INTERNATIONAL — February 20, 2026

Turkish President Erdogan Announces Imminent Start of Indigenous Aircraft Carrier Production

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced plans to soon start producing indigenous aircraft carriers, highlighting Turkey's self-sufficiency in manufacturing drones, missiles, ships, helicopters and tanks. He stressed that Turkey will act unilaterally abroad to address national security threats.

The Ehtebar Desk — originates with RTA2 min read

Turkish President Erdogan Announces Imminent Start of Indigenous Aircraft Carrier Production
Image courtesy RTA

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced that the country will soon begin production of indigenous aircraft carriers.

Erdogan stated that Turkey has achieved the capability to produce drones, missiles, ships, helicopters and tanks. He added that fighter jets and aircraft carriers can now be added to this list.

The president emphasized that Turkey possesses the ability to meet its own defense needs, including the production of drones, missiles, artillery, ships, helicopters and tanks.

Erdogan further affirmed that Turkey will take all necessary actions outside its borders to protect its national security. He said the country will eliminate any threats it identifies without seeking permission from others.

Read the original reporting at RTA

Reliability assessment

Single source provides direct, on-record attribution to named official Recep Tayyip Erdogan with concrete details on Turkey's military production plans; the claim is a public statement and not high-stakes or volatile for the context.

The source language reads straight.

Across the newsrooms

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InternationalTurkey, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, aircraft carriers, military production, national security

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