Turkey's Defense Ministry Announces $1.5 B MKE Investment and Reaffirms Two‑State Cyprus Solution

The Ministry of National Defense held its weekly press briefing at the Machine and Chemical Industry (MKE) Gazi Fişek Factory in Ankara. Spokesperson Tuğamiral Zeki Aktürk said MKE will receive a $1.5 billion investment programme for 2023‑2027, modernising existing lines and adding new production facilities in Kırıkkale, Samsun and Kırşehir for critical weapons and ammunition. . Aktürk reported that in the past week the Turkish Armed Forces captured four PKK militants, seized 468 individuals attempting illegal border crossings and noted cumulative figures of 6,953 arrests and 43,878 prevented crossings since 1 January. He also announced Turkey will assume NATO’s Enhanced Air Policing mission from Portugal on 31 July, with personnel redeployed to Estonia to help secure Baltic airspace. The briefing concluded with a reaffirmation of Turkey’s stance on Cyprus, supporting a permanent, fair solution based on a two‑state model, and a call for Israel to end actions that breach international law in the Middle East.