In Türkiye’s defense sector, women entrepreneurs are making significant strides, reducing foreign dependency and supporting local and national production. Engaged in key projects, these entrepreneurs emphasize the importance of women in the defense industry, advocating for increased participation without fear. Notably, AYROTEC Engineering’s General Manager Çiğdem Akbaş produces resilient keyboards, screens, and ground control stations for military use, while Özen İş Makina’s General Manager Pınar Okyay contributes to various projects, including the Altay tank and national engine initiatives. Derinsu Defense’s General Manager Özlem Çeliker collaborates with major companies to diminish foreign reliance. Akbaş emphasizes AYROTEC’s commitment to local and national production, aiming to achieve 100 percent production in Türkiye within a few years. As a female entrepreneur and engineer, she encourages all women to be courageous in pursuing opportunities in the defense industry, highlighting the importance of self-trust and taking the first step towards clear paths. The women’s initiatives showcase the sector’s progress in recent years, emphasizing the increasing roles played by women entrepreneurs in vital defense projects.
Zöhre Alagöz