İlber Ortaylı's comment on TCG Anadolu: 'I was very impressed!'

Published: August 30, 2025, 10:40

Professor Dr. İlber Ortaylı couldn't hide his admiration as he toured the TCG Anadolu . Expressing his feelings with the words, "I was truly amazed and deeply moved," the renowned historian emphasized the strategic importance of the ship, which boasts a runway capacity of over 200 meters. He remarked, "This is a floating army," referencing the TCG Anadolu's defensive power. He also emphasized that the ability of aircraft operating from this ship to control an area of ​​over 1,000 square kilometers represents a significant strength for Turkey.

İlber Ortaylı stated that modern defense technologies did not emerge suddenly. He emphasized that this power stems from the engineering reforms of the 18th century and the artillery know-how dating back to the reign of Mehmed the Conqueror. Ortaylı stated, "No technological power emerges suddenly. It is backed by historical knowledge and a skilled human resource," and he emphasized that Türkiye is part of this tradition, citing examples from the United States and China.

Ortaylı evaluated the Turks' transition from a steppe culture to a maritime culture throughout history. He emphasized the importance of establishing shipyards during the Ottoman era, saying, "It didn't take us five centuries to set sail, but we made up for it quickly." According to him, the secret to the Turkish navy's success was its organizational skills. Thanks to this skill, a powerful navy was built during the empire's era and played an active role on the world stage.

Ortaylı also highlighted the changes in the global order, saying, "We need this now like bread and water," emphasizing the vital importance of defense technologies. He also emphasized the need to develop engineering and technical expertise in education, emphasizing that well-trained human resources are the most critical element of the future.