President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan delivered a speech at the groundbreaking ceremony of BMC Production and Technology Base in the Karasu district of Sakarya and conducted the test run of a first domestically-produced 600-hp engine.

"I thank those who have contributed to the construction of this factory with their labor, capital, and ideas," said the President by offering his gratitude to Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani of Qatar for trusting in Turkiye's investment potential.

"We will never forget our Qatari brothers and sisters' solidarity with us on almost all matters from the July 15 coup attempt to the attacks launched via exchange rates in August," President Erdoğan said.

President Erdoğan stated that he hopes the cooperation between Turkiye and Qatar will continue to grow stronger in all areas from the defense industry to trade, from tourism to energy.

"As a monument of peace and stability in a region of strategic importance, Turkiye is a tower of strength not only to our people but also to all friendly and brotherly peoples."

"These lands have always been a safe haven for those in need, for those oppressed and persecuted because of their religions, languages, beliefs and ethnic identities," President Erdoğan underlined.

"Turkiye has to be strong in terms of its military capacity, economic, political and diplomatic capabilities," President Erdoğan underscored.

"We maintain have a strong deterrence, especially in the defense industry. Turkiye has to rise beyond being self-sufficient in all critical areas, particularly the defense industry, and reach the level of meeting all its friends' needs."

President Erdoğan noted that they have lowered Turkiye's external dependence in the defense industry, which was some 80% in 2002, to some 35% with the steps they have taken.

"Today, Turkish defense industry companies are exporting armored vehicles, air defense systems, rocket systems, simulators, coast guard ships, communication and command and control systems and software," President Erdoğan noted.

"The fusion of the public sector's means with private sector's experience and dynamism let to this accomplishment," he said. (ILKHA)