ANKARA, April 10. /TASS/. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced that Ankara plans to increase overall budget appropriations for Turkey’s defense sector enterprises to $75 billion.
"The number of projects in the defense industry has grown from 62 to 750, and the number of companies from 56 to 2,700. When we came to power [in 2002], the defense-related projects that were being implemented then were valued at $5.5 billion. Today, this figure is in excess of $60 billion. And, looking further down the road, if we factor in those projects that are now at the tender stage, we will be raising the defense industry budget to $75 billion," he said at a ceremony for transferring Turkey’s first domestically made amphibious assault ship, the Anadolu, to the navy, which was broadcast by Turkish television.
The increase in defense sector funding, according to Erdogan, will bring about "new breakthroughs in all domains."
"We have achieved a significant reduction in the level of foreign dependence in the defense industry. Domestic and national [enterprises] have now reached a level of 80% participation in all research and development work in the sector. We are not only manufacturing equipment, but also producing ammunition. Our products are in demand domestically and outside of the country," the president said.
He also said that, thanks to the development of the domestic defense industry, Turkey is engaged now in preparing for the potential combat conditions of the future.