Turkey’s defense industry has reached a new stage in its long-term transformation, marked by growing confidence and capability. Turkish Aerospace Industries (TUSAŞ) General Manager Mehmet Demiroğlu described this transformation as a “journey,” emphasizing the profound shift in mindset that has taken place over the decades.

Speaking at the Defense Industry Talent Management Summit organized by the Presidency of Defence Industries through the Defense Industry Academy, Demiroğlu underlined that the dominant perception of the 1970s and 1980s—“we cannot do it”—was gradually replaced in the 2000s by a strong sense of necessity and determination, evolving into today’s firm belief: “we can do it.”

Demiroğlu noted that as of the 100th anniversary of the Republic of Türkiye, doubts about technical capability have largely disappeared. According to him, the key questions facing the sector are no longer about feasibility, but about scale, timing, cost efficiency, and export competitiveness. “The real challenge now is how many systems can be produced, how quickly they can be delivered, and whether they can be manufactured at a cost and quality level that meets global competition,” he said.

He also stressed that the defense industry has entered a new phase centered on mass production and economic sustainability. Comparing the process to “repairing an engine while it is running,” Demiroğlu highlighted the difficulty of building a robust ecosystem without disrupting ongoing projects, while maintaining the same quality and speed from the first product to the thousandth.

Emphasizing that human capital is the cornerstone of success, Demiroğlu pointed out that investing in people goes beyond establishing educational institutions. He advocated for a systematic approach that allows young engineers to take part in decision-making processes from an early stage. Concluding his remarks, he underlined the importance of trust-based leadership, stating that talent flourishes not under pressure, but in an environment of confidence where responsibility, authority, and tolerance for honest mistakes are equally shared.