A press briefing was held by the Ministry of National Defense

İZMİR (AA) – The Ministry of National Defense (MSB) reported that the number of terrorists who surrendered since the beginning of the year has reached 99. Ministry of National Defense Press and Public Relations Advisor and Ministry Spokesperson, Rear Admiral Zeki Aktürk, spoke at the weekly press briefing held at the 2nd Main Jet Base Command in İzmir Çiğli on the occasion of the 115th anniversary of the establishment of the Air Force.

Aktürk celebrated the anniversary of the establishment of the Air Force, the steel wings of the Turkish Armed Forces in the sky. Stating that the Turkish Air Force continues to be the shield of our skies with its high operational capability, qualified personnel, modern platforms, and advanced technology opportunities provided by the domestic and national defense industry, Aktürk said, “The Youth and Aviation Festival will be held on June 6-7, within the scope of the anniversary of the establishment of our Air Force, at our 2nd Main Jet Base Command located in Çiğli, which plays a critical role in training the qualified human resources that form the basis of our air power.” he said.

Aktürk emphasized that the event aims to provide participants with the opportunity to see the current state of Turkish aviation, to increase the interest of young people in aviation and space fields, and to introduce the opportunities and capabilities of the domestic and national defense industry and the Turkish Air Force. Providing information about the festival, Aktürk said: “The festival, which is open to the participation of our students and their families, will include air, parachute and paramotor shows, personnel rescue drills, static aircraft exhibitions, simulator experience areas, incentive flight activities, concerts and various cultural events, and demonstration flights will be made by Turkish Stars and SOLOTÜRK.” – Fight against terrorism Aktürk said that the Turkish Armed Forces continue their fight against terrorism, protecting the borders, and ensuring Turkey’s defense and security on land, at sea and in the air with determination and determination.

Giving information about the fight against terrorism and border security, Aktürk said: “In the last two weeks, 6 more PKK terrorists surrendered, 698 people trying to cross our borders illegally, 7 of whom were members of a terrorist organization, were caught, and 4 thousand 219 people were prevented before crossing the border. Thus, since January 1 until today, the number of terrorists who surrendered has reached 99, and the number of people caught trying to cross our borders illegally has been caught.” “The number of people blocked was 3,860 and the number of people blocked was 34,389.

In addition, 79 kilograms of drugs were seized during the search and screening activities carried out on the Van border line in the last two weeks.” – NATO Aktürk said that the Turkish Armed Forces, which serve effectively in a wide geography within the scope of bilateral relations and international missions, continue to make strong and sustainable contributions to regional and global peace, security and stability. Informing that the 6th Maritime Security Conference will be held in Istanbul on June 9-10 by the Maritime Security Center of Excellence Command, Aktürk said: “The third NATO EDGE 2026, which will be organized under the responsibility of the NATO Communications and Information Agency (NCIA) with the participation of companies operating in the field of Communications Electronics and Information Systems (MEBS) and relevant NATO organizations, will be held at the Izmir EXPO Fair Area between 17-19 November.” “The activity in question will enable the promotion of the high technology level and advanced capabilities of our national defense industry at the international level, and will also contribute to increasing the visibility of our country’s knowledge and achievements in the field of defense.

Detailed information about the activity and application procedures can be accessed on the NATO EDGE 26 official website.” – Israel Aktürk said that Israel’s aggressive and expansionist attitude in the Middle East is aggravating the humanitarian situation in the region day by day. Stating that Israel, on the one hand, expanded the occupied areas in Lebanon and forced the Lebanese to permanent migration, and on the other hand, turned a blind eye to the provocative actions of Israeli extremist groups in the Al-Aqsa Mosque, Aktürk said, “We emphasize once again that the international community must take concrete steps by increasing the pressure on Israel in the face of these actions, which are a clear violation of international law and target peace and stability in the region.” Aktürk said, drawing attention to the importance of the negotiations between Iran and the USA to end in permanent peace for the region, and expressed his hope that the parties would act prudently and constructively.

– Training and exercises Aktürk noted that national and international training and exercise activities continue uninterruptedly in order to maintain and improve the combat effectiveness of the Turkish Armed Forces and to make them more effective, deterrent and ready in the land, sea, air, space and cyber domains. Providing information about the exercises, Aktürk said: “Denizkurdu-II Exercise, which started today and was carried out in the Black Sea, Marmara, Aegean Sea and Eastern Mediterranean with the aim of improving decision-making capabilities in a very threatening environment and testing interoperability procedures, in which 125 ships, 60 air elements, unmanned marine vehicles and 18 thousand personnel from our Naval Forces, Land and Air Forces and Coast Guard Command took part.

“It will continue until June. The Distinguished Observer Day activities of the exercise will be carried out on 11 June at TCG Anadolu in the Eastern Mediterranean.” – Weapon systems newly added to the inventory. Aktürk stated that the efforts to strengthen the modern and effective defense force of the Turkish Armed Forces and the domestic and national defense industry with high-tech products continue with determination.

In this context, Aktürk, who informed that in the last two weeks, the inspection and acceptance activity of the Land Forces Command in various quantities, for the first time, the MILKAR-6A Portable Electronic Attack System and the UAV-230 ammunition, was completed and put into the inventory, and said: “The delivery of weapons and ammunition in various quantities and sizes, especially the MK-82 general purpose aircraft bomb, has been completed by our Machinery and Chemical Industry Joint Stock Company (MKE).

In addition, various amounts of TARAS-II Radiolink System were delivered to our Land Forces Command, AcroSAT Ship Satellite Communication Terminal to our Naval Forces Command, Laser Guidance Kit (LGK 84), Warning UAV Counter System and ARTcom 9681 Weather Radio to our Air Forces Command by ASELSAN.” – Activities within the scope of the “Year of the Family” Aktürk stated that activities aimed at strengthening the family institution continue within the scope of the “Year of the Family”.

Stating that “Healthy Family Training” has been implemented for 71 thousand 181 personnel and “Pre-Marriage Education Program” for 676 thousand 327 participants so far, Aktürk said: “With the awareness that a strong family is the basis of a strong society, a strong Turkey and a strong army, we will continue our training and awareness activities for our personnel and their families. On this occasion, we celebrate National Family Week and wish health, peace and happiness to our families.

5 June World Environment “We are already celebrating this day and once again emphasize the importance of the ‘zero waste’ target within the scope of protecting the environment, creating sustainable living spaces and combating climate change.”