President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan saluted Turkey’s naval fleet during a ceremonial passage along the Bosphorus, held under the framework of TEKNOFEST Blue Homeland. The event showcased the strength and technological advancement of the Turkish Navy, featuring the country’s domestically built flagship TCG Anadolu, alongside TCG Savarona, TCG Oruçreis, TCG İstanbul, TCG Heybeliada, TCG Kalkan, TCG Alanya, TCG Sancaktar, and the submarine TCG Hızırreis.
The parade began near the Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge and continued along Sarıyer, Tarabya, Emirgan, Kanlıca, Rumeli Hisarı, Kandilli, Bebek, and Ortaköy, before passing under the 15 July Martyrs Bridge. Large crowds of citizens lined the shores to watch, capturing the moment on their phones and sharing images with the hashtag #TeknofestMaviVatan.
From his Dolmabahçe Office, President Erdoğan observed the naval procession, accompanied by First Lady Emine Erdoğan. The vessels’ crews honored the President with a 21-gun salute and the traditional naval greeting known as çimariva. Waving back to sailors and spectators aboard, Erdoğan held a phone conversation with Naval Forces Commander Admiral Ercüment Tatlıoğlu, stating:
“Together with our Minister of Defense and all our Commanders, we salute you.”
During the passage, children aboard TCG Anadolu released red-and-white balloons into the sky, while young participants carrying Turkish flags and TEKNOFEST banners unfurled a sign reading: “Blue Homeland – 30-31 August 2025 – Istanbul Naval Shipyard Command”, accompanied by the hashtag #MilliTeknolojiHamlesi (“National Technology Initiative”).
First Lady Emine Erdoğan wore a white outfit, symbolically reflecting the traditional color of the Turkish Naval Forces.
The TEKNOFEST Blue Homeland naval parade concluded following President Erdoğan’s salute to the fleet.
