The Presidency of the Republic of Türkiye’s Directorate of Communications launched the Turkish Defense Industry International Media Program, held across Ankara and Istanbul, aiming to present Türkiye’s defense industry vision—its past, present, and future—to an international audience. The program brings together 33 defense editors and correspondents from 23 countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Japan, Qatar, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia. Its primary goal is to communicate Türkiye’s “Century of Türkiye” vision through first-hand experiences and field visits within the country’s defense ecosystem.

On the program’s first day, participants visited ASELSAN, FNSS, and TUSAŞ (Turkish Aerospace Industries) in Ankara. ASELSAN General Manager Ahmet Akyol introduced the recently unveiled “Çelik Kubbe” (Steel Dome) defense system, emphasizing that it represents not just a product, but a holistic approach to layered national air defense. At FNSS, guests toured production facilities, observed armored vehicle test drives, and learned about the company’s export achievements and global partnerships. The visit to TUSAŞ included presentations on Türkiye’s domestically designed and produced aerial systems, as well as guided tours of the Satellite Test Center, UAV Hangar, Helicopter Production Facility, and the next-generation National Combat Aircraft, KAAN.

On the second day, the Directorate hosted a panel titled “From Roots to Horizons: The Rise of the Turkish Defense Industry”, featuring an opening speech by Defense Industry Agency (SSB) President Haluk Görgün. Discussions focused on Türkiye’s transformation into a nation capable of achieving technological independence, strategic deterrence, and economic resilience through indigenous defense production. Following the panel, international journalists are scheduled to visit ROKETSAN and attend TEKNOFEST Mavi Vatan in Istanbul, where Türkiye’s defense innovation will be showcased in a public technology festival setting.

Through these visits and exchanges, the program seeks to strengthen global understanding of Türkiye’s defense sector as a transparent, innovative, and peace-oriented force, highlighting its contributions to global security through locally developed and nationally produced technologies. By fostering dialogue between institutions, industry, and the media, Türkiye aims to deepen its international partnerships and demonstrate the growing influence of its defense ecosystem on a global scale.