Ankara, Turkey – CHP Deputy Chairman Yankı Bağcıoğlu held a press conference at the party headquarters, asserting that the defense industry cannot afford delays, political considerations, favoritism, incompetence, cronyism, unfair competition, or efforts to have different firms do the same job. Bağcıoğlu emphasized the urgent need for a significant shift in mindset and approach within the sector.
Meritocracy is Key for Defense Personnel
Bağcıoğlu highlighted that one of the most crucial issues to be addressed by the Ministry of National Defense is the personal and social rights of both active and retired personnel. He stated, “As you all know, it is trained, competent, and highly loyal personnel who bring life to weapons and systems.” He noted that the purchasing power of Turkish Armed Forces personnel has weakened across all professional groups, with all retired personnel currently living below the poverty line. “Especially retired non-commissioned officers are below the hunger line. Similarly, specialized sergeants, retired majors, and retired civil servants from the Turkish Armed Forces and the Ministry of National Defense receive retirement salaries at or below the hunger line,” Bağcıoğlu added.
He also pointed out that despite legal rights, specialized sergeants and contracted privates have not been able to secure employment in public institutions. Bağcıoğlu mentioned the intensive efforts of associations established by law, such as the Turkish Retired Officers Association, the Retired Non-Commissioned Officers Association, and the Retired Specialized Sergeants Association, in this regard. “We expect the demands of these associations to be taken into consideration,” he said.
Support for KAAN, Call for Transparency in Engine Development
Bağcıoğlu underscored that the National Combat Aircraft KAAN symbolizes Turkey’s technological and operational independence in the skies. “We support all efforts towards the National Combat Aircraft KAAN,” he stated, urging for the necessary procedures regarding its national engine to be completed as soon as possible. He stressed the importance of setting realistic goals, as information provided without them creates a crisis of confidence and hopelessness among the public. “Therefore, information on this matter needs to be provided according to realistic timelines,” Bağcıoğlu said, recalling that the statements made by the Minister of Foreign Affairs regarding the KAAN’s engine had caused deep disappointment among the public. He concluded that the process must be conducted transparently.
Lessons from Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, Focus on Unmanned Marine Vehicles
While Turkey holds a leading position in Europe in unmanned aerial vehicle technology, thanks to national, private, and official firms, Bağcıoğlu noted that the same level has not been reached in unmanned marine vehicles. He highlighted the presence of excellent shipyards working on unmanned marine vehicles, such as the Machine Chemical Industry, and urged them to intensify their efforts to produce world-class unmanned marine vehicles that can compete in the global market, similar to the success achieved with unmanned aerial vehicles.
Regarding the recent unmanned aerial vehicle incident, Bağcıoğlu stated that it could be a loss of control, an act of harassment, a reaction measurement, a provocation by third states, or intelligence, reconnaissance, or reaction measurement, as indicated by the Ministry of National Defense. “All of these are possibilities. As I said, regardless of which country, which state, or for what purpose it was launched, we urgently need to learn lessons and look forward,” he concluded.
