Minister of Industry and Technology Mehmet Fatih Kacır, in his speech at the "Turkey Internships Vision Talks" held by the Presidency for Turks Abroad and Related Communities (YTB), said that the wind of globalization no longer blows as it used to and free trade rules do not work as they used to.
Pointing out the importance of each country being able to meet its own needs and having a strong level of self-sufficiency in such a period, Kacır said, "Turkey has been prepared in the strongest way for such an environment under the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan since the 2000s. A tremendous infrastructure and ecosystem has been built in order for Türkiye to realize the National Technology Move and become a country that can develop and produce critical technologies with its own means and capabilities and present them to the world competitively." he said.
Kacır stated that while Türkiye spent only 1.2 billion dollars in R&D annually 20 years ago, it currently carries out R&D activities of more than 20 billion dollars annually.
Explaining that Türkiye has over 310 thousand R&D human resources today, Kacır emphasized that the country has acquired a strong human capital.
"THE FORCE TO CARRY TURKEY TO THE CENTURY"
Kacır underlined that 20 years ago, 56 companies carried out R&D and innovation in 2 technoparks, and today, more than 13 thousand enterprises in Türkiye's 115 technoparks produce added value with R&D and innovation, and said:
"While it was a country with only 414 patent applications per year in those years, now it has more than 11 thousand patent applications per year, while it was only exporting 240 million dollars of defense industry in those years, it now has an annual defense industry export of over 11 billion dollars. It has now become a country that has many institutions and companies among the largest defense industry companies in the world, and is not only able to meet its own needs, but also to meet the needs of its friends, allies and brothers, and can develop and produce systems that improve warfare paradigms with the gains it has achieved in the defense industry in the world. "In today's stormy period, this force has become the force that will hopefully carry the Turkish nation to its goals, the Red Apple, and the Turkish Century in its historical march."
Kacır said that during this period, they strengthened ties with citizens from all over the world, who migrated to those countries on different occasions but did not break their ties with their country and nation.
Stating that YTB has implemented very important programs and projects in order to strengthen the relations of young people who have migrated to all over the world with Türkiye, Kacır continued his speech as follows:
"You got to know Türkiye's proud institutions closely in the internship program you participated in. You saw the world's most advanced radar systems, air defense systems, electro-optical systems at ASELSAN. You observed aviation platforms, planes, helicopters, unmanned aerial vehicles equipped with the most advanced technologies at Turkish Aerospace Industry. You saw the newest missile systems, cruise and ballistic missiles at ROKETSAN. The world's most advanced simulation systems at HAVELSAN." You have seen all the elements of the National Frigate at STM. I believe that you have seen not only these systems and technologies in these institutions where you participated in the internship program, but also a belief and spirit that you cannot see anywhere else in the world. This excitement we feel to carry the Turkish Century goals, which we believe you will embrace, to the Turkish nation, the most honorable nation in history, will continue to increase and you will have this excitement, faith, belief and this in your next career, whether you are in Türkiye or in any corner of the world. "You will embrace enthusiasm in the strongest way. I see this belief in your eyes."
Kacır stated that young people experienced closely how far they have come in the National Technology Move, through their internship.
"WE WILL PUT OUR SEAL ON THE SKY"
Kacır pointed out that young people have the opportunity to see what the country's scientists, researchers, engineers and technicians can achieve, and how Türkiye has achieved work that will give confidence to its friends and worry to its enemies, and continued his words as follows:
"We still have a lot of work to do. We have achieved great success so far. The Turkish Century is really starting now. Together, we will carry the Turkish nation to further goals than today. We will extend the range of our missiles and increase their speed. We will put our mark on the sky with our Red Apple and KAAN. We will develop systems and products with much more advanced technologies than today's in cyber security and systems, quantum technologies, electronic warfare systems, with your efforts. Türkiye's own possibilities and capabilities in artificial intelligence." "We will enable it to develop and implement local, national and original projects."
Kacır stated that young people will carry Türkiye to a brighter future with the sweat of their brows and minds, and asked young people to share their experiences with their families, siblings, friends, and citizens of friendly and brotherly countries.
"NO ONE WILL EVEN CONSIDER IT"
Kacır pointed out that evil in the world has come upon humanity with its ordinary power and made the following statements:
"In today's world, we see that only developing technology may not actually bring benefits to humanity. Humanity longs for justice and mercy, and we are aware that technology developed for the benefit of humanity is valuable. Therefore, in order to strengthen this family and strengthen our ties, we expect you to share this experience with your teachers, your fellow students, and all our friends around us in the countries you are in. This journey of Türkiye is not only for the Turkish nation, but also for the innocent and oppressed all around the world who long for justice and mercy, from Anatolia to this experience. "It is of great value to everyone who is waiting from the geography and the Turkish lands. We will be stronger in this journey by strengthening our ties with you and our friends. We will become so strong that no one in the world will even think of harming the oppressed and the Turkish nation."
Kacır underlined that this level of deterrence will definitely be reached as Turkey and the Turkish nation, adding that they will continue to work and run day and night, and that the young people doing their internships will continue to return to Türkiye and walk towards this goal together, as the children of families who shouldered this burden alongside them and went to different geographies of the world on many different occasions.
"Türkiye NEEDS RESOURCES THAT ARE YOUNG AND INTEGRATED WITH THE WORLD"
ROKETSAN General Manager Murat Ikinci also said that Türkiye has written a success story in the defense industry in the last 20 years that is appreciated by the world.
Explaining that they build the world's most advanced missiles, UAVs, tanks, ships and helicopters in Türkiye, İkik said:
"We are writing the success story appreciated by the world's engineer staff, whose average age is 36. The biggest story of the defense industry is Türkiye's success in producing products with the competence to challenge many developed countries of the world and crush them technologically, with its young engineer staff. In order to maintain this success and be sustainable, our country needs its children and students who will contribute. Wherever these are, Türkiye needs resources that are young and integrated with the world, and follow the developments in the world."
