Defence Industry Executive Committee (SSİK), headed by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, convened on January 31, 2018. This first meeting of the new year drew remarkable attention; not only it was lengthy but also it had a loaded agenda.

Taking into account that President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan had also presided over the meetings during his position as Prime Minister, it is apparent that he had background information on the subjects debated. However, this time, the structure of the SSİK was a novelty for everyone. The meeting was attended by Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım, Minister of National Defence Nurettin Canikli, Minister of Interior Süleyman Soylu, Turkish Armed Forces Chief of General Staff Hulusi Akar and Undersecretary for Defense Industries Prof. Dr. İsmail Demir.