Erdogan vows fully independent defence industry amid Israel-Iran conflict

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced on Wednesday that his country's defence industry would become fully independent, producing its own warplanes, tanks, drones and frigates, as Israel and Iran traded strikes for a sixth day.

"We will further increase our domestic and national production rate, which we have raised from 20 percent to 80 percent," Erdogan said at a Justice and Development Party (AKP) parliamentary group meeting.

"We will continue with patience, determination, perseverance, and firm steps until we achieve our goal of full independence in the defence industry," he added.

Addressing Israeli attacks on Iran and rising tensions in the region, Erdogan said Turkish officials were on high alert and preparing contingency plans for all possible risks.

"We will raise our deterrence to such a level that not only will no one attack us, but no one will even dare to think of it," he said, adding that Turkey had recently completed a number of national defence projects, including air defence systems, warships, cruise missiles, armed drones, and helicopters.

Read more: Erdogan vows fully independent defence industry amid Israel-Iran conflict