Erdoğan: We succeed despite opposition to missile tests

WISE NEWS PRESS / ANKARA, TÜRKİYE — DECEMBER 23, 2025

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan criticized the opposition’s stance on national defense projects during the 2025 TUBA and TÜBİTAK Science Awards, stating that Turkey continues to produce "despite the shallowness of those who oppose missile tests in Sinop by claiming fish are becoming uneasy."

Addressing a distinguished group of 49 award-winning scientists at the Presidential Complex, Erdoğan announced that the government has allocated 153 billion TL to scientific projects over the last 23 years. He emphasized that Turkey is on its way to becoming a leading global power in science and technology through the "National Technology Initiative."

Massive growth in R&D and Technoparks

The President shared data regarding the expansion of Turkey's scientific infrastructure, noting that the number of technoparks has surged from 2 to 113 during his tenure. He also highlighted that R&D centers, which were non-existent 23 years ago, now number 360 across the country. "Just as saying 'honey' does not sweeten the mouth, science, culture, and art cannot develop without patronage and support," Erdoğan remarked.

Digital bridge: Hyperscale cloud region by 2029

Highlighting future goals in artificial intelligence and data processing, Erdoğan mentioned a strategic agreement for a hyperscale cloud region in Turkey. Planned to be operational by 2028-2029, this project aims to turn Turkey into a digital bridge between Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, establishing the country as a regional data hub.

The necessity of original scientific thought

Erdoğan stressed that Turkey must develop its own scientific terminology and concepts to make unique global contributions. "We must think with our own vocabulary; otherwise, we cannot contribute patents to science," he said. Invoking the legacy of renowned scientists like Aziz Sancar and Gazi Yaşargil, Erdoğan expressed his confidence that the next generation of researchers would carry the torch of Turkish science even further.

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