Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan.29
By Rufiz Hafizoglu - Trend:
Turkey will continue developing its defense industry, the country's Defense Minister Ismet Yilmaz said, Anadolu agency reported on Jan.29.
He said Turkey plans to start manufacturing domestic fighter aircraft and there is no doubt that the country will be able to implement the project.
It is not an easy task to develop the defense industry, however, it is important for improving Turkey's defensibility, said Yilmaz.
Previously, Turkish Minister for Science, Industry and Technology Fikri Isik also said that the country intends to develop its defense industry. He said the country should be fully independent in the defense industry sphere.
Turkey's defense industry has focused on developing and manufacturing its own products in recent years. The country succeeded to reach 54-percent self-sufficiency in defense industry sphere.
Also previous reports indicate that Turkey aims to produce a laser weapon. The proposal to create such a weapon was put forward by the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey in May 2013. Turkish navy will be equipped with these weapons. Reportedly, Turkish government has allocated 120 million TRY to produce the weapon.
The work within the project will last for six years. Two models of the laser weapon will be created at the first stage. The weapon will be tested in the Black Sea.
Edited by SI
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