Turkey to boost missile arsenal, reinforce deterrence: Erdogan
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President Erdogan says Turkey is ramping up missile production to strengthen its defense capabilities, aiming for a deterrent level no adversary can challenge.
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Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan listens to a question during a news conference after talks with his Serbian counterpart Aleksandar Vucic in Belgrade, Serbia, Oct. 11, 2024 (AP)
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced that Turkey is moving forward with plans to increase its medium- and long-range missile production to reach a credible level of deterrence.
“We are now planning missile production to raise our medium- and long-range stockpiles to a credible deterrent level,” Erdogan said, adding, “Soon, we’ll reach a defense capacity that no one will dare challenge.”
Erdogan noted that Turkey has entered a new phase, highlighting, “We’ve begun producing our systems in quantities that truly reinforce our deterrence.”
Underscoring the importance of comprehensive strength, Erdogan stressed, “If you’re not strong politically, socially, economically, and militarily, you lack deterrence, and you’re vulnerable.”
“As a nation, we’d rather die than live in shame. Better to rest with honor beneath the soil than live dishonorably above it,” he stressed.
Turkey's involvement in regional conflicts
This comes amid Turkey's involvement in rising tensions and conflicts in the region, particularly in Syria and Somalia, as well as regional wars initiated by "Israel" in Gaza, Lebanon, and now Iran.
Somalia
According to an informed source, cited by Bloomberg, Turkey will deliver T129 Atak helicopters to Somalia’s navy under a 10-year defense pact signed earlier this year as part of a broader initiative by Ankara to strengthen Somalia’s security forces and counter terrorism threats in the Horn of Africa.
According to Turkish defense officials, their support is aimed at maintaining security and stability in Somalia, adding that the cooperation also includes protective measures for Turkish units and economic projects in the region.
Syria
Moreover, Turkey is strengthening its military presence in Syria by providing training and advisory support to the new Syrian armed forces, with no immediate plans to withdraw or relocate its troops, Turkish Defense Minister Yasar Guler told Reuters.
Turkey currently controls large areas of northern Syria and has established multiple military bases following several cross-border operations targeting Kurdish militants it considers "terrorist threats."
Possible confrontation with 'Israel'
Turkey has also expressed security concerns as "Israel" continues initiating and expanding its war in the region, coining the occupation a "terrorist state" that is destabilizing the region.
In April, a senior Israeli source was quoted by Israeli media as saying that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu assured US President Donald Trump that "Israel" would not hesitate to "confront Turkey militarily if necessary."
The source divulged that "Israel does not seek a conflict with Turkey, but will not hesitate to act if necessary to defend itself."
Turkey had scoped out at least three air bases in Syria for possible force deployment under a planned joint defense pact before "Israel" launched airstrikes on the same sites, four people familiar with the matter stated, according to Reuters.
Read more: Turkiye starts construction of rocket launch facility in Somalia
