On 9 December, the NDC Commandant and Senior Course 139 travelled to Ankara, Türkiye, as part of Field Study 3. The delegation and Course Members were received at the Turkish General Staff Headquarters where NDC’s Turkish Senior National Representative, Minister Plenipotentiary Julide Kayihan welcomed all participants and introduced the distinguished speakers of the morning.
Rear Admiral Özgür Özcan Altunbulak, Deputy General Manager for Security and Defense Affairs at the Ministry of Defense initiated discussions by describing the organizational structure of the national Ministry of Defense. He provided an extensive overview of the regional security situation and identified multiple challenges that the country faces, all of geostrategic importance to Türkiye.
The second briefing by Mr Bekir Sarp Erzi covered Türkiye’s foreign policy particularly as it pertains to NATO. Mr Erzi, Head of Department at the Deputy General Directorate in charge of NATO Affairs, expressed much pleasure in hosting the NDC delegation, especially he himself was once a member Senior Course 130, making him one of the distinguished Anciens of the College.
Türkiye has been a NATO member since 1952. Amid rising instability and unprecedented challenges located its geographical area, the country pursues an active foreign policy. Mr Erzi articulated the main principles of the “humanitarian and enterprising Turkish foreign policy.” He spoke of the key aspects of Türkiye’s objectives in this regard, namely, the relevance of advancing international cooperation; improving crisis management and strengthening stability; protecting citizen’s rights and continuing the fight against terrorism. The latter remains the most manifest and enduring threat to the country.
Following an Office Call between the NDC Commandant, the Turkish Deputy CHOD General Selcuk Bayraktaroglu, Brigadier General Riccardo Brizi and Minister Plenipotentiary Julide Kayihan, the third briefer addressed the Senior Course.
Brigadier General Ozkan Ulutas, Director of Strategy at the Turkish General Staff (TGS), spoke in detail of the mission of the Turkish Armed Forces. He further explained what efforts are currently being deployed in the fight against terrorism, as the country faces multiple terrorist threats from different terrorist groups. Moreover, he highlighted the country’s contributions to the Alliance’s various operations and missions. He also introduced several Centers of Excellence located in Türkiye, as well as the Multinational Joint Warfare Center (MJWC) in Istanbul.
Finally, Ms Aysegul Tokatli, Regional Manager for Americas and Europe, Department of International Cooperation within the Presidency of the Defence Industries (SSB) briefed the NDC on Turkish defence industries capabilities. This eminent organization, headed by President of the Republic Recep Tayyip Erdogan and run by a Board of Directors, was founded in 1985. The SSB was established by the government to manage the defense industry of Türkiye and the development of military technology, which lies at the heart of the country’s industry.
Course Members had the unique opportunity to interact with the Turkish representatives during the Q & A. The activities continued with a solemn ceremony observed at the Anitkabir, the memorial tomb of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the leader of the Turkish War of Independence and the founder and first President of the Republic of Türkiye. Lieutenant General Rittimann, NDC Course President Major General Fix, and the entire NDC group, laid a commemorative wreath on behalf of the delegation.
The group concluded the daily activities with visits to the facilities of three prominent national defence organizations to gain an even closer understanding of the country’s industrial capacity.
NDC Public Affairs Office
(Prepared by Ms Ilaria Latorre, ITA C)
NATO Defense College