The Development of Turkish defense industry from World War 2 to present (1939-1990)

ABSTRACTDefense Industry is a group of private or state-owned companies that, inconstant contact with other industrial branches, designs, develops and produces allkinds of weapons systems needed by the armed forces of a country.As has always been at every phase of history, Turkey?s geopolitical andgeographical location requires special precautions. This is also crucial for the defenseof the allied group we are in. The fact that Turkey has the control of the straits, that itis a natural bridge between Asia and Europe, that owns the second largest armedforces among the allies signify our need to keep our country?s potential militarypower and hence, its defense industry at top level.The young Turkish Republic which lived through the difficulties of theIndependence War has since given great importance to the establishment of anational defense industry and launched big enterprises. Our country managed tobuild her own aircrafts and submarines in those early years and sustained her effortsin this field during the 40s as well. Makine Kimya Endüstrisi Kurumu, (TheInstitutiton of Machines and Chemistry Industry) Silâh ve Mühimmat Sanayi(Weapons and Ammunition Industry), Türk Kuşu (Turkish Bird), Tayyare Fabrikası(Aircraft Factory) and many other similar enterprises point to very serious goalsaspired. However, because of the economical problems of the country and the?military aids? taken during the cold-war years, national defense campaigns sloweddown in 50s and 60s. The embargos started by the allied forces after the CypressPeace Operation eventually contributed to the acceleration of the militaryinvestments: on the one hand, Güçlendirme Vakıfları (Support Foundations) wentinto service, ASELSAN and HAVELSAN flourished and on the other, militaryproduction units were quickly structured. During the 70s and 80s Kara KuvvetleriAğır Bakım ve Tamir Fabrikaları (Army Heavy Maintenance and Repair Factories),Navy Military Dockyards, Air Force Supply and Maintenance Centers opened addingnew strength to our defense industry.Today, Turkish Defense Industry consists of state organizations and institutionsof the private sector. Included in them are military factories, dockyards, air supportand maintenance centers, state owned weapons factories and some other stateorganizations.ITurkish Armed Forces imports 35% of its overall needs and 79% of its maindefense systems. With these ratios, Turkish Republic is one of the countries thatimport the most defense industry products among the NATO members.In recent years, thanks to efforts that emphasize the defense industryinfrastructure in order to meet the needs of our Armed Forces from local sources,very crucial and strategic defense industry institutions have been put into service.These institutions and new defense concepts will carry the Turkish defense industryto the highest levels.II