A Mindset Transformation in the Defence Industry
The second Defence Industry Talent Management Summit, organised by the Defence Industry Academy of the Presidency of Defence Industries within the scope of the National Competency Initiative, began at the Sheraton Hotel.
Speaking at the “Leaders Shaping Change” session held as part of the summit, TUSAŞ General Manager Mehmet Demiroğlu described Türkiye’s development in the defence industry as a “journey”.
Demiroğlu emphasised that the prevailing “we cannot do it” mindset of the 1970s and 1980s transformed in the 2000s into a will of “we must do it” and “we can do it”.
“No One Asks ‘Can We Do It?’ Anymore”
Stating that, as of the 100th anniversary of the Republic, all doubts regarding technical capabilities have been eliminated, Demiroğlu said:
“Today, no one asks the question ‘can we do it?’ anymore. We can do it; there is no problem in that regard.”
A New Phase: Mass Production and Sustainability
Drawing attention to the fact that the defence industry ecosystem has entered a new phase, Demiroğlu stated that the current priorities are mass production, on-time delivery and economic sustainability.
“Now the new question is this: When can you do it, and how many can you produce? Can you deliver them? Can you produce competitively at a cost-effective and exportable level? This is our biggest area of work,” said Demiroğlu, noting that the process is as challenging as “repairing an engine while it is running”.
Emphasis on Human Resources and Apprenticeship
Highlighting that qualified human resources lie at the heart of success, Demiroğlu stated that investing in people is not limited to opening educational institutions, but also requires teaching systematic thinking and process management.
Pointing out that the expectations of the younger generation from working life have changed, Demiroğlu used the following expressions:
“Young people now ask, ‘What will I learn in this job?’ We cannot build the future without understanding their expectations. Engineers must be involved in the process at a young age. Because you cannot become a master of a job if you have not served your apprenticeship.”
“Talent Thrives in an Environment of Trust”
Touching on the leadership approach adopted at TUSAŞ , Demiroğlu stated that leadership is not about doing the job personally, but about getting it done by empowering teams with responsibility.
He concluded his speech with the following words:
“Talent does not grow under pressure, but in an environment of trust. Granting authority and responsibility together, allowing room for mistakes, and not punishing these mistakes as long as there is no malicious intent are among the most important elements in raising the leaders of the future.”
