President of the Presidency of Defence Industries (SSB), Prof. Dr. Haluk Görgün, met with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte during the IISS Prague Defence Summit held in Prague, Czech Republic. In a statement shared on social media, Görgün highlighted that the meeting focused on Turkey’s robust defense industry potential, the agile structure of the SSB, and its strong coordination capabilities within the alliance framework.

Görgün noted that Rutte once again praised the achievements of the Turkish defense industry, emphasizing its crucial role in strengthening NATO’s deterrence posture. “With over 3,500 companies and more than 100,000 employees, the Turkish defense ecosystem is a dynamic network that adds value to international partnerships,” Görgün said. He reiterated that Turkey not only fulfills its responsibilities within NATO but also contributes actively to shaping the alliance’s future through its indigenous and national capabilities.

The two leaders discussed ongoing cooperation opportunities and Turkey’s expanding role in developing advanced defense technologies aligned with NATO standards. Görgün expressed his appreciation to Rutte for consistently acknowledging Turkey’s growing industrial capabilities and its positive impact on NATO’s strategic posture.

Following the meeting, Görgün announced that he would participate in a panel titled “The Future Face of European Defence Industry,” where he would present Turkey’s contributions to Europe’s collective defense and evolving security architecture.

Rutte, who recently assumed the role of NATO Secretary General, reportedly highlighted Turkey’s position as a key defense partner within the alliance, underlining that the country’s indigenous production capacity and operational experience significantly enhance NATO’s readiness and deterrence.

Turkey’s defense industry continues to play an essential role in the alliance through its locally produced systems, agile innovation ecosystem, and export-oriented approach, making it a reliable contributor to NATO’s technological modernization and collective security efforts.