Istanbul’s Bosphorus hosted a major naval parade on the eve of Victory Day (August 30) as part of Teknofest Blue Homeland, with the flagship TCG Anadolu leading eight warships and a submarine through the strait. The event drew thousands of spectators, while also providing the stage for significant defense industry announcements.
Speaking to Habertürk during the ceremony, President of the Defense Industries (SSB) Prof. Dr. Haluk Görgün highlighted both Turkey’s current achievements and its ambitious future plans.
Teknofest as a symbol of confidence
Görgün described Teknofest—the country’s largest aerospace and technology festival—as a “critical showcase” of Turkey’s defense capabilities:
“Teknofest is one of the most important platforms where we demonstrate the self-confidence, skills, and enthusiasm of our youth in the defense industry,” he said.
Localization surpasses 80%
Pointing to the steady rise in localization over the past two decades, Görgün noted that today more than 80% of Turkey’s defense industry is domestically produced. He underlined the strong support of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and the dynamism of young engineers:
“We have a young generation. The average age of employees in the defense industry is 34. This ensures both dynamism and confidence in the future.”
Next horizons: a larger aircraft carrier and indigenous submarine
Görgün revealed that following the commissioning of TCG Anadolu, Turkey has begun preparations for a new aircraft carrier approximately 300 meters in length. He also confirmed that decisions have been finalized for a national submarine project, with the design process already underway.
“Turkey is among the few countries in the world capable of simultaneously producing numerous high-tech platforms. Currently, around 40 platforms are in production, and the budget for our Blue Homeland naval projects alone exceeds €11 billion,” Görgün stated.
Atatürk’s Savarona returns to sea
Among the highlights of the parade was the Savarona, the yacht where Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, founder of the Turkish Republic, spent his final days. Recently restored, the vessel is set to re-enter service in a multi-functional role, symbolizing both historical legacy and technological renewal.
The Teknofest Blue Homeland naval parade, blending national pride with future vision, underscored Turkey’s growing ambitions as a global defense power.
