promoting awareness of Türkiye’s maritime special forces, naval technology, and national defense innovation. The event illustrated critical modern warfare capabilities such as interoperability, precision infiltration, rapid extraction, and hostage rescue, reinforcing the message that Türkiye’s “Blue Homeland” is protected by elite forces equipped with cutting-edge national technology.