The defence industry has grown in spite of, not because of RTE. Due to the bureaucratic structure which keeps it afloat, it is one of the only things which are doing well in Turkey.
The defence industry is what it is because of SSM, now known as SSB. It was established in 1985.
Let's look at some products and their history:
And these are just some examples of vehicles and complete systems. What's important is that knowledge, experience and production capabilities were beginning to take off. Subsystems made by companies like Aselsan are what truly propelled the Turkish Defence industry... By the 2010s, we absolutely had no excuse not to pursue greater heights. When you can produce almost every subsystem for aircraft, land vehicles, sea vessels and missiles, naturally, you decide to build them.
- T-122 Sakarya: in service since 1997
- T-300 Kasirga: in service since 2000
- J-600T Yildirim: produced in 1998, in service in 2001, revealed to public in 2007
- Otokar Kobra: In service since 1997
- Otokar Akrep: In service since 1994
- Panter towed artillery: Designed early 90s, in service since 2000
- MILGEM project: Research began in mid 90s
- Altay Tank: Work kicked off in mid 90s, to ensure the necessary infrastructure was in place under "MİTÜP – Milli Tank Üretimi Projesi".
- TCG Osman Gazi: In service since 1994
Now with the economy gone to sh1t and the nation full of millions of immigrants, the only thing RTE can brag about is an industry which grew in spite of him. Going to a show with a flightsuit and speaking big isn't fooling anyone.
It is only recently that we have dropped the terrorism problem from our list of problems.
Number of defense projects went from 65 to 750.
I am not listening to delusional talk anymore.