Rear Admiral Zeki Aktürk, Spokesperson of the Ministry of National Defense, held a weekly press briefing at Gölcük Shipyard Command. Aktürk stated that efforts to increase the power and effectiveness of the Turkish Armed Forces are continuing with the war vehicles, equipment and ammunition produced by the domestic and national defense industry.
In this context, Aktürk stated that various quantities of National Infantry Rifle (MPT-76 MH), 120 millimeter mortar destruction ammunition, 155 millimeter concrete-piercing artillery fuze and 2.75 inch rocket engine were delivered to the Land Forces Command by MKE in the last week, and that weapons and ammunition in various quantities and sizes were delivered to defense industry stakeholders.
THE 9TH OF DENİZHAN-76 WILL BE INTEGRATED INTO MİLGEM'S 11TH SHIP
Aktürk stated that the 9th National Naval Gun Denizhan-76, developed by MKE with local and national resources, has successfully completed the firing acceptance tests, and announced that the gun was delivered to be integrated into the 11th ship built within the scope of the MİLGEM Project. Aktürk stated that ASELSAN delivered the Fire Direction Device, Modern Towed Gun and MILKAR-3A4 Portable Electronic Attack System to the Land Forces Command within the scope of 35 millimeter Air Defense System Modernization.
Aktürk also noted that while ASTELA 4931 Fixed Center and ASTELA 3711 Handheld Radio Sets were delivered to the Naval Forces Command, the Laser Guidance Kit (LGK-84) and Precision Guidance Kit (HGK-84) were delivered to the Air Forces Command.
"ANOTHER PKK TERRORIST SURROUNDED"
Aktürk stated that the Turkish Armed Forces continues to fight against all kinds of threats and dangers, especially terrorism, for the security of the country and the nation and the survival of the state. Aktürk said, "In the last week, 1 more PKK terrorist surrendered."
"660 PEOPLE WERE CAUGHT AT THE BORDERS"
Providing information about border security, Aktürk stated that the fight against illegal crossings and smuggling continues uninterruptedly with the gradual security system and technology-supported measures. Aktürk announced that 660 people who tried to cross the border illegally in the last week were caught, and 1,383 people were prevented before they could cross the border. Aktürk stated that thus, the number of people caught while trying to cross the border illegally during the year increased to 13 thousand 366, and the number of those prevented before crossing the border increased to 53 thousand 870.
Aktürk reported that 517 kilograms (517 thousand 87 grams) of drugs were seized during the search and scanning activities carried out on the Van border line. Aktürk stated that on the 7th anniversary of the Peace Spring Operation, which was launched on October 9, 2019 to prevent the terrorist corridor that was wanted to be created in the south of Türkiye and to ensure the security of the borders, they commemorated the martyrs who lost their lives in the operation with mercy and gratitude, and expressed their respect and gratitude to the veterans.
CONTRIBUTIONS TO REGIONAL AND GLOBAL PEACE AND STABILITY
Aktürk also made the following evaluations about contributions to regional and global peace and stability, NATO and bilateral relations:
"Our Turkish Armed Forces continue to contribute to regional and global peace and stability within the scope of international missions, especially bilateral relations and NATO. In this context, on October 3, in France, our Director General of Defense and Security held meetings with the Minister of Delegation to the French Minister of Armed Forces and Veterans, the Chief of Military Private Secretary of the French President and the General Director of International Relations and Strategy, regarding bilateral defense and military relations, strategic dialogue and the development of existing cooperation. 'Türkiye-France Defense Cooperation Roadmap' was signed.
Within the scope of the Turkey-Greece Confidence Building Measures 2026 Implementation Plan, a delegation from our National Defense University is holding contacts at the Greek Defense College in Athens between 7-9 October, the new round of Confidence Building Measures Meetings is planned to be held in Crete tomorrow, and a delegation from the Greek Naval Forces Command will visit our Naval Forces Command between 13-15 October.
"On 15-16 October, the 'Terrorism Experts Conference and High-Level Counter-Terrorism Seminar' will be held in Ankara by our Counter-Terrorism Center of Excellence Command, with the participation of local and foreign speakers who are experts in their fields and 114 participants from 35 countries."
MINISTER GÜLER'S CONTACTS
Aktürk stated that Minister of National Defense Yaşar Güler attended the Distinguished Observer Day of the Unity Strength-2026 Exercise held in Azerbaijan on October 1. Stating that Güler attended the 13th Turkey-Azerbaijan-Georgia Defense Ministers Meeting and the ADEX International Defense Industry Fair on October 2, Aktürk said that Minister Güler participated in TEKNOFEST Southeast held in Şanlıurfa on October 3, together with the TSK Command Level and Deputy Minister Salih Ayhan.
Aktürk reported that Güler attended the "Strategic Political and Defense Committee Meeting" held in Riyadh within the scope of the Mecca Agreement on October 5, together with Minister of Foreign Affairs Hakan Fidan and Chief of General Staff General Selçuk Bayraktaroğlu. Stating that Güler attended the 2026-2027 Academic Year Opening Ceremony of the National Defense University on October 7, Aktürk announced that Minister Güler will host the Albanian Minister of Defense and his accompanying delegation today (October 8) and receive the Ambassador of Qatar.
CONTACTS OF CHIEF OF GENERAL STAFF BAYRAKTAROGLU
Aktürk said that Chief of General Staff General Selçuk Bayraktaroğlu had a telephone conversation with the Kuwaiti Chief of General Staff on October 6, where bilateral relations and regional issues were discussed. He stated that Bayraktaroğlu received the Polish Land Forces Inspector, who came to Türkiye as the official guest of the Land Forces Commander, on the same day.
Aktürk stated that the Commander of the Naval Forces, Admiral Ercüment Tatlıoğlu, attended the 15th Trans-Regional Naval Power Symposium held in Italy between 6-8 October. He stated that the Commander of the Naval Forces held bilateral meetings with his counterparts within the scope of the symposium.
"ISRAEL'S AGGRESSIVE ATTITUDE IN THE SOUTH OF SYRIA INCREASES THE TENSION"
Within the scope of the developments in the Middle East, Aktürk stated that "Israel continues its aggressive attitude that escalates tension in the region with house raids, arbitrary detentions, land border violations and air/artillery fire in settlements in southern Syria." Aktürk said:
"The resumption of trench digging and road widening activities within the scope of the so-called 'Sufa-53 Line Project' is a clear violation of the 1974 Separation of Forces Agreement and an indication that it continues its expansionist policies. In addition, turning a blind eye to the violations and provocations of Israeli illegal settlers and extremist Jews targeting holy places increases the tension in the region. The international community must take concrete and decisive steps against these policies and actions of the Israeli Government, which prevent peace and stability in the region." We invite you once again to throw it."
"TAFF'S TRAINING AND EXERCISE ACTIVITIES CONTINUE"
Rear Admiral Aktürk gave information about the Turkish Armed Forces' national and international training and exercise activities. Aktürk stated that Martyr Air Aircraft Maintenance Petty Officer Staff Sergeant Hamdi Armağan Kaplan Yıldırım Mobilization continued in Amasya between 3-9 October, and Nusret-2026 exercises continued in Izmir Bay and Karadeniz Ereğli between 6-16 October.
Stating that the Martyr Captain Cengiz Topel Mediterranean Storm Exercise will be held in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus between 12-16 October, Aktürk said that the Distinguished Observer Day of the Fire Free-2026 Activity held in Polatlı will be held on 15 October.
Aktürk said, "In the activity in question, shooting missions will be carried out with 95 different types and diameters of weapons and weapon systems, and 104 different types and diameters of weapons and weapon systems will be exhibited." Stating that within the scope of the activity, a demonstration flight will be carried out by Turkish Stars and a concert will be given by the Mehteran Unit Command, Aktürk noted that the aim is to demonstrate the fire power of the Turkish Armed Forces and improve the coordination of fire support between forces.
"TAF IS PARTICIPATING IN MULTINATIONAL EXERCISES"
Aktürk stated that the Turkish Armed Forces participated in Carpathian Arc Collective Defense exercises in Romania, Steadfast Duel in Italy, England and Norway, On Guard Command Post in Istanbul and Multinational Mine Operation exercises in the Republic of Korea. Stating that they will also participate in the Mare Aperto Amphibious Operation Exercise to be held in Italy between 13-25 October, Aktürk said that naval elements of different countries will continue their port visits in Türkiye.
He stated that Romanian Coast Guard element Mai 0201 made a port visit to Istanbul between 5-9 October, and TCG Sancaktar made a port visit to Çanakkale between 6-8 October as part of the Open Sea Training of National Defense University Naval Petty Officer Vocational School students.
Aktürk stated that within the scope of Nusret-2026, the Spanish Navy element Turia, the Italian Navy element Numana and the German Naval Force element Fulda, who are assigned to the NATO Permanent Mine Countermeasures Task Group-2, made a port visit to Izmir between 6-18 October.
He said that TCG Burgazada, assigned to NATO Standing Maritime Task Group-2, will visit Italy on 10-12 October, and within the scope of the 12th Activation Activity of the Mine Countermeasures Black Sea Task Group, TCG Akçay, Bulgarian Naval Forces elements Struma and Captain Dimitar Dobrev and Romanian Naval Forces element Dumitrescu will make a port visit to Karadeniz Ereğli on 11 October.
"TCG ALEMDAR PARTICIPATES IN THE INVESTIGATION OF WRENCHES IN THE AEGEAN SEA"
Stating that the TCG Alemdar rescue ship participated in the studies carried out in the Aegean Sea within the scope of the protocols signed between the Ministry of National Defense, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and Dokuz Eylül University, Aktürk stated that the shipwrecks belonging to the Ottoman period in the Koyun Islands and Didim region will be identified and identified between 8-18 October. Aktürk stated that activities will be carried out to unearth archaeological remains and military cultural assets from the shipwrecks.
"TRAINING FLIGHT BY AIR FORCE, DEMONSTRATION IN MUDANYA BY SOLOTÜRK"
Stating that a training flight will be carried out in the Black Sea by the Air Forces Command on October 9 with the participation of combat and support aircraft, Aktürk said that a demonstration flight will be made by SOLOTÜRK in Mudanya on October 11 within the scope of the "104th Anniversary of the Armistice of Mudanya". Aktürk stated that the Air Force Space Commander also attended the International Astronautical Congress (IAC 2026 Antalya) held in Antalya between 5-9 October.
FOUR FIRST PLACES AND TWO SECOND PLACES TO TSK SPORTS POWER SHOOTING TEAM
Aktürk stated that the Turkish Armed Forces Sports Shooting Team achieved four first places and two second places in the 50-meter firearm and 25-meter firearm branches in the "Olympic Branches Firearms Federation Cup" held in Mersin between 25-27 September. Stating that an athlete who passed the international threshold score in the 50-meter firearm category also qualified to compete on behalf of the national team, Aktürk congratulated the athletes.
"APPLICATIONS FOR PUBLIC TRANSITION OF CONTRACTED SERVANTS AND PRIVATES WILL END ON OCTOBER 12"
Providing information about the personnel and military student recruitment and procurement processes, Aktürk announced that the pre-application process carried out through e-Government for the employment of contracted non-commissioned officers and privates who have completed seven years of service in the Turkish Armed Forces and resigned from their duties in public institutions and organizations will end on October 12.
Aktürk stated that the applications for "2026 Medical and Dentist Class Contracted/Active Officer Candidates, Specially Qualified Physical Education Teacher Class Active Officer Candidates" and "National Defense University Teacher/Engineer Class Active Officer Candidates" will continue until October 20. He stated that applications for the "2026 Active Officer Candidate Supply to the Turkish Armed Forces from Faculty or College Graduates with a Term of At least Four Years Term" will start on October 12.
"TAF WILL CONTINUE TO PROTECT Türkiye'S RIGHTS AND INTERESTS"
Aktürk stated that the Turkish Armed Forces will continue to develop its knowledge, experience and engineering capabilities, and said that it will increase its power and deterrence with modern warfare vehicles, equipment and systems developed by the domestic and national defense industry. Stating that the Turkish Armed Forces will continue to resolutely protect the rights and interests of Türkiye, especially the Blue Homeland, Aktürk said, "It will continue to fulfill all the duties entrusted to it for the security of our country and our noble nation on land, at sea and in the air, with great determination, determination and success."
"Türkiye-FRANCE DEFENSE COOPERATION WILL BE INSTITUTIONALIZED WITH THE ROADMAP"
Later, journalists' questions were answered by the Ministry of National Defense. When asked the question regarding the road map of cooperation between Türkiye and France, the Ministry of National Defense made the following evaluations:
"A Road Map has been signed between Turkey and France in order to develop relations in the field of defense and security on the basis of mutual interests and to give the existing cooperation a more institutional structure. Within the scope of the Road Map, it is envisaged to hold regular consultations on defense and security issues, to combat hybrid threats, to share intelligence, to develop closer cooperation in the field of air defense and to improve the interoperability of systems. In addition, it is planned to carry out training and capacity building activities in third countries in a coordinated manner that will contribute to regional stability. In the military field, to increase joint training activities, It is aimed to develop mutual personnel exchange programs between military academies, to conduct joint training and exercises with the participation of land, sea and air elements through port visits.
It is aimed to develop joint projects and business opportunities in the field of defense industry, to encourage information and technology sharing, and to increase contacts between the defense industry organizations of the two countries. The Road Map aims to regularize contacts between the defense authorities of the two countries and institutionalize cooperation. In this context, the meetings are planned to be held alternately in Paris and Ankara, and the first meeting is planned to be held in the last quarter of 2026 by agreement of the parties. "It is evaluated that the Road Map in question will contribute to a more institutional structure of defense and security relations between the two countries, strengthening mutual trust and regional peace and stability."
