Turkey to become global player in defense industry: Erdoğan
ANKARA – Anadolu Agency
![Turkey to become global player in defense industry: Erdoğan](http://image.hurimg.com/i/hurriyet/75/0x0/5c973d63c03c0e0e588832b5.jpg)
Turkey is set to become a global player in the defense industry with its unique designs and advanced technology, Turkey's president said on March 23.
Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's remarks came at a joint election rally with Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahçeli in the capital Ankara ahead of the March 31 local elections, now just over a week away.
In 2018, Turkey's aerospace and defense industry exports surged 17 percent.
According to Turkish Exporters Assembly data, the sector's exports topped the target of $2 billion last year, hitting a record high level of $2.035 billion.
With the clock ticking down to local elections set for March 31, Turkey is seeing daily campaign rallies and speeches by candidates and political leaders.
A total of 12 political parties will compete in the local elections.