Turkey's President Erdogan Aims for Significant Expansion in Rocket Production

In response to escalating tensions in the Middle East, particularly between Israel and Iran, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has announced plans to significantly enhance the country's rocket production capabilities. Aiming to bolster the nation's deterrent power, Erdogan stated that Turkey is developing production strategies to increase its stockpiles of medium- and long-range missiles to a level that would ensure national security and discourage potential aggressors.

Erdogan's announcement comes against a backdrop of heightened concerns expressed by political allies, notably Devlet Bahceli, the leader of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP). Bahceli has suggested that Turkey might be the next target in regional conflicts, implying that Israel might seek to encircle Turkish territories.

Turkey currently faces challenges in its military aviation capabilities. After being suspended from the F-35 program, the nation has sought to acquire modern versions of the F-16 fighter jets from the United States, but its existing fleet remains outdated. Analysts indicate that despite having one of the largest military forces within NATO, Turkey's air power and defense systems are relatively weak. The ongoing regional conflicts have underscored the importance of air superiority, prompting countries, including Turkey, to enhance their air forces.

A critical issue affecting the Turkish Air Force is a shortage of trained fighter pilots. Following a failed coup attempt in 2016, Turkey dismissed over 850 pilots, leading to current inadequacies in operational capacity. Although efforts are underway to train over 900 cadets to become pilots, experts warn that the damage inflicted on the air force's readiness is profound. The training process for fighter pilots is lengthy, often taking around six years for a pilot to become operationally proficient and up to 14 years to gain sufficient experience to train others.

In light of these challenges, Turkey has sought assistance from Pakistan to help address the pilot training shortage. However, this cooperation is complicated by international regulations governing arms exports, particularly concerning the training on F-16 aircraft. Reports suggest that while Pakistan may assist with basic pilot training on single-engine aircraft, it faces restrictions related to U.S. export control laws.

As Turkey embarks on expanding its rocket production, the government has unveiled several domestically developed ballistic missile systems, including the Kaplan, Bora, Tayfun, and Cenk, each with varying ranges. However, experts remain uncertain whether an increased missile arsenal alone can effectively establish a credible deterrent.

In summary, while Erdogan's initiative to enhance Turkey's missile capabilities reflects a strategic response to regional threats, the underlying issues of pilot shortages and outdated aircraft must also be addressed to achieve a comprehensive military readiness.