President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan made statements at the SAHA EXPO 2026 International Defense, Aerospace Industry Fair Closing Programme.

The highlights of President Erdoğan’s statements are as follows:

I would like to welcome the esteemed ministers, deputy ministers, chiefs of general staff, force commanders, delegation members and all our visitors who participated in SAHA 2026 from different parts of the world. Our fair, which was held under our auspices and has now become a brand in its field; I hope it will be beneficial for our defense sector and all our participating companies. I would like to congratulate all our institutions, companies and sponsors who contributed to the organization of the fair, in which more than 1700 companies from 120 countries of the world participated.

I extend my heartfelt congratulations to all our companies that showed up at the fair with the products they developed in the fields of land, sea, aviation, space and security. I wholeheartedly congratulate the SAHA Istanbul family, which is the largest defense and aerospace cluster in Europe with the active participation of more than 1300 member companies and 30 universities within its structure.

President Erdoğan: “The star of the Turkish Defense Industry is shining” | Video

Our Presidency of Defense Industries, which ensures that more than 4500 companies in the sector continue their activities in harmony and coordination; I sincerely congratulate our companies, universities and organizations that have signed this success story, which is the result of collective efforts. I would like to express my gratitude to all the veterans of our defense industry, from engineers to software developers, from workers to technicians. May God always grant you success; May these efforts be beneficial for both our country, our friends and brothers, and humanity.

203 PRODUCTS WERE DISPLAYED FOR THE FIRST TIME AT SAHA 2026

Thank God, we are proud to crown our 5th fair this year with new records, new agreements and new collaborations. A total of 1763 companies, 1500 domestic and 263 foreign, participated in SAHA 2026. At the fair, 203 products that impress with their new features were showcased for the first time. 192 official delegations and 108 procurement delegations had the opportunity to establish direct contact with our sector. A total business volume of 8 billion dollars was reached with 182 agreements signed. 6 billion dollars of this figure consisted of direct export-oriented agreements. When we look at the whole picture, the view we encounter is exactly this: The Turkish defense industry has now become a popular, reliable, carefully monitored and preferred ecosystem not only in its region but also on a global scale.

Türkiye HAS PROUDLY MADE ITS NAME AMONG THE COUNTRIES WHERE ITS STAR SHINE BRIGHTLY

Türkiye; It has proudly written its name among the countries that shine brightly at the global level in the fields of defence, aviation and space. Behind this table of success is undoubtedly the labor of decades, the efforts of more than a hundred thousand sons of the country who work day and night with a dedicated spirit, the support of our nation and the will of our state. Hopefully, we will be in better places, write greater success stories together, and work tirelessly until we achieve the goal of a fully independent Türkiye in the defense industry.

“SECURITY CANNOT BE CONFINED TO ONLY A SINGLE AREA ANY LONGER”

While our world is changing rapidly and our war industry is going through a radical transformation process, the concept of security is of course also affected by this. First of all, we can all see this: At the point we have reached today, security can no longer be confined to a single area, a single field, or a single branch of industry. From the factory to the testing process, from the data center to the academy, from the supply chain to feedback; Security is a holistic concept in every aspect. Likewise, today a country’s deterrence has already exceeded the threshold measured by the number of platforms it has.

It is important which software you use to manage the platforms in your inventory, which sensors you use on them, which engines you develop for these products, and which ammunition you can produce and in what time. It determines how prepared you are against cyber attacks, electronic warfare threats, unmanned systems and hybrid warfare methods. We have witnessed these facts once again in the recent war and conflict environments in our region and around the world. We have all witnessed, and continue to witness, how the battlefield is transforming in a wide range of areas, from artificial intelligence to unmanned vehicles, from autonomous systems to decision support mechanisms.

“ONE OF THE FOUNDING ACTORS OF THE PERIOD IS UNDOUBTEDLY TURKEY”

I would like to express this with great pride today: Turkey is undoubtedly one of the founding actors of this new era, where multi-layered and integrated systems replace conventional power elements. Türkiye today; producing new generation National Combat Aircraft, Unmanned Combat Aircraft, helicopters, UAVs and SIHAs; Developing electronic warfare systems, satellite technology, warfare defense systems and radar; manufactures and builds tanks, rockets, missiles, armored vehicles, warships and unmanned marine vehicles; In short, it is a country that can produce its own software, platforms and systems that bear its own signature at every level, from the depths of the sea to the void of space. Türkiye is a state that has the power and power to crush any hostile element that dares to threaten its independence and future.

Both our proud products exhibited at SAHA 2026 and our export figures announced last week clearly explain what we mean and also reveal the level our country has reached. You have already seen the products, projects, designs and works that would take hours or days if we tried to list them one by one here. You have personally witnessed what can be achieved when faith, will, courage, effort, dedication and vision come together.

THOSE WHO SAID “FISH ARE SCARED” VISITED THE FAIR

Those who said ‘The fish are scared’ visited the fair. The stronger the national structure, the stronger the security of a country. If there is a leak inside and there is a breach in the internal front, the nation cannot survive. The most strategic step we have taken today towards fortifying our inner castle is the terror-free Türkiye process and the goal of a terror-free zone, which has completed its 18th month.

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s wife, Emine Erdoğan, invited citizens to the Zero Waste Festival to be held at Atatürk Airport between 4-7 June.

In her post on her NSosyal account, First Lady Erdoğan stated that the Zero Waste Festival, which will be held for the first time this year within the scope of Istanbul Zero Waste Week, in cooperation with the Zero Waste Foundation and the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, is a strong awareness movement. First Lady Erdoğan said, “The festival, which came to life with the theme of ‘Efficiency in energy, transformation in the future’, is a meaningful step that blends the knowledge of tradition with the needs of the future and brings together people of all ages around a common responsibility. I invite all our citizens to be a part of this transformation movement for a more livable world.”

The post stated that the Zero Waste Festival will be held at Atatürk Airport between 4-7 June, and also included a video prepared within the scope of the festival.

The Zero Waste Festival, which will be held for the first time this year within the scope of Istanbul Zero Waste Week, in cooperation with our Zero Waste Foundation and our Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, is a strong awareness movement.

Coming to life with the theme “Energy Efficiency, Transformation in the Future”… pic.twitter.com/OnY5GotlxP

— Emine Erdoğan (@EmineErdogan) May 8, 2026

Thanks to the successful work carried out in the last month, the National Intelligence Organization had captured two people for whom an arrest warrant was issued. Danish drug dealer Matthias Malik Lammers, who was wanted internationally with a red notice by the Danish judicial authorities, was caught in Antalya on April 15, as a result of MİT’s field and technical analysis.

THREE SUCCESSFUL OPERATIONS IN THE LAST MONTH

In another critical operation, Indian citizen Salim Dola, who was wanted by INTERPOL with a red notice, was detained in an operation carried out in Istanbul on April 24, in line with the findings of MİT.

DRUG BARON CAUGHT IN MERSIN

Finally, it started an operation to capture Austrian drug lord Elias Bensoltane, for whom INTERPOL issued a “Red Notice” decision. As a result of the analyzes carried out by MİT, his current location information, full address, contact/affiliate persons and the GSM line he used for his contacts were determined.

CAUGHT WITH FAKE ID’S

It was determined that Bensoltane was hidden in a luxury residence in Mersin Yenişehir. The button was pressed for the operation under the coordination of Istanbul and Mersin Provincial Police Department Anti-Narcotic Crimes Branch teams. A raid supported by special operations was carried out at 03.30 on May 7. Baron Elias Bensoltane was detained. While a large-scale search was carried out at the address during the operation, many fake IDs issued in his name and documents from different countries were found on the suspect.

Izmir Gaziemir Municipality May ordinary meeting was marked by allegations of ATM employees. The ATM employee allegations, which came to Türkiye’s agenda with the bribery operation carried out in Uşak Municipality and later spread to Bornova and Buca municipalities, caused controversy in CHP’s Gaziemir Municipality. Speaking at the May session of the Municipal Council, MHP Group Deputy Chairman Selahattin Şahin said to CHP Mayor Ünal Işık; “How many ATM workers are there in Gaziemir Municipality?” he asked. Reminding that one of the lovers of former CHP Uşak Mayor Özkan Yalım, who was dismissed by the Ministry of Internal Affairs, worked as an ATM in Bornova Municipality, Şahin said:

WHO WILL PAY THE DAMAGES?
“Lastly, it was reported in the press that the President of CHP Izmir Provincial Women’s Branch was an ATM in Buca Municipality. The situation is even worse in Gaziemir. A relative of CHP Malatya Deputy Veli Ağbaba was made an exceptional civil servant in Gaziemir Municipality. His salary was paid, but we did not see him once. As far as we have learned, it is claimed that he transferred to Antalya Metropolitan Municipality. On which days was he in our municipality during his employment? Is it true that he gets paid before coming to work?

If these allegations are true, will you, like the Mayor of Bornova, pay for the public damage incurred out of your own pocket? You constantly bring in personnel from other institutions. Don’t we have any personnel in Gaziemir Municipality who are competent to do these jobs? While talking about savings, shouldn’t our current personnel be evaluated in order to use public resources effectively? Or are you paying your diet debt to those who nominated you?.” Gaziemir Mayor Ünal Işık, who was angry with Şahin’s words, claimed that the allegations did not reflect the truth.

The foundation of İkizce 2nd Regional Youth Center, which will be implemented by Malatya Metropolitan Municipality with the support of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, was laid with a ceremony. Malatya Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Sami Er, Yeşilyurt Mayor İlhan Geçit, Battalgazi Mayor Bayram Taşkın, İnönü University Rector Nusret Akpolat, Youth and Sports Provincial Director Ebu Bekir Kayhan and many guests attended the ceremony.

“A BRAND NEW CITY”
Speaking at the ceremony, Mayor Er stated that they have given priority to healing the wounds of the earthquake since the first day they took office, and said that İkizce region has become one of the new life centers of Malatya. Stating that 28 thousand houses have been built in the region, Er noted that transportation and infrastructure investments are continuing simultaneously. Stating that the aim is to reduce traffic congestion with the second viaduct project, Er said that work on alternative transportation routes continues. Explaining that the youth center to be built in İkizce 2nd Region will have a closed area of ​​2 thousand 341 square meters, Mayor Er said that sports, cultural, social and educational activities will be carried out within the center. Stating that they aim to make Malatya a city of sports and libraries, Er stated that the construction of new sports facilities as well as youth, sports and culture centers throughout the city is continuing. Yeşilyurt Mayor İlhan Geçit stated that İkizce has become one of the important living centers of Malatya with its planned construction and said that the region will be further strengthened with social reinforcement areas. After the prayer after the speeches, the protocol members pressed the button and the first mortar was poured and the foundation of İkizce 2nd Regional Youth Center was laid.

The camp program, which has become a tradition in the AK Party, will bring together the party management, MPs and cabinet members this year, as every year. The foreign policy topic is expected to come to the fore as the camp, planned to be held towards the end of June, will take place before the NATO Summit. It is stated that Türkiye’s security policies, regional developments, defense industry investments and diplomatic contacts within NATO will be among the main agenda items of the camp.

Last year, the AK Party changed the camp format and held simultaneous sessions in four different halls, separating the ministers according to their fields.

Party staff state that the camp will not only be a routine meeting, but also an important consultation ground where the political strategy of the new era will be shaped. It is expected that evaluations regarding domestic politics, especially the economy, new constitutional studies, the Terror-Free Türkiye process and the organizational structure will be discussed comprehensively.

It is stated that during the camp process, where MPs will convey the demands from their constituencies directly to the ministers, detailed presentations regarding public expectations will also be made.

It is stated that President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan attaches special importance to the camp process. Erdoğan is expected to make comprehensive evaluations of both the cabinet members and the party organization at the meetings.

THE ADDRESS OF THE CAMP HAS NOT BEEN CLEAR

AK Party sources state that studies on the location of the camp are continuing and that different provinces are being evaluated as well as Kızılcahamam, and that the date and location details of the program will be clarified in the coming days.