BAKU, Azerbaijan, Jan. 8
By Rufiz Hafizoglu – Trend:
The export of products of Turkey's defense industry increased by 34.6 percent from January through December 2019 compared to the same period of 2018 and amounted to over $2 billion, Turkish Ministry of Trade told Trend on Jan. 8.
In December 2019, export of products of the Turkish defense industry grew by 1.9 percent compared to December 2018 and amounted to $288.6 million.
“Turkey will strengthen the defense industry and will be among the world leaders in the production of defense products,” Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said earlier.
"I instruct all law enforcement agencies to refuse [to receive] products imported by the defense industry,” Erdogan said. “Turkey is able to provide itself with relevant products.”
The president noted that the country will begin mass production of the ALTAY domestic tank soon.
Turkey has recently invested about $35 billion in the defense industry.
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