According to the information compiled by the AA correspondent, chip supply, which directly determines the continuity of production, from electronic control units in automotive to motor drivers in white goods, from power supplies to sensors, from communication infrastructures to critical defense systems, is seen as the fundamental element of production power, technological leadership and economic security.
Planning to overcome the recent supply problems experienced around the world by strengthening its existing design and production capabilities and increasing its research capacity, Turkey has pushed the button to move up the global value chain.
In this context, in the 2027-2029 Medium Term Program (MTP), increasing domestic R&D, production and innovation capacity in strategic sectors, including semiconductors, was determined as one of the main targets in order to strengthen technological independence and economic security.
Under the title of "Economic Security and Resilience" of the program, the establishment of chip production facilities was among the steps towards developing domestic capacity in critical technologies.
These facilities will enable the domestic production of chips used in ID, passport and industrial applications. In addition to production capacity in the sector, R&D, design and commercialization capabilities will also be improved. National projects will ensure that Türkiye stands out in the global chip race.
Action plan is on the way
Action plans to support domestic production, especially technology development in critical areas, are being prepared to strengthen supply security in the manufacturing industry, energy, agriculture, health and transportation sectors.
The plans, which are expected to be created by the end of the year, will be forwarded to the Presidency's Strategy and Budget Directorate for evaluation and decision by the Economy Coordination Board.
With action plans, the country's competence in design and R&D in the chip industry will be carried to the production stage. Studies are currently being carried out through TÜBİTAK BİLGEM and Semiconductor Technologies Research Laboratory (YİTAL). Thus, it is aimed to move the current production capacity from 250 nanometers to 110 nanometers in the MTP period.
Establishing a multi-partner "National Chip Consortium" with public support is also among the plans. Thus, it is envisaged to gradually expand the chip ecosystem, develop competencies, and eliminate foreign dependency on the critical chip needs of the Turkish industry.
In this process, relevant organizations, especially TUBITAK, will support the process with incentives. The HIT-30 High Technology Investment Program opportunities launched by the Ministry of Industry and Technology will also be used in chip development. With the HIT-Chip call, for which a support budget of 5 billion dollars has been allocated, an annual production capacity of at least 1 million stamps in 65 nanometer or more advanced technology will be created.
Türkiye's strategic agenda
On the other hand, with projects such as national processor ÇAKIL and ALP-EREN, external dependency will be reduced through open source architectures and secure processor cores will be created.
It will be investigated how the usage areas of domestic chips can be expanded in the automotive and white goods sectors, where the country is strong.
Türkiye's chip agenda will be handled not as a stand-alone investment topic, but as one of the permanent axes of industrial and technology transformation. A wide capacity will be built, from qualified human resources to testing and standards infrastructure, from university research to cooperation networks established with industry.
