At the conclusion of Teknofest Blue Homeland, Turkish officials underscored the nation’s dedication to enhancing maritime security, defense capabilities, and technological self-reliance. Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz emphasized the increasing significance of safeguarding Türkiye’s maritime interests, referred to as the “Blue Homeland,” in the face of rising geopolitical tensions, security threats, and competition over critical technologies, energy resources, and trade routes.
During the event at Gölcük Naval Shipyard, a display of 37 vessels and four aircraft, including the TCG Anadolu, TCG Istanbul frigate, TCG Derya, and Murat Reis submarine, was showcased alongside domestically developed unmanned maritime systems. Yılmaz highlighted Türkiye’s progress in integrating manned and unmanned platforms through advancements in artificial intelligence, autonomous systems, advanced sensors, and secure communications.
Yılmaz further noted that the localization rate of the country’s defense industry has surpassed 80%, reflecting Türkiye’s ambition to solidify its status among the world’s leading defense exporters. This achievement underscores the nation’s commitment to reducing dependency on foreign technologies and enhancing its defense capabilities.
Teknofest Blue Homeland also served as a platform for competitions centered on unmanned underwater systems, maritime vehicles, and underwater technologies. These competitions aim to inspire and cultivate the next generation of engineers and innovators in Türkiye, fostering a spirit of technological innovation and development among the youth.