Several of Türkiye's leading defence companies no longer allow foreign-made electric vehicles onto their campuses because of security concerns, the head of engine maker TUSAŞ Engine Industries (TEI) has said.
Mahmut Faruk Akşit made the remarks at a conference titled "Changing Threats in a Changing World: Artificial Intelligence, Biology, and Genetics" at Pamukkale University in the western province of Denizli over the weekend, according to a report published on October 12.
Akşit named Aselsan, Roketsan, Havelsan and TEI as the companies applying the restriction. Together they are among the main pillars of Türkiye's rapidly expanding defence industry, producing electronics and radar systems, missiles, software and aircraft engines.
Cameras, sensors and AI scenarios
Akşit argued that artificial intelligence-driven war simulations almost always treat cars as potential missiles and can take control of them, describing this as extremely dangerous.
He also said that the cameras, sensors and software in modern electric vehicles could be exploited to collect sensitive information or compromise security at defence facilities.
This was the first public disclosure of the policy. Akşit did not say when it was introduced or how long it had been in place, and did not single out any particular country of manufacture.
Part of a wider trend
Concerns about connected vehicles have grown in several countries as cars increasingly rely on internet connectivity, onboard cameras and remotely updated software. In the United States, Chinese-made smart and electric vehicles have been banned from military bases, and a Commerce Department rule bars Chinese- and Russian-origin software and hardware in connected vehicles operating in the country. Chinese automaker BYD has been placed on a Pentagon list of restricted companies.
The move is notable in Türkiye, where Chinese brands have gained a significant share of the electric vehicle market in recent years. Türkiye also produces its own electric car brand, Togg, which is backed by a consortium of Turkish companies.
Turkish defence firms have grown into significant exporters in recent years and have placed growing emphasis on protecting sensitive technology and production sites.
Sources
Photo: Matti Blume / CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
