Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, during a live broadcast, described the intensive diplomatic efforts aimed at lifting the overt and covert restrictions and sanctions imposed on Turkey. Minister Fidan emphasized that these efforts are a matter of national security and clearly stated that he is obligated to lift these sanctions in accordance with requests from relevant institutions. This stance demonstrates Turkey’s determination to ensure its independence in the defense industry and military needs on the international stage.
Diplomacy for the Lifting of Sanctions
Minister Fidan noted that his first directive upon taking office was to compile a list of all restrictions and sanctions targeting Turkey in the defense sector. This list includes information from the Presidency of the Defense Industries, restrictions on products from key companies, and shortages in ammunition used by the Air Force and Navy. Fidan emphasized that sanctions must be lifted for two primary purposes: to ensure the procurement of critical products currently needed while localization efforts continue, and to meet the demands of the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) and the defense industry.
Noting that significant successes have been achieved in this regard over the past two years, Minister Fidan stated that restrictions in countries such as Canada, the Netherlands, Norway, Belgium, and Germany have been largely lifted, that some issues with the U.S. have been resolved, and that others are still under negotiation.
Minister Fidan explained the basis of his diplomatic mission as follows: “My duty is to lift these sanctions. As long as our relevant institutions make such a request, I am obligated to ensure these sanctions are lifted.”
National Security and Alternative Supply Channels
Touching on the challenges encountered during the process of lifting the sanctions, Fidan clarified the limits of the steps to be taken to protect national interests. He described the path Turkey would follow if the other party could not provide a reasonable justification for maintaining the sanctions or if progress on the issue could not be made: “My national security requires that I obtain this from elsewhere. And the other party needs to know this. Look, I want to get this from you, but if you don’t provide it, I’ll have other alternatives.”
This statement demonstrates the importance Turkey places on strategic autonomy in foreign policy and its policy of avoiding dependence on a single source. Minister Fidan emphasized that these matters of high state importance must be addressed transparently and that diverting the discussion to other areas is meaningless.
Disinformation and Disrespect for the Defense Industry’s Efforts
Minister Fidan stated that the recent debates—in which he himself has been implicated—are the product of “disinformation, manipulation, and black propaganda,” adding that he does not take these artificial debates seriously. Fidan emphasized that the real issue—one that far transcends these debates—is the matter of Turkey’s national security.
However, he drew particular attention to one area of debate created by this propaganda: the emergence of rhetoric that fails to recognize—and shows disrespect for—the efforts toward localization and nationalization in the defense industry. Minister Fidan stated that he strongly rejects and condemns this approach.
The Architects of Localization and User Experience
Minister Fidan noted that the success in the defense industry is the result of years of hard work by thousands of engineers, and that the localization rate has reached 80% thanks to the efforts of leading companies such as ASELSAN, TAI, ROKETSAN, HAVELSAN, Baykar, and BMC. He emphasized that this success should never be underestimated.
Fidan noted that during his tenure as head of the National Intelligence Organization (MIT), he personally used ` to p` of these products, adding that they had tested numerous domestic products—such as UAVs, armed UAVs, ammunition, electronic warfare devices, and infantry rifles—in operations. He said that all data obtained from operations in Syria, Iraq, and many other countries—whose names he could not disclose— was shared with Turkish engineers and companies, contributing to the development of these products.
Fidan, speaking as both a user of these products and a key contributor to their advancement, stated that he finds criticism of the defense industry’s efforts unacceptable, once again drawing the public’s attention to the importance of sacrifice and nationalistic efforts in this field. These acquisitions and Minister Fidan’s efforts reinforce Turkey’s determination to achieve its goal of a fully independent defense industry.
