An explosion hit the gate of the Turkish Aerospace Industries (TUSAS) headquarters near Ankara on Wednesday causing multiple casualties. Turkish authorities described it as terrorism.
TUSAS is an engine manufacturer for the Turkish defense industry. A series of explosions and gunshots were heard during live footage published by the IHA news agency. Police and other emergency teams were dispatched to the headquarters.
Turkey’s HaberTurk TV said workers took shelter on site.
TUSAS is located in the Kahramankazan district, about 40 kilometers (25 miles) north of Ankara’s city center. According to its website, the vast complex covers an area of 4 million square meters.
Anil Sahin, a well-connected defense industry researcher, told HaberTurk that the attack was carried out by multiple assailants who arrived at the compound in a taxi. Footage from IHA showed a heavily damaged yellow cab reportedly involved in the initial explosion.
Several images carried by Turkish news outlets showed at least two attackers, one of them a woman, advancing inside the compound with long-barreled rifles.
There was no immediate claim for the attack.
The blast occurred as a major trade fair for the defense and aerospace industries was taking place in Istanbul.
Turkey says the explosion at Turkish Aerospace Industries is a terrorist act
Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya labeled the explosion a “terror attack,” indicating that there were casualties. Yerlikaya did not provide more details.
“A terrorist attack has been carried out against the Turkish Aerospace Industries Inc. facilities in Kahramankazan, Ankara,” Yerlikaya wrote on X.
TUSAS is the center of technology in design, development, manufacturing, integration of aerospace systems, modernization and after sales support in Turkey.
Its experience includes the licensed production of General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon jets, CASA/IPTN CN-235 light transport/maritime patrol/surveillance aircraft, SIAI-Marchetti SF.260 trainers, Cougar AS-532 search and rescue (SAR), combat search and rescue (CSAR) and utility helicopters as well as the design and development of Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), target drones and agricultural aircraft.
TAI’s core business also includes modernization, modification and systems integration programs and after sales support of both fixed and rotary wing military and commercial aircraft that are in the inventory of Turkey and its allies.
Turkey’s defense sector, which is widely known for its Bayraktar drones, accounts for nearly 80 percent of the nation’s export revenues with revenues expected to top 10.2 billion dollars in 2023.
The country’s defense industry has undergone dramatic changes over the last 50 years and the country has become a significant defense exporter.
This is a developing story
