Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan announced new plans to boost Turkey’s missile stockpiles and strengthen its deterrence posture, as regional tensions escalate following Israel’s recent strikes on Iranian nuclear sites.
Speaking after a Cabinet meeting on Monday, Erdoğan said that Israel’s attack—ostensibly targeting Iran’s nuclear infrastructure—had “far-reaching and insidious objectives that are becoming clearer by the day.”
“We are now planning missile production to elevate our medium- and long-range missile stocks to a deterrent level,” Erdoğan stated. “In the near future, we will possess a defense capacity so robust that no one will dare to challenge us.”
Without naming specific systems, Erdoğan noted that Turkish defense industry production has reached a point where “we can now manufacture in both quality and quantity to enhance our deterrence.”
He also emphasized that unless a nation is self-reliant—militarily, economically, and politically—it cannot sustain deterrence. “If you are not strong across the board, you will always be at risk,” he said.
Addressing the wider regional situation, Erdoğan reaffirmed Turkey’s stance that disputes over Iran’s nuclear program must be resolved diplomatically, not through force. He also said Ankara is actively engaging in shuttle diplomacy to de-escalate tensions between Israel and Iran.
Erdoğan warned that miscalculated moves in the region could unleash further disasters. “Such crises tend to end with the downfall of the aggressors,” he said.
While condemning Israel’s actions in Gaza and the broader region, Erdoğan said Turkey remains committed to shielding itself from the negative fallout of regional instability.
He concluded by stating that the Turkish government, backed by the ruling alliance, will remain the guarantor of the country’s sovereignty and future during these turbulent times.
