Ankara: Trkiye's KIZILELMA, an unmanned fighter jet, has achieved a groundbreaking milestone in aviation history, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced on Monday. The president emphasized that this achievement reflects the country's ongoing dynamism across various fields.
According to Anadolu Agency, the unmanned combat aircraft accomplished a world-first by successfully striking a jet-powered target aircraft with a beyond-visual-range (BVR) air-to-air missile, as reported by its developer, Baykar. This significant development underscores Trkiye's advancements in the defense sector.
President Erdogan highlighted Trkiye's economic growth, noting that the national income has expanded from $238 billion in 2002 to $1.5 trillion currently, with an ambitious target of reaching $1.9 trillion by 2028. Despite facing obstacles, full membership in the EU remains a strategic priority for Trkiye.
During a recent meeting in Ankara, President Erdogan hosted Pope Leo XIV and his delegation, where they discussed shared concerns such as the situation in Gaza, emphasizing the need for maintaining a ceasefire and ensuring humanitarian aid. The talks also covered threats to the family institution and the importance of the UN-backed Alliance of Civilizations.
Erdogan expressed concern over the recent attacks on two commercial tankers in the Black Sea, noting that the Ukraine war poses a significant threat to navigation safety. He reiterated Trkiye's stance against attacks in its Exclusive Economic Zone, which endanger maritime safety and the environment. Trkiye continues to monitor diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict and stands ready to contribute when needed.
Additionally, President Erdogan met with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung to discuss cooperation opportunities. He announced that Hyundai will begin producing fully electric vehicles in Izmit, Kocaeli province. The two countries are also advancing joint defense projects and negotiations on a nuclear power plant, with a new memorandum between Korea Electric Power Corporation and Trkiye Nuclear Energy Company marking progress in their collaboration.
President Erdogan plans to share insights from this year's G-20 summit and provide an overview of Trkiye's evolving relations with the African continent over the past 23 years at an upcoming party group meeting.