Vice President Yılmaz and President of the Grand National Assembly Kurtulmuş sent a “national unity” message at TUSAŞ.

Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz and Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey Numan Kurtulmuş stated that the fight against terrorism will continue resolutely and that the defense industry will be strengthened further during their visit to TUSAŞ after the terrorist attack.

After visiting the TUSAŞ facility in the Kahramankazan district of Ankara, where the terrorist attack occurred, Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz and Speaker Kurtulmuş held a press conference. Kurtulmuş indicated that the attack was not coincidental, stating, “Both in terms of timing and the chosen location, it was a well-planned and well-prepared terrorist attack. The perpetrators of terrorism are not just two terrorists. We know the minds behind this terrorist attack, the planning behind it, and what their true intentions are. And we must continue our preparations without fail in unity and solidarity across all areas. We saw this yesterday when we visited our injured brothers in the hospital. Today, we also saw that those injured brothers who were discharged this morning returned to their duties here. They continued their duties from where they left off. This attack has strengthened the national feelings of all our brothers and sisters working in the Turkish national defense industry, especially the employees of TUSAŞ. It has elevated their determination to work to a higher level. Hopefully, with this determination and resolve, the Turkish national defense industry will continue to be a leader in the world. Our successes in this field will continue. Some may be disturbed by this. The investments Turkey has made in the defense industry and the breakthroughs achieved in this industry serve a purpose far beyond just strengthening one or several industrial organizations. Being strong in Turkey’s national defense industry is one of the most important and strategic steps toward Turkey’s goal of ‘full independence.'”

“This attack will not cause a setback to our defense industry”

Kurtulmuş emphasized that Turkey will never retreat from its goal of full independence, stating, “Turkey will continue to maintain its stability as an island of stability and peace in this region. Turkey will continue to move forward with all 86 million of our citizens in peace and tranquility. It does not matter who the enemy is. What is essential for us is our national goals, our solidarity, our national unity, and to continue on our path within this framework. Once again, we condemn this attack aimed at our defense industry in the strongest terms. This does not represent a setback or a step back for our defense industry. On the contrary, our defense industry managers, especially our engineers, will continue to take steps forward in this regard,” he said.

Kurtulmuş pointed out that the reason behind the attack was the developments in the defense industry, stating, “We know that they are disturbed by Turkey’s independent actions that prioritize only its national interests. I would like to proudly state that the average age of our engineers in the Turkish defense industry is 33. For example, in the United States, the average age of engineers working in the defense industry is over 50. This means one thing; with God’s permission, in the upcoming period, the Turkish defense industry will continue to produce very powerfully, achieve new inventions, and realize its national goals on the shoulders of our young engineers.”

“They are trying to disturb our peace; we will continue our path with more peace”

Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz condemned those who carried out the terrorist attack and the dark forces behind it, stating, “The terrorist attack that occurred was an assault on our national unity, our peace, and our defense industry, which we all take pride in. I want to strongly emphasize that there is undoubtedly a place that terrorism wants to drive us to. Those who commit this terrorism and use it as a tool do so with a purpose, with an aim. We, however, will act directly contrary to their goals. We want this to be known clearly and unequivocally. They are trying to disturb our peace; we will continue our path with more peace. They are trying to disrupt our unity, our solidarity, our brotherhood. On the contrary, we will elevate our brotherhood even more. We will continue our national unity and solidarity much more strongly. They are disturbed by the strengthening of our defense industry on the road to the goal of a fully independent Turkey. They are trying to demoralize the workers of our defense industry and the companies we take pride in this field. On the contrary, together with the heroic workers of our defense industry and our proud firms, we as the government will continue to work in this field with greater determination and resolve,” he said.

“Our defense industry will reach much stronger tomorrows”

Kurtulmuş stated that Turkey will continue strongly on its path, saying, “Our country has a lot of experience and has suffered many pains in this regard. We want to send a clear and definite message to those who use it as a tool; Turkey will continue strongly on its path. Today, we saw at TUSAŞ that the employees who received treatment for their injuries returned to their duties with greater excitement and determination. We can only carry the legacy of our brothers who sacrificed their lives for this cause, for a strong Turkey, to the future in the strongest way. Our defense industry will reach much stronger tomorrows. Not to disturb others, not to harm, but rather, to ensure justice, to ensure peace, Turkey will continue on its path with much firmer steps as a deterrent power to establish peace in our country, our region, and at the global level. I want to emphasize that we will continue to fight effectively against terrorism and the centers behind it, as well as those who use terrorism as a tool,” he said.

In addition to Vice President Yılmaz and Speaker Kurtulmuş, the Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloğlu, Minister of Industry and Technology Mehmet Fatih Kacır, Chief of General Staff General Metin Gürak, President of the Defense Industry Haluk Görgün, Commander of the Air Force General Ziya Cemal Kadıoğlu, and Chairman of the Board of BAYKAR Selçuk Bayraktar also visited TUSAŞ.