ISTANBUL - December 20 (GCT)
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Friday that Turkey does not seek the territory or sovereignty of any other state, even as Ankara continues to strengthen its naval capabilities under the strategic framework known as the “Blue Homeland.”
Erdogan made the remarks during a ceremony at the Turkish Navy’s Pantehi Shipyard in Istanbul, where the TCG Hızır Reis submarine and a C-159 landing ship were officially commissioned into the Turkish Navy. The event also included the handover of the corvette PNS Hayber to the Pakistan Navy, the second vessel in a four-ship corvette program.
“We have no interest in anyone’s territory or sovereignty,” Erdogan said. “We do not want tension, crises, or conflicts with any country. Our only desire is peace and stability for our neighbors.” He added, however, that Turkey “will not allow the violation of its rights and entitlements.”
Strengthening the ‘Blue Homeland’
Referring to Turkey’s maritime strategy, Erdogan described the commissioning of the new vessels as a strategic step to safeguard Turkey’s Blue Homeland, while also contributing to Pakistan’s defense capabilities.
“We will continue to implement projects one by one that strengthen our deterrent power on land, at sea, in the air, and in cyberspace,” he said, signaling further defense initiatives in the near future.
Integrated Military Deterrence
Erdogan stressed the need for balanced military strength across all domains, stating:
“Without air power, naval deterrence is impossible, and without naval power, effectiveness on land cannot be sustained.”
He described the newly commissioned vessels as the result of extensive national effort and highlighted the TCG Hızır Reis, noting that its air-independent propulsion system and advanced sonar make it a key asset for underwater defense.
The president confirmed that both the Hızır Reis submarine and the new landing ship are now officially in service with the Turkish Navy.
Erdogan’s remarks come amid ongoing tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean, including the long-standing dispute over Cyprus. Turkey maintains that its actions in the region are aimed at protecting its own maritime rights and those of Turkish Cypriots, while rejecting claims that it seeks to alter borders or sovereignty. The Cyprus issue remains a central point of friction in Turkey’s relations with Greece and the European Union, particularly in the context of energy exploration and maritime jurisdiction in the region.
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