Turkish Aerospace Industries (TUSAŞ) General Manager Mehmet Demiroğlu spoke at a panel held at Chatham House, the UK's leading think tank. Demiroğlu explained Turkey's strategic contribution to NATO's collective deterrence in the changing global security environment.
At the event titled 'A View from Ankara: Security and Defence Implications of the NATO Summit', the future of NATO, European security and the transformation in the defence industry were discussed. The panel was also attended by NATO Parliamentary Assembly Secretary General Benedetta Berti, Chatham House International Security Programme Director Marion Messmer and former UK Parliament Defence Committee Chair Tobias Ellwood. The session was moderated by Chatham House Researcher Galip Dalay.
NATO 3.0 and Turkey's role
Demiroğlu said that the NATO Summit held in Ankara brought a new approach to the defence industry. He stated that in this new security paradigm, defined as 'NATO 3.0', security is no longer shaped solely by military power but by a strong defence industry, sustainable production, resilient supply chains and technological superiority.
Emphasizing that Turkey's developed defence industry ecosystem makes a significant contribution to this new understanding, Demiroğlu said, 'Turkey is making a strategic contribution to NATO's future security architecture.' He noted that TUSAŞ, with its indigenous platforms and engineering capability, is a strategic actor strengthening NATO's collective deterrence.
The importance of transatlantic cooperation
Demiroğlu pointed out that Turkey is no longer a country that only meets its own needs, but has become a strong producer that also contributes to the security of friendly and allied countries. Stating that strengthening transatlantic cooperation is critical for Europe's security, Demiroğlu said, 'We want to see a stronger NATO with contributions from both sides of the Atlantic.'
HÜRJET export a strategic step
The TUSAŞ General Manager cited the export of HÜRJET to Spain as an example of international cooperation. He stated that this export is not only a commercial success but also a strategic step that strengthens the position of Turkey's advanced aviation technologies in the European and NATO ecosystem. He said that HÜRJET can perform missions in line with NATO standards and will advance defence cooperation with allied countries.
Demiroğlu added that in the changing security environment, cost-effective systems are gaining importance alongside high-tech platforms, and that TUSAŞ will continue to contribute to the security architecture of NATO and Europe in the future.
