National Defence University Rector Prof. Dr. Erhan Afyoncu participated in the panel titled “Historical Depth and Strategic Vision of the Defence Industry,” held as part of the National Technology Summit organized in cooperation with the Türkiye Technology Team Foundation and the METU TEKNOFEST Community. Moderated by Anadolu Agency Academy and Broadcasting Coordinator Yahya Bostan, the panel focused on the historical development of the defence industry, changing warfare concepts and Türkiye’s strategic vision.

Speaking at the panel, Prof. Dr. Afyoncu said that world military history has progressed through different phases. He described these stages as the era of infantry armed with swords and shields, the era shaped by horses and arrows, the period of machine warfare and the current phase of robotic warfare. Afyoncu stated that Türkiye had fallen behind during the machine warfare era but has gained a major opportunity in the age of robotic warfare.

Afyoncu emphasized that a new era of warfare began in the 2010s and that wars are now increasingly shaped by robotic systems. He pointed to unmanned aerial vehicles and unmanned naval platforms as concrete examples of this transformation. According to Afyoncu, the Turkish defence industry, with the contribution of many companies, especially Baykar, has taken a leading role in the field of robotic warfare.

He also noted that the Karabakh War was one of the first examples of a conventional war won with the effective use of armed UAVs. The use of Turkish UAVs in Libya, Karabakh and counterterrorism operations contributed to the development of a new warfare concept. This shift has shown that unmanned systems can play a decisive role not only in reconnaissance and surveillance but also in combat operations.

The panel also underlined that transformation in defence technologies is not limited to platform production. Afyoncu stressed the growing importance of qualified personnel capable of operating systems developed for the robotic warfare era. He stated that the Turkish Armed Forces are among the most experienced militaries in the world in areas such as electronic warfare, UAV operations and field execution. This highlights that advanced technology and skilled personnel must be considered together in modern warfare.

Afyoncu also made assessments regarding the global security environment. He said that the war in Ukraine has opened a new and dangerous period in world politics. Referring to the developments before the Second World War, he noted that major wars do not start suddenly but emerge after long processes. Developments around Ukraine, Gaza and Iran, he said, indicate that the world is moving through a broader period of conflict and militarization.

Addressing the institutional development of Türkiye’s defence industry, Afyoncu stated that the sector’s organized structure emerged later than it should have. He described the embargo imposed after the Cyprus Peace Operation as a major lesson for Türkiye. During that period, foundation companies such as ASELSAN were established. However, Türkiye continued to procure weapons from abroad for many years. In the 2010s, the Syrian War and counterterrorism requirements pushed Türkiye toward a stronger transformation in defence industry capabilities.

According to Afyoncu, strong political will and a domestic-national production approach played a critical role in Türkiye’s recent defence industry momentum. He emphasized that before seeking the “best” product, countries must prioritize domestic and national production. Afyoncu also noted that the development of Türkiye’s defence industry is important not only for Türkiye but also for friendly and allied countries that have faced exclusion or difficulty in meeting their own defence needs.

The panel also called for a realistic assessment of Türkiye’s rise in the defence industry. Afyoncu stated that Türkiye has made a major leap forward, but this does not mean it has instantly become a superpower. He described Türkiye as a regional power today and said the goal is to become a stronger global actor. At the end of the panel, METU Rector Prof. Dr. Ahmet Yozgatlıgil presented a plaque to Prof. Dr. Erhan Afyoncu.