The signing ceremony for Turkey’s first domestic X-RAY scanning system has been held

The signing ceremony for the 3rd Protocol revision of Turkey’s first domestic X-RAY scanning system, developed between the Ministry of Commerce and the Presidency of Defense Industries (SSB), was held as part of the National Scanning Systems (MİLTAR) Project. In his speech at the ceremony, Minister Bolat stated, “Twenty years ago, no one could even imagine that we would become a country that exports technology.”

The signing ceremony for the 3rd Protocol revision of the National Scanning Systems MİLTAR Project, initiated through a joint venture between the Customs Protection General Directorate, affiliated with the Ministry of Commerce, and SSB, took place at the Ministry of Commerce. During the signing ceremony, attended by Minister of Commerce Ömer Bolat and SSB President Haluk Görgün, participants were informed about the project. Within the framework of the signed protocol, systems needed by the Customs Protection General Directorate after 2025 will be procured. Information was provided about the systems to be procured during the signing ceremony. Accordingly, the protocol includes the delivery of 21 semi-fixed vehicle container scanning systems, 6 mobile vehicle container scanning systems, 9 backscatter scanning systems, 20 baggage scanning systems, 4 backscatter technology kits, 2 radiation detection systems, 2 computer tomography baggage scanning systems, and 3 train scanning systems.

“We continue our fight against smuggling uncompromisingly.”

Minister of Commerce Bolat stated that protecting the rights of citizens engaged in honest trade is among their primary responsibilities, saying, “The delivery of products to consumers without undergoing necessary tests and controls poses a risk to public health. We are aware of our responsibility at this point. We must always be careful and vigilant to ensure that not a single citizen suffers harm from illegal products. For this reason, we continue our fight against smuggling uncompromisingly. On the other hand, illegal product smuggling poses a significant risk to society, especially our youth, and the revenues generated from the trade of these products are used to finance terrorism and illegal criminal organizations. Our efforts in this regard continue. For these reasons, it is among the primary responsibilities of states to see customs smuggling not just as an economic issue but also as a national security issue and to develop appropriate policies. This is critical for ensuring internal security and establishing a strong position in the international arena. From this point of view, fighting against smuggling requires discipline and serious work. As the Ministry of Commerce, we always consider two fundamental principles in this struggle. The first is to ensure the uninterrupted flow of legal trade; the second is to achieve international standards in controls and inspections,” he said.

“We have now become a country that even exports high-tech products.”

Recalling that since 2019, 3 Protocols have been signed between institutions and 2 contracts between SSB and the contractor company as part of the MİLTAR Project, which is conducted under the coordination of the Presidency of Defense Industries and used by the Ministry of Commerce, Bolat continued: “In this context, 6 systems have been put into operation. Following the remarkable success of the MİLTAR Project, we decided to continue the local production of scanning systems and to expand the product range. This decision not only strengthens our country’s security and trade infrastructure but also allows for the continuation of local production and the expansion of the product range. Through local production, we aimed to reduce our dependence on foreign sources and create a stronger and independent system with our own resources. Thus, while increasing our country’s capacity in defense and security, we also contributed to our economic growth and the enhancement of our export potential. It was just like a gardener growing his own seeds. Inspired by today’s signing ceremony, I would like to say this: Our country’s potential and capacity are vast. It is capable of responding to its own digital and IT needs. As long as we believe in this and provide the necessary support. Twenty years ago, no one could even imagine that we would become a country that exports technology. But now we have become a country that exports even high-tech products. We are aware of the magnitude of the distance we have to cover. But we know that in the natural course of life, steps are taken one by one, as long as there is no stumbling.”

“It can be used in different applications in the military field.”

SSB President Görgün expressed that Turkey has made a very serious move in the defense industry in recent years towards its goal of becoming a global power. He stated that exports are increasing day by day through the projects they are executing, saying, “We initiated the MİLTAR project together to successfully carry out inspections conducted by our Customs Protection General Directorate in customs areas and to prevent elements that could threaten the country’s reliability from entering and exiting our country in the fight against smuggling. With the domestically and nationally developed MİLTAR project, capabilities such as cargo and vehicle inspection, detection of solids and explosives, and detection of chemical attacks have been acquired, and these capabilities can also be used in different applications in the military field. Additionally, the needs of friendly and allied countries in this regard will also be met.” Following the signing ceremony, Minister Bolat and SSB President Görgün inspected the ‘GHOST’ system delivered as part of the project.