Istanbul IDEF 23 Milestone
30 Years to the 600 Years Anniversary
IDEF 2023 is one of the top four defense industry fairs in the world. It is held in Istanbul, Turkiye. Currently, about 1500 companies from over 50 countries began exhibiting their products and services. As far as number of sales point meetings are concerned, reportedly, it will also rank number one this year in the world. However, there is one other statistic of significance that will enter into the annals of history like no other this year.
EITHER I CONQUER ISTANBUL OR ISTANBUL CONQUERS ME
In 1453, Turks conquered Constantinople and renamed it Istanbul. 600 year anniversary will take place in 2053.
2023 IDEF marks the beginning of the 30 year countdown to this milestone. It was the 21 year old sultan that did it then, having said: Either I will take it or it will take me.
Considering Constantinople did not fall for a 1000 year until he arrived, not until 16 year old IDEF arrived, the West was also supreme in this defense industry business.
The Big Shahi
The fall of Constantinople in the hands of Mehmet the Conqueror became possible with a high tech and one of a kind cannon called: “The Big Shahi”.
IDEF in a sense has become a platform where Turks display their new “Big Shahi” like innovations, capacity and will power in modern times.
Now the question is then, what will these be conquering this time?
Istanbul IDEF 23 Milestone
IDEF 23 marks the centennial anniversary of the Republic of Turkiye.
What country other than major powers like the US, the UK, France, Japan, and Germany or Russia and China can produce this many military platforms in the world?
Better question: What one country in the world can manufacture any of the above displayed products on its own without getting any contribution from another country?
Turkiye
Turkiye in one decade demonstrated that it can produce many varieties of military platforms, and indigenously, up to 80 percent.
Afterwards, Turkiye mass manufactures them, primarily, for domestic consumption. It has NATO’s second biggest armed forces.
Turkiye then decides what country gets what by issuing export permissions to so many private and state owned companies in the industry.
Much like how the West built and maintained hegemony in the past, Turkiye is also selective. It prioritizes Turkish nations and those seeking independence.
IDEF 23 in the first 24 Hours
IDEF 23 is a massive phenomena. The numbers are mind boggling. They are not possible to discern in a book nevermind in an article like this.
Let’s put it in a quick perspective. The leading Turkish Defense Industry giant Aselsan is one of the top 50 in the world. It displays 500 items in IDEF 23.
However, they are not just bolts and nuts which are equally important because the West has embargo on them too in order to maintain hegemony.
Aselsan and perhaps a thousand other Turkish companies in this defense industry produce everything from the most miniscule item to completely sophisticated systems.
In the first 24 hours with a quick observation, I was able to amass the following items. Each by the way is equivalent or better than their counterparts in the world.
One of a Kind Turkish Innovations of Late
Let’s also add the fact that some are one of a kind innovations and technological marvels only Turkiye has them ahead of competitors, and already operational.
Meteksan’s Ulaq, Seyrusefer, Nazar, Kapan, Milsar
Aselsan’s Eralp, Gokdemir, Eren, Gokberk, Yildirim-100, Gurz, Goksur, Gokdeniz
MKE’s Uca
Havelsan’s Caka
Please note, this is not even a partial list, considering more than 1500 companies are displaying and one alone 500 items, with a handful new unveilings.
Two milestone of vital importance to mention
Now that Turkiye can build its own fighter aircrafts, helicopters, missiles, tanks, submarines, warships, satellites, drones, laser and railguns there are two additional pertinent matters to note to drive the point home.
Kale Engines for Missiles
First has to do with the Turkish Kale Group that now mass manufactures indigenously developed engines. French Safran used to dominate this market. For example, the famous Exocet in the Falklands War used to fly with a Safran engine.
Now, Safran has a competitor with better technology, pricing, delivery, and export availability. As a result, no country has to deal with the Western export restrictions anymore. Everyone has a third alternative if Russia and China also do not deliver.
Steel Alloys for Submarines
The other has to do with technological development. It involves a particular steel alloy used in building submarines. It is a must and only a handful countries controlled the technology until now when Turkiye also joined the party.
Currently, Turkiye is building in a joint venture with Germany Piri Reis series submarines. First one is already operational. However, Turkiye does not need Germany anymore to build the remaining five and whatever else it is planning.
Istanbul IDEF 23 Milestone
If to summarize, briefly, IDEF 23 is a milestone. Yet, it is a milestone for what is a more pertinent question.
Remember, Turks closed the Middle Ages with Mehmet the Conqueror and they did it with the “Big Shahi” alongside great leaders, starting with Mehmet.
The IDEF 23 has too many “Shahis.” Hence, it is not inconceivable, not to close and open another one of those “Ages” or what·cha·ma·call·it.