Türkiye’s growing naval capabilities, domestically developed defense technologies and next-generation unmanned systems are on display at the specialized, maritime-focused leg of the country's biggest aerospace and technology festival.
The four-day Teknofest Blue Homeland at the Gölcük Naval Shipyard Command in the northwestern Kocaeli province began on Thursday and runs through Sunday.
It is bringing together naval platforms, submarines, aircraft, missile and air defense systems, unmanned vehicles and underwater technologies, while also allowing young participants to compete in maritime technology contests.
Organized under the coordination of the National Defense Ministry and the Turkish Technology Team Foundation, or the T3 Foundation, the event has drawn significant interest from visitors seeking to see Türkiye’s naval capabilities and defense technologies up close.
The opening ceremony on Thursday was attended by National Defense Minister Yaşar Güler, Chief of General Staff Gen. Selçuk Bayraktaroğlu, Naval Forces Commander Adm. Ercüment Tatlıoğlu, Defense Industries Presidency (SSB) head Haluk Görgün, force commanders and defense industry representatives.
The event is showcasing 37 naval assets and platforms from different classes, including vessels currently serving in the Turkish Navy.
Among the most prominent platforms on display are Türkiye’s largest military ship, the TCG Anadolu; the TCG Istanbul; TCG Barbaros; TCG Salihreis; TCG Turgutreis; TCG Kemalreis; TCG Oruçreis; TCG Burgazada; and the TCG Derya.
Other naval assets include minehunters, patrol vessels, amphibious ships and support platforms, offering visitors a broad view of the Turkish Navy’s operational structure.
The TCG Anadolu has emerged as one of the main attractions at the festival, giving visitors the opportunity to tour parts of the ship and see its flight deck, hangar and mission areas.
The festival also brings together Türkiye’s maritime heritage and its future naval capabilities. The historic Savarona and the museum ship Yavuz are being displayed alongside modern warships and submarines.
One of the most closely watched exhibits is the first test block of Türkiye’s National Submarine, known as MILDEN, which represents a major step in the country’s effort to develop an indigenous submarine.
The submarine is planned to be more than 80 meters long, with a displacement of about 2,700 tons and an endurance of more than 50 days.
MILDEN is expected to undertake missions including anti-surface and anti-submarine warfare, reconnaissance and surveillance, mine-laying, special operations and support for task groups.
The submarine is planned to be built at the Gölcük Naval Shipyard Command, with additional infrastructure being developed to support the program.
The MILDEN display offers visitors a glimpse into one of Türkiye’s most ambitious naval development projects as Ankara seeks to expand its ability to design and build complex military platforms domestically.
Unmanned maritime and underwater systems are another major focus of the festival.
Türkiye’s defense industry has brought a range of unmanned surface vehicles, or USVs, to Gölcük, including the ULAQ developed by Ares Shipyard and Meteksan, Havelsan’s Sancar, Aselsan’s Marlin and Dearsan Shipyard’s Salvo.
The systems demonstrate the growing role of unmanned platforms in reconnaissance, surveillance and combat missions, while reducing the risks faced by personnel during operations.
Young engineers and students are also competing in the event’s Unmanned Underwater Systems, Underwater Rocket and Unmanned Surface Vehicle competitions.
The Underwater Rocket Competition drew applications from 243 teams, with 16 finalist teams advancing to the final stage at Gölcük, where they are testing their systems under real-world conditions.
The competition challenges participants to demonstrate underwater movement, navigation, stabilization and mission capabilities, highlighting the festival’s focus on developing a new generation of engineers specializing in maritime and defense technologies.
Türkiye’s multilayered air defense architecture, known as Steel Dome, is also among the major defense exhibits at the festival.
The display includes Aselsan’s Gurz, Korkut and Goksungur systems, alongside the Siper and Hisar air defense systems developed through cooperation between Aselsan and Roketsan.
Roketsan’s Tayfun ballistic missile, as well as the K+, KMC and Pusu systems, are also being presented to visitors.
Other domestically developed weapons and defense systems highlighted at the event include the Turkish Navy’s Atmaca anti-ship missile, the Akya heavy torpedo and the Malaman smart naval mine.
The range of systems on display underscores the increasingly integrated nature of Türkiye’s defense industry, spanning naval platforms, missiles, air defense, unmanned vehicles and sensor technologies.
Speaking at the opening ceremony Thursday, Naval Forces Commander Adm. Tatlıoğlu said Türkiye is currently building more than 50 warships simultaneously for both domestic and foreign customers.
“Today, we are building 37 warships for the Turkish Naval Forces and 24 for foreign countries, more than 50 warships simultaneously,” Tatlıoğlu said.
He also emphasized the strategic importance of maintaining a strong navy for Türkiye, citing the country’s geographic position and maritime interests.
Minister Güler similarly stressed Türkiye’s efforts to further strengthen the capabilities of its armed forces, including the navy.
He said the Turkish Navy continues to serve as an effective and deterrent force protecting the country’s maritime rights and interests, highlighting its personnel, modern force structure, domestically produced ships and submarines, unmanned systems and advancing technological capabilities.
The maritime-focused festival also extends into the air. Baykar’s Bayraktar TB2 and TB3 unmanned combat drones are among the aircraft being showcased, alongside Aselsan’s Aselbuoy and Aselbuoy Pod systems.
The Turkish Navy’s Sikorsky SH-70 Seahawk helicopter and the Turkish Armed Forces’ Bell AH-1W attack helicopter are also on display.
The festival is hosting daily air and maritime demonstrations, including performances by the Turkish Navy’s elite Underwater Attack, or SAT, and Underwater Defense, or SAS, units.
Visitors can watch tactical demonstrations as well as naval and aerial shows designed to showcase the operational capabilities of Türkiye’s armed forces.
Beyond military platforms and defense systems, Teknofest Blue Homeland also incorporates maritime culture, science and sports into its program.
The schedule includes the Blue Homeland Sailing Parade, swimming, rowing and dragon boat races, science activities and technology demonstrations.
The festival also aims to introduce younger visitors to maritime technologies through interactive activities and exhibits, while giving students and technology enthusiasts access to military platforms not normally open to the public, showcasing Türkiye’s efforts to build a more self-reliant maritime defense ecosystem.
