Turkey seeks to upgrade its military technology

"We are following the great change taking place in our age and we are shaping our new security concepts accordingly," Ozkok said. "We are compelled to keep up with the change and with the speed — and this can be achieved with qualified, intellectual personnel. We must gain the personnel intellectual depth."

Turkish commanders said the development of indigenous technology was vital to ensure Ankara’s strategic options. They cited the heavy Turkish military dependence on U.S. and European weapons technology.