Lefkosa, May 4, 2025 – The Europe Today: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan announced on Saturday that Türkiye has emerged among the top three nations globally in unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technology, reaffirming the country’s commitment to technological advancement and defence innovation.
Delivering a keynote address at the TEKNOFEST Award Ceremony in Lefkosa, the capital of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), President Erdoğan stated that Türkiye would continue its progress in UAV development “with unwavering determination and enthusiasm.”
Expressing confidence in Türkiye’s technological future, Erdoğan said, “With the TEKNOFEST youth, the projects rising across TRNC, and our strategic initiatives, we will continue to stand here for centuries to come.” He further reinforced Türkiye’s close relationship with the TRNC, declaring, “We, as the Turkish nation and the Turkish Cypriots, are the hosts of these lands. Those who do not know this should know, and those who have not heard should hear.”
TRNC President Ersin Tatar also addressed the audience, praising the achievements of Türkiye’s defence industry. “The institutions behind Türkiye’s recent successes in the national defence industry are monuments of pride for the entire Turkic world,” he said.
The event marked the latest edition of TEKNOFEST, Türkiye’s leading technology, aviation, and space festival, which has grown into a prominent international showcase of innovation. Held for the first time in the TRNC, the event drew a crowd of approximately 62,000 visitors on its opening day alone. Over the course of four days, attendees witnessed exhibitions, competitions, and demonstrations that celebrated technological creativity and national pride.
Organised by the Turkish Technology Team (T3) Foundation and Türkiye’s Ministry of Industry and Technology, TEKNOFEST has been an annual fixture since 2018, supported by numerous government institutions, private companies, and academic institutions. Traditionally hosted in various Turkish cities during even-numbered years and in Istanbul in odd-numbered years, the TRNC became the second international host after Azerbaijan, which held the 10th edition.
In 2024, TEKNOFEST in Adana attracted over 1.1 million visitors, underscoring the growing public interest in science, technology, and Türkiye’s rapidly advancing aerospace sector.
The Lefkosa edition of TEKNOFEST not only spotlighted cutting-edge technologies but also symbolised Türkiye’s enduring ties with the TRNC and its broader vision of regional cooperation through technological leadership.
