President Erdoğan spoke at the National Defense University Military Academies Graduation and Flag Handover Ceremony held at the Military Academy.
Erdoğan extended his wishes for a swift recovery to Türkiye and the Turkish Cypriot people over the passenger ship that capsized while sailing from Kyrenia to Taşucu in Mersin. Erdoğan said efforts to reach those missing were continuing without interruption and expressed hope that positive news would emerge from the search efforts.
Emphasis on the fight against FETÖ
Erdoğan said that, as part of the fight against FETÖ, people who had betrayed the military uniform over the 10-year period had been removed from the Turkish Armed Forces and military schools.
120,000 applications to the National Defense University
Erdoğan said that military academies and non-commissioned officer vocational colleges in many European countries had been unable to fill their quotas, and announced that 120,000 people had applied to the National Defense University this year.
Erdoğan said the army was experiencing its strongest period today and that the National Defense University's global prestige was increasing year by year. He said the domestic production rate in the defense industry had risen above 82 percent, adding that Türkiye was now competing only with itself in this field.
Erdoğan also said that actors and structures considered security threats to Türkiye 20 to 30 years ago no longer had the power or scale to measure up to Türkiye.