“Vision Talks” Event Held with Young Engineers Within the Scope of YTB Türkiye Internships Program

Minister of Industry and Technology Mehmet Fatih Kacır, YTB President Abdulhadi Turus, ROKETSAN General Manager Murat İkinci, internship participants, and numerous guests attended the program organized at YTB.

Speaking at the program, Minister of Industry and Technology Mehmet Fatih Kacır stated that YTB implements very important programs and projects to strengthen the ties of young people who have migrated to all corners of the world with Türkiye.

Kacır noted that the young people participating in the internship program find the opportunity to closely get to know Türkiye’s leading institutions. He expressed that they observed the world’s most advanced radar systems, air defense systems, and electro-optical systems at ASELSAN, as well as aviation platforms, aircraft, helicopters, and unmanned aerial vehicles equipped with advanced technologies at Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI/TUSAŞ).

Noting that they saw the newest missile systems, cruise missiles, and ballistic missiles at ROKETSAN, the world’s most advanced simulation systems at HAVELSAN, and all elements of the National Frigate at STM, Kacır stated that the youth saw not only systems and technologies in these institutions, but also a faith and spirit that they could not see anywhere else in the world.

Kacır said: “Here, this excitement we feel to carry the targets of the Century of Türkiye—which we believe you will also protect—to the Turkish nation, the most honorable nation in history, will continue to increase. From now on in your career, whether you are in Türkiye or in any corner of the world, you will protect this excitement, faith, belief, and enthusiasm in the strongest way. I see this belief in your eyes.”

Kacır stated that through the internship, the youth closely experienced how far Türkiye has come within the scope of the National Technology Initiative.

YTB President Abdulhadi Turus, on the other hand, conveyed that they came together with young people belonging to the Turkish diaspora living abroad who completed internships at Türkiye’s leading defense industry institutions as part of the Türkiye Internships Program.

Stating, “Our program, which started in 2023 in cooperation with TAI (TUSAŞ), has reached a broader structure today with the contributions of TAI, ASELSAN, HAVELSAN, ROKETSAN, and STM. In 2026, we host 109 of our young people studying in fields such as engineering, software, and space sciences from 11 different countries in Türkiye,” Turus noted that the participating youth completed internships at leading institutions of the defense industry and met with engineers. He said that the youth also found the opportunity to see production and technology processes on-site.

Turus expressed that the participating interns got to know Türkiye’s technology ecosystem closely through technical visits and gatherings such as TEKNOFEST. He noted that thanks to cultural programs, they also found the opportunity to closely see Türkiye’s history, cities, and cultural accumulation.

Stating that the program carries a meaning far beyond a technical internship for them, Turus said: “Our main objective is for our young people to get to know Türkiye’s production capacity, establish professional ties, and for the relationship starting here to transform into new collaborations in the future.”

Turus expressed that the defense industry does not consist merely of aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles, missiles, or various defense systems. He stated that behind these products lies a vast knowledge and production network extending from engineering to software, from R&D to production, and from design to supply chain.

Stating that this network lies at the center of the breakthrough in the field of defense industry, Turus noted that it simultaneously constitutes the main dynamo point on the path to achieving Türkiye’s technological independence.

Stating that one of the fundamental elements of the goals set forth by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in line with the Century of Türkiye vision is raising generations that rely on their own capabilities, think, research, produce, and stand before the world with self-confidence, Turus emphasized that defense industry, science, education, culture, and art are complementary parts of the grand structure that will carry tomorrow’s Türkiye.

Turus stated that as YTB, their primary purpose is to bring together the experience possessed in every aspect of life by Turkish citizens who study, work, and gain experience in different countries of the world with Türkiye.

Expressing that they do not view the human resource in different parts of the world as disconnected from each other, Turus stated that they aim to bring this human resource together with each other and with Türkiye within a strong production network.

Turus added: “I wish that the Türkiye Internships will not remain limited to the few weeks you spend here, but that the friendships, professional relations, and your bond with Türkiye you have established here will continue for years to come.”

Turus thanked the defense industry institutions, the Ministry of Industry and Technology, the Defence Industry Agency (SSB), TAI, ASELSAN, HAVELSAN, ROKETSAN, and STM for contributing to the program.

ROKETSAN General Manager Murat İkinci also stated that Türkiye has written a success story admired by the world in the defense industry over the past 20 years. Explaining that they build the world’s most advanced missiles, UAVs, tanks, ships, and helicopters in Türkiye, İkinci expressed that one of the fundamental elements of the success in the defense industry is the young engineering staff.

Stating, “We are writing a success story admired by the world with an engineering staff whose average age is 36,” İkinci noted that young engineers play an important role in delivering products capable of competing technologically with many developed countries.

İkinci noted that for this success to be continuous and sustainable, there is a need for the country’s youth and students who will contribute. He emphasized that Türkiye needs a young human resource that is integrated with the world and follows global developments.

Turkish scientist Ergün Kırlıkovalı, known for his contributions to the work on the “stealth coating” that allows the F-35 and B-2 Spirit—regarded among the world's most advanced fighter jets—to hide from radars, also gave a speech at the event. Stating, “Türkiye always holds a place in my heart and mind,” Kırlıkovalı shared his life story and experiences with the youth. He presented examples from his own life regarding situations that young people might encounter.

Azra Kılavuz from Germany and Vahit Samet Ergül from France, who attended the program as interns, also delivered speeches at the event.

The Türkiye Internships Program enables young people belonging to the Turkish diaspora living abroad to gain professional experience at Türkiye’s leading defense industry institutions. Within the scope of the program, 115 young engineers qualified to complete internships this year.