The Defense Industry Exhibition, organized as part of the EFES 2026 Joint Combined Live-Fire Field Exercise, welcomed visitors during its designated public day event. Showcasing technologies developed through domestic and national capabilities, the exhibition offered citizens a unique opportunity to closely examine cutting-edge military and technological products.
Visitors to the exhibition grounds first observed the final preparation and operational phases of the EFES 2026 Exercise. They subsequently toured the technology stands, where they explored a broad array of military equipment and domestically produced weapon systems, ranging from unmanned aerial vehicles and rocket systems to robotic dogs, tanks, air defense systems, kamikaze drones, and various indigenous firearms.
Citizens received detailed briefings from officials regarding the technical capabilities of the exhibited systems, allowing them to witness firsthand the level of advancement achieved by Türkiye’s domestic defense industry.
“Overwhelming Public Interest”
Emine Demirel, one of the visitors touring the exhibition, stated that she was deeply moved and proud of the progress achieved by the Turkish defense industry. She remarked:
“May God bless everyone who contributed to this effort. Our defense industry has reached such an advanced level that the world now trembles before us. They say, ‘There is now a Türkiye whose defense industry is powerful.’ We take immense pride in our KAAN fighter jets, our tanks, our aircraft, and all of our unmanned aerial vehicles.”
“A Source of Pride for Turks Abroad”
Mehtap Tanrısever, who attended the exhibition from Germany, emphasized that the experience carried a particularly profound meaning for Turkish citizens living abroad. She stated:
“Being Turkish is, in itself, a unique source of pride for us. As you know, we still face certain difficulties abroad because racism unfortunately persists there. When we come here and witness achievements like these, we feel even prouder to be Turkish. We have only just arrived at the exhibition area, yet we cannot take our eyes off these remarkable creations. The scale and quality of the systems on display are astonishing — I am genuinely in awe. We are filled with tremendous excitement.”
“Domestic Weapon Systems Drew Significant Attention”
Samet Kuran, another visitor, noted that the tanks and weapon systems on display were highly impressive and that seeing Türkiye’s domestically produced munitions up close was an exhilarating experience for him.
“We saw the weapons systems, and they were truly remarkable. Being able to see the country’s advanced munitions and military vehicles up close, touch them, and learn about their details naturally excites people. My goal is to enter the Air Force Academy and become a pilot. There is so much here that deserves admiration and praise. Visiting each stand individually, discovering different technologies, and sensing even a fraction of the emotions experienced by soldiers is an incredible feeling. I believe everyone should come here and experience this atmosphere firsthand.”
Ata Görmenoğlu also stated that the exhibition allowed him to personally observe the level Türkiye’s technology sector has reached. He said:
“I had the opportunity to experience renowned domestic brands such as Sarsılmaz. We were able to see just how advanced we have become. Our tanks, in particular, demonstrate the extent of our superiority in military technology. It is impossible not to feel proud when you come here. Both in terms of weapons technology and military vehicles, we are highly advanced, and that becomes immediately apparent once you visit the exhibition. There is so much to say about this place that words alone cannot fully capture it. Everyone who has the opportunity should come and experience it themselves. Personally, armored vehicles and firearm technologies fascinated me the most. I believe they have reached an exceptionally advanced level. Our tanks are also extremely sophisticated and incorporate numerous complex systems, but the feeling evoked by armored vehicles and firearms is truly unique.”
