Turkey is forced to depend on the West, despite the fact that it has a vast and powerful defense industrial infrastructure. While Turkey has made its own weapons like ATAK helicopters but imports some of the advanced engine technology for aircrafts. Turkey must produce its own engines in order to become fully self-sufficient.
Turkey's defense industries have gained momentum in recent years. The Turkish Armed Forces Foundation (TFF) launched the Directorate of Defense Industries (DDI) in 1985. TFF has over the years supported indigenous weapons production. TFF can now provide conventional weapons for its air and land forces. The TFF also has a variety of unmanned aerial vehicles and missiles that it can use to enhance its military capabilities.
Baykar Defence manufactures the ATAK helicopter. It has been successfully tested for combat. A new weapon, the TRLG230 laserguided missile that can be fired out of an UAV is also available. TAK–Tesir (TAK-Murac), TAK–Sep and TAK–Tesir (TAK-Tesir) are some of the many mine-resistant, ambush-protected vehicle designs that were developed by the Turkish Defense Industry.
High-end technological achievements also include 5th generation planes, airborne early detection and intelligence aircrafts and defensive strategic gun systems. These technological achievements are critical to Turkey's continued military power. Although Turkey is not an American member, it has entered into knowledge-sharing agreements (with more than 40%) with the 25 largest arms companies.
Turkish military decision makers have also created a variety new concepts and strategies to enhance their combat effectiveness. The TF, for example, has integrated drones and land-based fire support elements to increase their effectiveness. For the Turkish Armed Forces, drones have been a force multiplier. Drones have also helped to reduce the number of Turkish casualties. The TF has also increased its proxy warfare capabilities.
The TF has also made advancements in the field of guided munitions. This includes the introduction the Koral jamming technology, which is intended to counter air defense radars. It is being used by Turkish Air Force to disrupt systems of air defense in other countries. Other achievements include the TRLG-230 laser-guided rocket, which can hit targets marked by UAVs on the ground.
Although the Turkish Armed Forces made significant progress in developing a variety Turkish weapons it still has much work to do to create its own weapons. The TF is less dependent on its Western allies, however. Several countries are still able to reach Turkish territory with missiles, and the Turkish government will need to ensure that they are protected in the event of a conflict. The Turkish government will also need to address its defense deficiencies as the Middle East becomes dangerous and volatile for military operations.
The TF has also created new concepts of operation that have contributed to the TF's expeditionary position. The Turkish TF has been forward deployed to a wide axis.