15th International Defence Industry Fair (IDEF 2021)
In August last, Turkey hosted the 15th International Defense Industry Fair (IDEF 2021) with 536 domestic firms and 700 foreign companies participating. IDEF is organized by the Turkish Armed Forces Foundation once every two years.
Addressing the event, ErdoÄŸan said Turkey was not only self-sufficient in terms of its defense industry but that it was also pleased to share its know-how with its friends and allies.
"Turkey is a country that is happy to share with its friends all the opportunities and capabilities it has developed in the defense industry," the president said.
"We have managed to reduce our external dependency in the defense industry to 20% from 80%," ErdoÄŸan said. The number of projects in the industry has exceeded 750, compared to just 62 in 2002, lifting the budget of the projects up to $75 billion from $5.5 billion, he added.
Annual turnovers of the firms, whose number has reached 1,500 from just 56, have reached $11 billion, the president said.
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