An explosion occurred at the Turkish Aerospace Industries (TUSAŞ) facilities in the Kahramankazan district of Ankara around 15:30. Gunfire was also heard following the explosion, raising alarms in the region.Fatalities and Injuries Confirmed
Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya confirmed via social media platform X that the incident was a terrorist attack targeting the TUSAŞ facilities. Yerlikaya reported the presence of both fatalities and injuries, stating, "May Allah grant mercy to our martyrs, and we wish a speedy recovery to the wounded. Further updates will be shared with the public. Please rely only on official sources for information.”The Directorate of Communications' Disinformation Monitoring Center also warned citizens to follow official announcements for accurate updates.Heightened Security Measures
Following the explosion, security forces, fire units, and medical teams were dispatched to the site. Due to safety concerns, TUSAŞ personnel were directed to shelters. The attack also led to the temporary suspension of discussions in the Turkish Parliament on the Lebanon mandate.Justice Minister Yılmaz Tunç announced that the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office had initiated an investigation, appointing a deputy chief prosecutor and eight prosecutors to the case.Meanwhile, the President of Defense Industries, Haluk Görgün, and TUSAŞ General Manager, Mehmet Demiroğlu, were attending the SAHA EXPO defense fair in Istanbul during the attack. Both officials immediately began traveling back to Ankara.Reactions from Political Figures
Minister of Industry and Technology Mehmet Fatih Kacır: “May God protect our engineers and researchers. We will never retreat from our journey in the National Technology Initiative. Defense industry efforts are the key to a fully independent Türkiye, and we will continue working day and night under President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's leadership.”CHP Leader Özgür Özel: “I condemn the terrorist attack in Kahramankazan. May the martyrs rest in peace, and may the wounded recover quickly. I denounce terrorism, no matter its source.”Ankara Mayor Mansur Yavaş: “I am deeply saddened by the terrorist attack at the TUSAŞ facility. I wish mercy to our martyrs and a swift recovery to the injured. We condemn terrorism wholeheartedly.”About TUSAŞ
Founded in 1973 to advance Türkiye’s domestic defense industry, Turkish Aerospace Industries (TUSAŞ) merged with the Turkish Aviation Industry (TAI) in 2005. Today, it plays a key role in developing, modernizing, and manufacturing aerospace and defense systems.Approximately 55% of TUSAŞ shares are held by the Turkish Armed Forces Foundation, with the remaining 45% owned by the Presidency of Defense Industries. The company has developed several high-profile platforms, including the ANKA and Aksungur unmanned aerial vehicles, the Atak attack helicopter, the Gökbey utility helicopter, and the Hürkuş, Hürjet, and KAAN aircraft.
Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya confirmed via social media platform X that the incident was a terrorist attack targeting the TUSAŞ facilities. Yerlikaya reported the presence of both fatalities and injuries, stating, "May Allah grant mercy to our martyrs, and we wish a speedy recovery to the wounded. Further updates will be shared with the public. Please rely only on official sources for information.”The Directorate of Communications' Disinformation Monitoring Center also warned citizens to follow official announcements for accurate updates.Heightened Security Measures
Following the explosion, security forces, fire units, and medical teams were dispatched to the site. Due to safety concerns, TUSAŞ personnel were directed to shelters. The attack also led to the temporary suspension of discussions in the Turkish Parliament on the Lebanon mandate.Justice Minister Yılmaz Tunç announced that the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office had initiated an investigation, appointing a deputy chief prosecutor and eight prosecutors to the case.Meanwhile, the President of Defense Industries, Haluk Görgün, and TUSAŞ General Manager, Mehmet Demiroğlu, were attending the SAHA EXPO defense fair in Istanbul during the attack. Both officials immediately began traveling back to Ankara.Reactions from Political Figures
Minister of Industry and Technology Mehmet Fatih Kacır: “May God protect our engineers and researchers. We will never retreat from our journey in the National Technology Initiative. Defense industry efforts are the key to a fully independent Türkiye, and we will continue working day and night under President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's leadership.”CHP Leader Özgür Özel: “I condemn the terrorist attack in Kahramankazan. May the martyrs rest in peace, and may the wounded recover quickly. I denounce terrorism, no matter its source.”Ankara Mayor Mansur Yavaş: “I am deeply saddened by the terrorist attack at the TUSAŞ facility. I wish mercy to our martyrs and a swift recovery to the injured. We condemn terrorism wholeheartedly.”About TUSAŞ
Founded in 1973 to advance Türkiye’s domestic defense industry, Turkish Aerospace Industries (TUSAŞ) merged with the Turkish Aviation Industry (TAI) in 2005. Today, it plays a key role in developing, modernizing, and manufacturing aerospace and defense systems.Approximately 55% of TUSAŞ shares are held by the Turkish Armed Forces Foundation, with the remaining 45% owned by the Presidency of Defense Industries. The company has developed several high-profile platforms, including the ANKA and Aksungur unmanned aerial vehicles, the Atak attack helicopter, the Gökbey utility helicopter, and the Hürkuş, Hürjet, and KAAN aircraft.