Continuing its domestic and national moves in the defense industry without slowing down, the Machinery and Chemical Industry is launching a new generation system that will change the balance in naval operations. Developed with the “Effective-Simple-Cheap” approach, PİRANA Kamikaze Unmanned Marine Vehicle (KİDA) is preparing to become the new striking force of the Naval Forces by attacking targets with the swarm concept. Developed in accordance with asymmetric warfare conditions, PİRANA can operate both alone and in a swarm. While some vehicles occupy the enemy’s radar and defense systems during the operation, other PIRANAs with low radar signature infiltrate the target and carry out the destruction with the warhead on them. This feature makes the system extremely effective in the field. Equipped with radio frequency (RF) and satellite (SATCOM) communication systems, PİRANA can operate both remotely controlled and autonomously. The system, which can be dispatched and managed from thousands of kilometers away thanks to its satellite control capability, provides operational flexibility by eliminating geographical boundaries. Drawing attention with its speed of over 40 knots and high maneuverability, PİRANA stands out in missions that require rapid intervention. The system, which carries a 100-kilogram warhead, provides effective results even at long distances with a mission range exceeding 200 nautical miles. In tests carried out in 2025, PİRANA proved its success by destroying a 3.5-meter target with full accuracy. According to experts, PİRANA KİDA will be among the critical systems that will change the course of naval wars in the near future.

Minister of Industry and Technology Mehmet Fatih Kacır stated that the SOM-J cruise missile, developed by the Defense Industry Research and Development Institute (SAGE) of the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TÜBİTAK), hit its target accurately in the last firing test carried out with a live warhead. In his statement, Kacır stated that the cruise missile SOMJ, developed by TÜBİTAK SAGE with national resources, successfully completed its last firing test with a live warhead. Pointing out that SOM-J will significantly increase Türkiye’s deterrence in the strategic field, Kacır said, “Our national cruise missile, SOM-J, signed by TÜBİTAK SAGE, hit its target accurately in the last firing test carried out with a live warhead. Developed for critical attack missions with its low flight capability and high maneuverability, our missile will be an important force multiplier in the field with its high sensitivity and low visibility features.” Kacır stated that the integration process of SOM-J with KAAN and KIZILELMA platforms continues at full speed. Kacır shared the video showing the capabilities of the SOM-J missile on his NSosyal account.

Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloğlu stated that since the beginning of 2026, the number of applicants to become UAV pilots has increased by 236 percent compared to the first three months of last year. Minister Uraloğlu made a statement regarding the number of people applying for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) and UAV pilot licenses in Türkiye. Pointing out the increase in applications thanks to the training and studies carried out by the General Directorate of Civil Aviation (SHGM) in the field of civil aviation in recent years, Minister Uraloğlu said, “54 thousand 75 people have applied to become UAV pilots since the beginning of 2026. Compared to the first three months of last year, the number of people who want to become UAV pilots has increased by 236 percent.”

APPLICATIONS INCREASED

Reminding that DGCA has created a special registration system for UAVs within the scope of the “UAV Systems Instruction”, Minister Uraloğlu said that this provides great convenience in the permit, flight and registration of these vehicles. Minister Uraloğlu said, “The use of UAVs in different sectors such as agricultural pesticide, photography, cinema, mapping, traffic, security, shipping and health has increased considerably. We have registered 1,091 new UAVs since the beginning of the year.” Uraloğlu stated that the number of UAVs registered and in use in the UAV Registration System as of March 17, 2026 is 77 thousand 616, and shared the information: “The number of people with a UAV pilot license registered in the system has reached 1 million 655 thousand 918.”

Under the leadership of DEM Party, Newroz celebrations were held in Nevruz Park in Diyarbakır’s Bağlar district with the slogan ‘Freedom and Democracy Newroz’. DEM Party Co-Chairman Tuncer Bakırhan, Diyarbakır Metropolitan Municipality Co-Chairman Ayşe Serra Bucak Küçük and guests from abroad attended the celebrations. While the Nevruz area was being monitored from the air by helicopter, those who came to the area surrounded by barriers with a total length of 10 kilometers in an area of ​​136 thousand square meters, where approximately 12 thousand police officers were on duty, were taken in by passing through 6 main entrance gates and a 3-tiered search point. Approximately 5 tons of wood stacked in the section established in the area was set on fire for the celebrations. In his message read at the field, Abdullah Öcalan said, “We have the opportunity to live together again. Today, a new page has been opened.” DEM Party Co-Chairman Tuncer Bakırhan said, “There is a historical opportunity today. A Turkey that solves the Kurdish issue will be a strong actor in the region. Let’s not lose our future. Let’s grow a democratic ground together to win the future. Let the wounds of the past not bleed our future any further. The demand of the Kurds is not separation.”

21 March Nevruz Memorial Day Program was held at Gaziantep Kamil Ocak Sports Hall. The program named “Nevruz Yenigün Celebration”, organized under the auspices of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and hosted by Gaziantep Metropolitan Municipality, started with the protocol members in the garden lighting a fire and jumping over it. President Erdoğan’s video message was shown in the program where artist groups from Turkish states took the stage. In his message, President Erdoğan said, “I congratulate the Newroz Day of Syria, Iraq and our Iranian brothers who are struggling with the problems caused by the war these days, and I hope that this meaningful day will lead to the end of the wars in our region. I congratulate the Newroz Day of those all over the “geography of heart and culture”. I pray that Nevruz, the herald of spring and the symbol of the resurrection of nature, will bring peace, tranquility and abundance to Türkiye, the ancient geography and all humanity, and I am pleased to see that Nevruz has become a symbol of new beginnings for Türkiye as well as its neighbors. We gather around the Nevruz fire with the same feelings in all four corners of the Turkish world, as well as in our 81 provinces. As a step to make this empathy stronger, we made Nevruz a common day for all of us. In 2026, we will hopefully host the 13th Summit of our Family Council in Türkiye, which will accelerate the current momentum. On this occasion, I wholeheartedly congratulate our citizens and all our friends and brothers from Azerbaijan to Kazakhstan, from Kyrgyzstan to Uzbekistan, from Turkmenistan to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus and Hungary, on Nevruz Feast. “I hope that the spring climate brought by Nevruz will bring hope to our hearts, peace to our societies and peace to our world,” he said.

CEMRE REACHED THE HEARTS

AK Party Deputy Chairman Kürşad Zorlu, who attended the event in Gaziantep, said, “Of course, those who want to divide us and sow discord among us have existed in every era. However, no matter what they do, they will never disrupt the spirit of solidarity of our nation and our goal of integrating our internal front.” Gaziantep Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Fatma Şahin stated that they lit the fire of Nevruz and said, “Nevruz came to our hearts as a cemre. It came with love.” he said.

THE AWAKENING OF THE SOIL SPROUTS HOPE

First Lady Erdoğan noted the following in her Nevruz Holiday message shared on her NSosyal account: With the awakening of the soil, hope sprouts again, and with the arrival of spring, hearts are renewed. Nevruz is the harbinger not only of seasons, but also of unity, brotherhood and new beginnings. I hope this meaningful day brings peace to hearts, abundance to the earth, and peace to humanity. Happy Newroz Feast.

SPEAKER OF THE GNAT NUMAN KURTULMUŞ:

Nowruz; It heralds the awakening of the earth and the enlightenment of the sky. This ancient holiday, whose roots extend deep into history, is the most beautiful reflection of our common memory and unity. I hope that Nevruz will bring peace, health and abundance to our nation and all humanity.

AK PARTY DEPUTY CHAIRMAN AND AK PARTY SPOKESPERSON ÖMER ÇELİK:

We are going through one of the most difficult times in the world. Difficult times are passed with the bridge of great hopes. Today we are in Nevruz, which is the name of hope. Happy Newroz Feast, which is the good news of unity, peace, fertility, abundance and spring.

MINISTER OF CULTURE AND TOURISM MEHMET NURİ ERSOY:

The unity of the ancient Turkish nation will only be possible and permanent through its awareness of its own self, embracing the historical and cultural values ​​that created this self, and of course keeping them alive and passing them on to their generations.

The Eid celebration program organized by IHH Humanitarian Relief Foundation made children happy in Gaza, which is going through difficult times under Israeli attacks and blockade. IHH Humanitarian Relief Foundation, which delivered food, hot meals and humanitarian aid to tens of thousands of families all over Gaza during the month of Ramadan, did not forget the children in the region during the Eid. A special “Eid and Festive Program” was organized for the children of Gaza, who had a bittersweet holiday in the shadow of occupation and genocide.

Gazan children, who suffered great trauma due to the heavy embargo and attacks imposed by Israel, were able to get away from the gloomy atmosphere of war, at least to some extent, with the activities held in the festival area. Children had fun with the shows of colorful mascots and experienced the joy of the holiday by playing games with their peers. As part of the event, special treats and holiday gifts prepared by IHH teams were distributed to children. In the program, which attracted intense participation, foundation volunteers paid close attention to the children and provided them with moral support.