TEI General Manager and CEO Mahmut Akşit stated at an event in Denizli that leading Turkish defense organizations including ASELSAN, ROKETSAN, HAVELSAN, and TEI have banned access to their campuses for foreign electric vehicles. Akşit emphasized that the primary reason for this decision is the necessity to evaluate cameras, sensors, and software used in autonomous and electric vehicles from a security perspective.

TEI operates as a subsidiary of Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) and plays a critical role in engine production for domestic defense platforms, including the fifth-generation fighter aircraft KAAN. The company serves as a cornerstone of Turkey's defense industry ecosystem, taking a leading role in the development and localization of national defense technologies. TAI and its affiliated entities are instrumental in advancing Turkey's indigenous defense capabilities.

Akşit explained that the danger posed by foreign electric vehicles lies in their extensive sensor, camera, and equipment installations, with control of these systems remaining outside Turkish hands. When vehicle software and control systems are managed by foreign companies, there exists a risk of these systems being exploited for unintended purposes. Conversely, domestically manufactured vehicles, where software and system control remain entirely under Turkish organizational management, are permitted campus access. The distinction reflects a strategic approach to protecting sensitive infrastructure.

Cybersecurity and physical security at defense industry facilities are evaluated at the highest level within critical infrastructure protection frameworks. Software control mechanisms in electric and autonomous vehicles can be utilized for mapping, data collection, and potential intelligence operations. Turkish defense organizations have adopted a proactive approach in response to these risks, prioritizing the protection of sensitive information and infrastructure within their campuses. Akşit noted that while his remarks reflect a personal assessment, there is a necessity to raise public awareness regarding potential risks that may emerge as society benefits from opportunities offered by digital technologies.

On a global scale, similar security measures are implemented across the defense sector. NATO member states and other defense-advanced nations restrict foreign technology use in critical facilities and prefer domestic solutions. Turkey's decision represents a strategic move to strengthen the independence and cybersecurity of its defense industry ecosystem. The development of indigenous electric vehicle technology is becoming a long-term objective for Turkish defense industry advancement.