Turkey's Defense Minister: 'If We Don't Get F-35s, We Will Produce Our Own Fighters'

Turkey's Defense Minister Hulusi Akar has stated that if they are not sold the American F-35 fighter jets, they will create their own aircraft, reports Ermeni Haber.

Akar emphasized that Turkey is currently capable of producing its own weapons and ammunition. "Milgem" warships, "Altay" tanks, "Fırtına" artillery systems, "Atak" attack helicopters, strike and non-strike drones, "Hürküş" training aircraft, the recently flown and soon-to-be serial manufactured "Gökbey" multifunctional helicopter, and other military technologies produced by Turkey highlight the nation's focus on domestic and indigenous production, he said.

He added that these efforts will continue with even greater momentum. "If we don't get the F-35s, that’s fine, we will produce the 'Hürküş' and we will create a fighter jet. If the 'Patriot' isn't available, we are producing 'Siper', our own air defense system. And we will improve it further," he asserted.