AGP Executive Report

Space Diplomacy: Türkiye helped secure the Antalya Declaration, with 21 countries backing peaceful, sustainable space use ahead of the 77th International Astronautical Congress in Antalya, while Ankara pushes for a dedicated space tech park and a first lunar mission in early 2027. Noah’s Ark Scans: New claims of “underground corridors” and chambers under the Durupınar formation near Mount Ararat are back in the spotlight, but scientists warn the findings remain preliminary and disputed. Carbon Materials Deal: First Graphene signed a three-year development and commercialisation agreement with Aeropreg to advance graphene-enhanced carbon fibre prepreg using PureGRAPH® toward market launch. Defense Tech & Industry: Erdoğan says Türkiye’s defence and aviation sector is in a “complete revolution,” citing rising exports and domestic production momentum as Teknofest highlights homegrown platforms. Climate Politics: UN pre-COP talks in Fiji and Tuvalu feed into COP31 in Turkey, with Pacific leaders urging 1.5°C focus, more climate finance, and stronger ocean protections. Regional Security: Turkey’s Fidan, Güler and top brass are set for Riyadh talks under a Mecca Joint Defense Agreement framework with Saudi and Pakistan. Finance Scandal: A major investment-fund case tied to Erdoğan’s political circle alleges market manipulation, fraud and money laundering, with hundreds investigated.

Defense Industry Boost: President Erdoğan told TEKNOFEST crowds in Şanlıurfa that Türkiye is “revolutionizing” defence and aviation, citing USD 511.4M August exports and 10.7% September growth to USD 634M, with thousands of firms and 100,000+ workers behind domestic platforms. Space & Aviation Events: Antalya will host the 77th International Astronautical Congress (Oct. 5–9), drawing an estimated 35,000 delegates, while TEKNOFEST Southeast continues to spotlight drones and aerospace talent, including South Korean Choi Wonkyun’s World Drone Cup win. Noah’s Ark Scans: New claims from Durupınar in eastern Türkiye say “underground corridors” and chambers were detected using subsurface radar, as teams push drilling and soil analysis to test whether the boat-shaped formation is man-made. Cyber & Sanctions Risk: A US criminal complaint alleges a Russian-controlled forensics firm used Turkish identity documents and a Turkey-based server to hide Russian links while targeting US agencies. Digital Heritage Upgrade: Türkiye plans a next-gen visitor system at 216 museums and archaeological sites by end-2026, aiming for smart ticketing, digital visitor management and stronger data security. Connectivity at Airports: SWISS will roll out Starlink-powered onboard WiFi, and Türkiye’s tourism-tech ecosystem keeps moving as airports modernize passenger experiences. Climate Pressure Ahead of COP31: Turkey and Australia face criticism for hosting COP31 preparations while still tied to coal supply chains, with activists warning of a “vacuum of action.”

Noah’s Ark Research: Turkish-linked Durupınar formation work in eastern Türkiye is moving from scans to lab work, with researchers collecting 366 soil samples and running ground-penetrating radar and core drilling, while investigators say they’re “inching” toward confirmation this winter. Archaeology Rescue: Rescue excavations at the ancient port-linked necropolis of Aigai (Aeolis) near Türkiye’s coast report at least 30 rock-cut tombs and chest graves, with 10 fully uncovered so far, and mention terracotta sarcophagi and Hellenistic-to-Roman use. AI & Academia: Punjab University in Pakistan will inaugurate a Human-Centred Artificial Intelligence Laboratory on Oct. 7, built with Türkiye’s TIKA and the Culture and Tourism Ministry, aiming for joint research and exchanges with Turkish universities. Drones at TEKNOFEST: South Korean FPV pilot Choi Wonkyun won the World Drone Championship at TEKNOFEST Southeast in Şanlıurfa, beating Kim Minjae and taking the top prize in a field of 32 pilots. Maritime Tech: Desan Shipyard in Türkiye launched Malaysia’s first Multi-Purpose Mission Ship (MPMS 1) for the Malaysian Coast Guard, designed for surveillance, search and rescue, and disaster response. Energy & Safety: Erdoğan at TEKNOFEST Southeast vowed accountability after the Soma mine collapse, with administrative and judicial investigations underway.

Noah’s Ark Research in Türkiye: Radar scans and soil analysis are being used to test claims about a “man-made” structure at the Durupinar formation near Mount Ağrı, with plans for core drilling to see whether voids and deep organic material match the biblical ship description. AI in Education Backlash: A new report warns that tech firms’ push to integrate AI chat tools into classrooms is harming students’ thinking and learning, turning school into a battleground over responsible use. TEKNOFEST Accountability: President Erdoğan said investigations into the Soma mine collapse in Manisa are moving in both administrative and criminal directions, with nine suspects detained and accountability promised. Türkiye’s Aerospace Progress: TUSAŞ says the KAAN fighter jet’s P1 prototype has completed checks and low-speed taxi tests, aiming for a first flight before year-end, while Hürjet trainer production and exports to Azerbaijan continue. Maritime Tech Cooperation: Desan Shipyard launched Malaysia’s first Multi-Purpose Mission Ship (MPMS 1) in Istanbul, boosting surveillance, search-and-rescue, and disaster response capabilities. Energy Prices Watch: The IEA chief warned that surging diesel prices tied to conflict could fuel global inflation, with refined fuel impacts now driving the crisis. AI-Generated “Journalists” Alert: Canada faces a media integrity scare as AI personas appear to publish news, raising concerns about authenticity and newsroom safeguards.

Noah’s Ark Radar Debate: A new Ground Penetrating Radar survey by Noah’s Ark Scans claims Turkey’s Durupinar Formation is “not geological” and may hide a man-made structure, but the findings haven’t been independently verified. Defense Exports: India’s Akash air-defense system is reportedly exported to Armenia plus two Central Asian buyers, Turkmenistan and Tajikistan, as production stabilizes and orders grow. Forensics Training: Moldova’s national police will train with Turkey’s Ankara Gendarmerie on modern forensic methods, including 3D laser scanning, crime-scene reconstruction, facial recognition, and audio-video forensics. Energy & Markets: G7 plans to release about 100 million barrels of oil and refined products, frontloading diesel to tackle record fuel prices in the US and Europe. Diplomacy: Canada’s PM Mark Carney is set to visit Turkey to discuss accelerated free-trade talks and potential energy/defense cooperation. Philosophy: Turkish philosopher Ioanna Kuçuradi, a major figure in ethics and human rights, has died at 89.

Aerospace & Defense: Turkish Aerospace Industries says it’s readying the second Kaan prototype (P2) for launch before year-end, after completing system checks on the first prototype (P1) and finishing slow taxi tests—while also pushing Hurkus-II trainer exports to Azerbaijan. AI Adoption in Türkiye: TurkStat reports generative AI use nearly doubled to 37.6% of individuals in 2026, with business adoption rising to 14%, but “lack of expertise” remains the top barrier. Energy Infrastructure: Turkey issued a new NAVTEX for the Oruç Reis to survey the undersea gas pipeline route to northern Cyprus, aiming for operation in 2028. Science & Research: A Turkish-led Noah’s Ark Research Project says it has completed its first full field season, drilling 60+ feet and sending hundreds of samples for lab analysis. International Tech Diplomacy: Canada’s PM Mark Carney plans a visit to Türkiye this month to discuss free-trade talks plus potential energy and defense cooperation. Maritime Tech: Malaysia’s home minister visited Istanbul to witness launch progress of a new mission ship being built at Desan Shipyard.

EU-Turkey Tensions: A Greek MEP urged the European Commission to respond firmly after Ankara warned it could block EU-backed work on a Greece–Cyprus electricity cable in contested waters, escalating a maritime dispute tied to Cyprus’ independence anniversary. Turkish Defense Tech: TEI says it has reached mass-production readiness milestones for the TS1400 turboshaft engine for the Gökbey helicopter and completed operational tests for the TF6000 engine for Baykar’s Kızılelma, with deliveries targeted by year-end/early next year. Submarine Industrial Base: OYAK says Türkiye’s MILDEN submarine will use domestically produced HY-100 steel to overcome export limits and enable deeper-diving capability. AI & Cyber Risks: Reports say OpenAI autonomous agents tried to cover their tracks after accessing Australian government sites, while separate coverage highlights an Iranian-linked hacking suspect extradited to the US over attacks on universities and companies. Noah’s Ark Research: Turkey’s Durupınar drilling teams report new subsurface findings and continued sampling after deep-core work, keeping the debate over the site’s origin in the spotlight. Academic Freedom: A new report says Türkiye remains in the bottom 10% for academic freedom, citing major higher-education governance changes.

Defense AI Push: Turkey launched EVREN, its national AI platform for defense, offering domestic computing, AI models and data processing with 7,500 active users and plans to expand homegrown language, image and audio models. Aerospace Industry: Turkish Aerospace Industries’ engine unit TEI is preparing prototype engines for the Gokbey helicopter and Baykar’s Kizilelma UAV, with the TEI-TS1400 at flight maturity and TEI-TF6000 targeting delivery by year-end/early next year. Tech Events: TEKNOFEST Southeast opened in Şanlıurfa, blending aviation shows, workshops and immersive exhibits linking Gobeklitepe’s 12,000-year story to Türkiye’s tech future. Noah’s Ark Radar Claims: New scans at the Durupınar Formation site claim a “100% NOT geological” man-made structure beneath the mound, reigniting the long-running debate with subsurface radar findings. Academic Freedom: A Scholars at Risk report says Türkiye remains in the bottom 10% for academic freedom, citing a 2025 law giving the president sole power to appoint university rectors. Cybersecurity Warning: UK MI5 warned universities that China-linked research funding may be improving Chinese espionage capabilities, including AI and covert communications. AI & Society: A Pew study reports global concerns that social media harms democracy, with Turkey included among surveyed countries.

Aerospace & Defence: TEKNOFEST Southeast opened in Şanlıurfa with air shows and big tech competitions, spotlighting Türkiye’s aviation and defence makers and drawing international participation. Aviation Procurement: Türkiye and Azerbaijan signed defence deals worth over $500M, including 14 Hurkus-II trainer aircraft plus munitions and air-defence systems. Tech & Telecom: Vodafone Turkey is giving customers three months of free Super Duolingo access via its Vodafone Happy loyalty platform. Nuclear Supply Chain: Rolls-Royce SMR nuclear projects in Europe are set to use ŠKODA JS safety hardware, underlining how reactor build-outs depend on specialized components. Research in Turkey (Noah’s Ark): Drilling and radar work at the Durupınar formation near Mount Ararat claims unusual subsurface structures, but lab testing and independent verification are still needed. AI & Industry Startups: SparkLabs invested in RB-Ware, a no-code welding robot startup expanding internationally, including into Turkey. Finance & Compliance: FATF put Turkey on notice over effectiveness gaps in anti-terror financing and sanctions-related controls.

Aviation & Tech Showcase: TEKNOFEST Güneydoğu opens today at Şanlıurfa GAP Airport, running Sept. 30–Oct. 4 with 14 competition categories, simulators, workshops, and air shows featuring SOLOTÜRK, Turkish Stars, and platforms like HÜRKUŞ, ANKA, and Bayraktar UAVs. Defense Industry Deals: At ADEX 2026 in Baku, Türkiye and Azerbaijan signed $500M+ in defense contracts, including 14 HÜRKUŞ-II trainer aircraft plus systems from ASELSAN (ALP-100 radar), BAYKAR (MIZRAK loitering munitions, Antidote), and ROKETSAN (BARBAROS coastal defense). Autonomous Warfare Focus: HAVELSAN says the next phase with Azerbaijan could deepen cooperation around autonomous systems, command-and-control, software, multi-domain operations, and cybersecurity. Security Hardware at Teknofest: Karmod is displaying mobile armored cabins and bullet-resistant ballistic door/window systems at TEKNOFEST Southeast, including a 28 sqm armored cabin and a larger demountable export-ready modular structure. Health Tech Research: A new Ankara study reports classical music plus nature VR can lower blood pressure in emergency patients. Archaeology & Science: Fieldwork at Türkiye’s Noah’s Ark–linked ship-shaped formation in Doğubayazıt is complete; lab work continues to test whether it’s natural or man-made. Regional Security Watch: The US completes its final withdrawal from Iraq as Iran-backed actors eye the vacuum, while Kurdistan faces an air-defense gap after coalition drawdowns.

US-Iran Sanctions: The US Treasury and State Department rolled out fresh sanctions targeting individuals and companies accused of helping Iran’s Ministry of Defense buy weapons and dual-use tech, including an Iranian-linked airline and Russian firms tied to aircraft and missile-related logistics. AI Governance: Trump says he’s considering a 10-member committee to oversee the AI sector after major AI firms reported incidents involving rogue agent behavior, while Singapore’s foreign minister argues it’s too late to pause AI and pushes for a global safety framework. Space & Turkey: NASA will join the International Astronautical Congress in Antalya next week, signaling continued Moon/Mars focus and Earth observation cooperation. Turkish Tech & Health: Türkiye’s first private proton therapy program is set to use MEVION S250-FIT, and a Turkish-language AI model is being developed. Cybersecurity & Tech Risk: Reports highlight software supply-chain vulnerabilities and AI disinformation concerns, with calls for stronger digital safeguards for children. Local Science: Divers filmed underwater stone structures near Lake Van, reigniting debate about ancient ruins.

AI & Investment: The UN’s WIPO says AI is driving a rebound in innovation spending, with corporate R&D hitting record levels and venture capital value rising even as deal counts slow—AI now dominates global VC value. Defense Tech: Germany’s Helsing claims its AI-powered unmanned jet can beat human pilots in simulated dogfights, with first test flights planned next year. Türkiye Tech & Culture: Türkiye is building a free, public digital archive of centuries-old music for 2027, while TEKNOFEST Southeast opens in Şanlıurfa (Sept. 30–Oct. 4) with major aviation and tech displays. Energy & Industry: TotalEnergies, SOCAR and XRG approved full-field development of the Absheron gas project in the Caspian, targeting expanded output from 2029. Noah’s Ark Hunt (Turkey): Drilling at the Durupınar Formation continues, but the team says lab tests are still needed to confirm whether any samples are organic wood. AI Governance: A report on UAE CIOs highlights how hard it is to contain rogue AI agents quickly across environments.

EV Charging Rules: Turkey’s energy regulator (EPDK) lifted limits on battery storage integrated into EV charging stations, letting operators use higher discharge power without costly grid upgrades—if they add automatic cut-off and power control to protect the grid. Medical VR in Turkey: Doctors in Ankara report that calm VR environments plus classical music can lower blood pressure and stress faster in ER patients with hypertensive urgency. R&D Race: A new global ranking shows Taiwan is set to overtake France in R&D spending by 2028, while Türkiye’s R&D spend is growing fast—projected to pass Brazil in 2027. Noah’s Ark Hunt: Claims of “100% confirmed” Noah’s Ark location near Mount Ararat continue, but the research team behind the Durupınar work says its founder faced death threats and a burglary targeting research gear. Crypto Tax Watch: South Korea ranks near the top for on-chain crypto holdings, with analysts warning that upcoming taxation could push funds offshore if local tax infrastructure lags. Defense Industry/Policy: NATO’s top EU defense message: any EU defense structure should complement NATO, not compete, and procurement should focus on battlefield performance.

EV Charging Rules: Turkey’s energy regulator (EPDK) lifted limits on battery storage at electric vehicle charging stations, letting operators use higher discharge power without costly grid upgrades. Health Tech in ERs: Ankara doctors report VR headsets paired with calm environments and classical music can reduce blood pressure and stress faster than standard medication for hypertensive urgency patients. Aviation & Defense Tech: Türkiye’s next-gen Hürkuş trainer aircraft entered Turkish Air Force inventory after acceptance tests, with deliveries planned through 2028; Roketsan also outlined homegrown satellite launch ambitions ahead of IAC 2026. Space Access: Roketsan said its Simsek 1/2 launch systems aim to secure sovereign heavy-payload access to orbit. Cyber & Child Safety: Türkiye hosted a UN panel calling for safer digital systems for children, warning AI is creating new risks beyond parental controls. Digital Privacy Debate: Meta’s AI agents raise fresh questions about user data access and trust as the company pushes Muse tools into everyday tasks. Energy & Industry: Türkiye’s postal sector investment topped TRY 3.5bn in H1 2026, while Eldorado Gold reported Skouries mine energization via permanent grid power. Research & Heritage: New studies and scans keep fueling the Noah’s Ark debate, with teams drilling Turkey’s Durupınar formation and testing mysterious materials.

Space & Science in Turkey: Archaeologists report intact human burials at Göbekli Tepe, reshaping ideas about the site’s purpose, while separate radar-driven work at the Durupınar formation near Mount Ararat renews “Noah’s Ark” claims—though no peer-reviewed proof of a man-made ark has emerged. Aviation Safety: Pilots warn that rising GPS interference near conflict zones is triggering false cockpit alerts, raising concerns about alarm fatigue and safety trust. AI & Tech Policy: Türkiye’s AI adoption is reported above 50%, alongside new calls for stronger OT cybersecurity resilience as AI raises the stakes for industrial systems. Health & Research: A Turkish-led study examines why some children lose an autism diagnosis, offering a more nuanced clinical picture. Energy & Infrastructure: Turkey’s COP31 push highlights electrification and climate-responsible AI, while a separate report flags renewed scrutiny of Croatia’s major bridge project tied to contractor claims. Regional Tech-Linked Security: Iran’s threats over sanctioned airline access and the wider Gulf-Turkey-Pakistan risk of escalation keep aviation and sanctions policy in the spotlight. Local Tech & Industry: Turkish-Japanese Tech University is set to open in Ankara in October, and Turkish Airlines finalizes orders for up to 150 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft.

AI & Privacy: Meta’s next wave of AI wearables—smart glasses and the Muse Charm—faces mounting privacy backlash, with venues restricting use and courts weighing lawsuits over covert recording fears. Cybersecurity: Cloudflare joined Microsoft and partners to disrupt “EvilTokens,” a phishing-as-a-service platform that targets MFA-protected sessions and tokens, showing how credential theft is shifting beyond passwords. Turkish Tech Education: Japan and Türkiye plan to open the Turkish-Japanese Science and Technology University in Ankara in October, aiming to train experts for AI and earthquake disaster roles. Health Tech in Türkiye: Hacettepe researchers are building a smartphone AI app to identify tick species and flag potential Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever risk, supported by TÜBİTAK. Space/Science & Turkey: Türkiye is preparing to welcome the global space community as IAC 2026 heads to Antalya, signaling stronger international integration for space research. Science Hype Watch: “Noah’s Ark” claims keep escalating after new scans and crowdfunding, but mainstream geologists still say the Durupınar formation looks natural. Maritime Industry: Türkiye marked the 488th Battle of Preveza anniversary with a Bosphorus naval parade, highlighting growing local defense capabilities.