Portuguese Defense Minister Melo praises KIZILELMA

[Teknoloji Muhabiri]

Portuguese Minister of Defense Nuno Melo stated that the Bayraktar KIZILELMA, which he examined at the Özdemir Bayraktar National Technology Center, possesses impressive combat capabilities and sophisticated technology.

Visiting Baykar, Portuguese Minister of Defense Nuno Melo praised Turkish armed unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), stating that they need to see these examples to best determine their future goals.

Melo and his accompanying delegation visited the Özdemir Bayraktar National Technology Center.

Baykar Chairman of the Board and CTO Selçuk Bayraktar, and General Manager Haluk Bayraktar, informed the delegation about their ongoing work during the visit.

In his statement here, Melo said that they need to see good examples to best determine their future goals.

Melo pointed out that Baykar is a completely private company, stating, "The average age of the employees here is under 29. You understand how such investments help attract qualified, well-paid, and young employment, and how they contribute to strategically designing the future in the field of defense. Therefore, this exchange of experience is very important, regardless of any equipment that might be purchased if necessary."

“THE PINNACLE OF THE MOST ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY”

Melo stated that they made the visit without a concrete purchasing objective and made the following evaluations:

"Here in Portugal, we find many pieces of equipment that could be useful in different areas. There is no doubt that what we witnessed here is at the pinnacle of the most advanced technology in the world. This aircraft behind me (KIZILELMA) is completely autonomous, possesses impressive combat capabilities, and the most sophisticated technology available. Of course, it can have many uses, not only in wartime but also in peacetime for activities such as search and rescue, surveillance, and fire monitoring. There are many examples. There is a huge capacity for equipment transport and deployment that such technologies will provide in the future.

We are investing in the defense industry, and our goal is to have an investment idea that adds value to the future. We know that Portugal is ambitious in terms of drones. We have a few companies that are important on our own scale, even though their drones are smaller in size. There is a long way to go with national capital and investments, but this can only happen by seeing and sharing experiences."

To the question, "Is this trip more about seeing or opening doors?", Minister Melo replied, "I can say all of it. We came to see, to understand if this equipment is important for Portugal, and to see if what is done in Portugal is useful for Turkey. This is a journey focused on high-tech defense industries.