Ministry of National Defense (MSB) Press and Public Relations Advisor and Ministry Spokesperson, Rear Admiral Zeki Aktürk, spoke at the weekly press briefing held at the Martyr Black Pilot First Lieutenant Gürcan Ulucan Square in Ankara Temelli, within the scope of the "International Best Military Flying Team Competition".
Aktürk stated that the competition, which was organized for the first time by the Land Forces Command between 19-25 October in order to strengthen the bonds of friendship between the participating countries, develop the culture of joint work and increase cooperation opportunities for innovative technologies in the military field, is an important organization at the international level.
Stating that the Turkish Armed Forces were represented by a total of 5 teams from different forces and commands in the competition in which a total of 32 countries participated, 18 of which were competitors and 14 of which were observers, Aktürk announced that flight demonstrations will be held as well as exhibitions opened by defense industry companies tomorrow, and the final competitions and award ceremony will be held on October 24, when the Distinguished Observer Day will be held.
DEFENSE INDUSTRY
Stating that efforts to further increase the power and effectiveness of the Turkish Armed Forces continue with strategic and technological products developed domestically and nationally in every field of the defense industry, Aktürk shared the following information:
"During the week, various amounts of TAYFUN Block-2 missiles and Fırtına-2 howitzers were taken into inventory by our Land Forces Command, and our Air Forces Command is planning to complete the inspection and acceptance activities of 2 HÜRKUŞ-II aircraft and put them into the inventory.
By MKE; The delivery of various quantities and sizes of weapons and ammunition to our Land Forces Command has been completed, participation has been made in the "Future Forces Exhibition & Forum" held in Czechia between 21-23 October, and "AFRIDEX 2026" will be held in Nigeria between 26-29 October and "SOFEX 2026" will be held in Jordan between 27-29 October."
Aktürk also announced that the shootings carried out with the SİPER Air Defense Weapon System, which is in the inventory of the Air Forces Command, were successfully completed at the Sinop Firing Area on October 21, with the participation of the Chief of General Staff and the Commander of the Air Forces.
2 thousand 47 people trying to cross the borders illegally were prevented
Aktürk reported that 4 more PKK terrorists surrendered within the week, within the scope of the duties and activities carried out by the Turkish Armed Forces, who work with all their might for the defense and security of Türkiye, to establish permanent security.
Within the scope of border security activities throughout the week; 364 people who tried to cross the border illegally were caught, and 2,047 people were prevented before they could cross the border; Thus, he announced that since January 1, the number of people caught trying to cross the borders illegally has reached 14 thousand 207, and the number of people blocked has reached 56 thousand 898.
Emphasizing that the Turkish Armed Forces continue to make significant contributions to regional and global security, peace and stability within the framework of bilateral relations with the responsibilities they assume on international platforms, Aktürk noted the following regarding the approval of the Memorandum of Understanding on the Limitation of Maritime Jurisdiction Areas by the Libyan House of Representatives:
"We welcome the approval of the Memorandum of Understanding on the Delimitation of Maritime Jurisdiction Areas signed between Turkey and Libya by the Libyan House of Representatives on October 20. We thank the Libyan authorities who showed the will in taking this decision. We attach importance to this agreement, which contributes to the protection of the rights and interests of the two countries in the Eastern Mediterranean; we support the goal of a "single and integrated Libya" that brings together the east and west of Libya around a common future. Libya's unity and "We resolutely continue our efforts to preserve its integrity, establish permanent stability and strengthen regional security."
Rear Admiral Aktürk reminded that the "Bedir Memorandum of Understanding", which aims to develop military cooperation between Turkey, Qatar, Indonesia and Pakistan, was signed in Doha on October 21, and said, "We will continue our work to consolidate regional peace and security by establishing strong and sustainable partnerships with our complementary opportunities, capabilities and experiences, on the basis of mutual trust and common interests." he said.
Aktürk also stated that they once again celebrated the "18 October Independence Day" of brother Azerbaijan.
"BEDR MEMORY OF UNDERSTANDING WILL CONTRIBUTE TO STRENGTHENING REGIONAL AND GLOBAL STABILITY"
Answering the questions of members of the press after the meeting, Rear Admiral Aktürk stated that Türkiye, whose geostrategic and geopolitical importance is increasing day by day, continues to contribute to the strengthening of regional and global peace, security and stability, in line with the opportunities and capabilities it has and the diplomatic initiatives it carries out, and made the following statements:
"The approval of the agreement on the delimitation of maritime jurisdiction signed with Libya by the Libyan House of Representatives, together with the Mecca Defense Alliance and the Badr Memorandum of Understanding, is a concrete indicator of our country's effectiveness and strategic cooperation in the international arena. With the strength and inspiration it draws from our glorious history, our Turkish Armed Forces supports the development of the defense and security capacities of friendly and allied countries and contributes to our country's constructive and determined efforts towards the establishment of regional and global peace and stability."
Emphasizing that the Memorandum of Understanding signed between Turkey, Qatar, Indonesia and Pakistan in Doha on October 21 is a concrete indicator of the strong friendship and will to work together between the countries, Aktürk said the following regarding the Badr Memorandum of Understanding:
"With this agreement, it is aimed to establish long-term and sustainable strategic partnerships between our countries by implementing joint projects in the field of defense industry, increasing research and development activities, strengthening infrastructure and supply chains and developing joint production capacity. The agreement in question will contribute to strengthening regional and global peace, security and stability."
"WE WELCOME THE APPROVAL OF THE MARITIME JURISDICTIONS MEMORANDUM"
Rear Admiral Aktürk made the following statements in response to the question regarding the Memorandum of Understanding on the Limitation of Libyan Maritime Jurisdiction Areas:
"We welcome the approval of the Memorandum of Understanding on the Limitation of Maritime Jurisdiction Areas, signed between Turkey and Libya in 2019 and in force, by the Libyan House of Representatives on October 20, 2026. This decision confirms the validity of the Memorandum of Understanding signed on the basis of international law and equity principles and strengthens the strategic cooperation between the two countries. Our country will continue to resolutely continue its efforts to strengthen regional peace, security and stability."
In response to the question regarding the statements made by the representatives of the EU and Greece, Rear Admiral Aktürk made the following statements:
"The Memorandum of Understanding on the Delimitation of Maritime Jurisdiction Areas signed between Turkey and Libya in 2019 was signed on the basis of the principles of international law and equity, taking into account the legitimate rights and interests of the two countries. The delimitation of maritime jurisdiction areas is within the scope of the sovereign rights of the relevant coastal states and the legal validity of the Memorandum of Understanding in question cannot be eliminated by unilateral evaluations of third parties. Our country is committed to protecting our legitimate rights and interests in the Eastern Mediterranean within the framework of international law and strengthening regional peace, security and stability. We will continue to contribute."
