TEKNOFEST Blue Homeland (2026)

TEKNOFEST Mavi Vatan, as part of TEKNOFEST 2026, will be held from 20 to 23 August 2026 at the Gölcük Shipyard Command in Gölcük, Kocaeli. This event brings together maritime culture, advanced technology, innovative youth projects and defense industry capabilities. Organized under the primary leadership of the Ministry of National Defense of the Republic of Türkiye and the Türkiye Technology Team Foundation (T3 Foundation), it embodies the maritime dimension of the National Technology Initiative vision.

TEKNOFEST Mavi Vatan, to be held from 20 to 23 August 2026, will unite technology enthusiasts around the themes of maritime and underwater technologies. It has been announced that the event will be hosted by the Gölcük Shipyard Command under the primary leadership of the Ministry of Industry and Technology, the Ministry of National Defense of the Republic of Türkiye and the Türkiye Technology Team Foundation (T3 Foundation). The event aims to integrate maritime culture, advanced technology, youth innovation projects and defense industry capabilities, connect Türkiye’s maritime technological capacity with the younger generation, and build a future vision centered on domestic and national technologies.

TEKNOFEST Mavi Vatan was first held in Istanbul in 2025. The event featured domestic and national maritime vessels, underwater technologies and various competitions.

TEKNOFEST Mavi Vatan 2026 will host a variety of competitions in the fields of maritime, underwater technologies, culture and sports. Technology and engineering-focused competitions include the Unmanned Underwater Systems Competition, the Unmanned Maritime Vehicle Competition and the Underwater Rocket Competition.

In addition to technology competitions, the festival includes cultural and content creation initiatives such as the KÜRE TEKNOFEST Mavi Vatan Article Writing Competition and the Mavi Vatan Painting Competition. The KÜRE TEKNOFEST Mavi Vatan Article Writing Competition will be held in the Encyclopedia Article and Blog categories.

The Open Water Swimming Competitions under TEKNOFEST Mavi Vatan are scheduled to take place on 22 August in Gölcük, Kocaeli. Competitors will race along a 1500-meter course starting at the Değirmendere Pier and finishing at the Navy Boathouse.

On Saturday, 22 August, athletes will gather in the morning at the Navy Sailing and Water Sports Facilities to complete numbering and preparation procedures, after which they will be transported by buses provided by the organizers to the starting point at Gölcük Değirmendere Pier. Following final briefings at the start area, the race will begin at 10:30 for male athletes and at 10:45 for female athletes.

Licensed male and female athletes aged 13 and older are eligible to participate. Participants must hold a valid 2025-2026 license issued by the Turkish Swimming Federation, Turkish Triathlon Federation or Turkish Modern Pentathlon Federation. Licenses from other federations will not be accepted.

Registrations for the TEKNOFEST 2026 Mavi Vatan Open Water Swimming Competitions will be accepted until 17:00 on Thursday, 20 August via the official event website www.teknofest.org. The checklist for the competition will be announced on Friday, 21 August. Following the completion of the race, an award ceremony will be held at the finish line, the Navy Boathouse, at 13:30.

In addition to medals, various prizes will be awarded to top finishers: a smartwatch for first place, a smart bracelet for second place, and waterproof headphones for third place.

According to announcements by TEKNOFEST, traditional maritime skills requiring strength, coordination, solidarity and expertise—tug of war, rope throwing and dragon boat racing—will be featured during TEKNOFEST Mavi Vatan. The tug of war and rope throwing competitions will run for four days, while the dragon boat race will take place on 22–23 August. The event will showcase teams competing at the end of a 90-meter rope, participants hurling a 30-meter rope toward a target, and dragon boat teams racing over a 300-meter course.

The tug of war competition, expected to be one of the most popular events of TEKNOFEST Mavi Vatan, will be held daily between 10:00 and 11:30 during the festival. A total of 15 teams will compete, each striving to pull a 90-meter rope across the center line with three markers.

The rope throwing competition, a traditional maritime practice, will be held daily between 15:00 and 16:00. A total of 15 teams will participate, with competitors attempting to throw a 30-meter rope as far as possible toward a target.

The dragon boat race will take place on 22–23 August between 12:00 and 13:00. Thirteen teams will compete, each consisting of 10 athletes. Teams will paddle their boats as quickly as possible over the 300-meter course to reach the finish line.

Visitor registrations for TEKNOFEST Mavi Vatan 2026 began on 5 August 2026. As participation is free, visitors must register online in advance via the event website. Registration can be completed at "https://mth.tc/TEKNOFESTMAVIVATAN2026".

As the event has limited capacity, each visitor must register individually. Children under 7 years of age do not require registration. Visitor entry and exit to the event area will be permitted between 09:00 and 18:00.

During the festival, visitors will have the opportunity to tour key vessels of the Turkish Navy and experience maritime and defense technologies firsthand. Tourists will be able to visit important Turkish Navy ships including TCG Savarona, TCG Anadolu, TCG 18 Mart Submarine and TCG Murat Reis Submarine.

Throughout the event, demonstrations by SAT, SAS and naval aviation units will be held. In addition, representatives of TEKNOFEST partner institutions will provide information to visitors about their activities in the fields of technology and defense industry at designated exhibition booths.

Experience zones reflecting maritime history, virtual reality gaming areas and various competitions aimed at preserving maritime culture will also be part of the festival atmosphere. Special areas will be available for visitors to take commemorative photographs.

19 August 2026, prior to TEKNOFEST Mavi Vatan, distinguished platforms of the Turkish Navy—including TCG Anadolu, TCG Heybeliada, TCG Derya and TCG Preveze—alongside the Bayraktar TB2, Bayraktar TB3 and AKINCI unmanned aerial vehicles, will conduct a salute passage through the Gulf of İzmit.

Under TEKNOFEST’s call “Take the Turkish Flag, Come to the Gulf”, citizens will witness the naval fleet’s passage and the salute flights of national aerial vehicles. The event will showcase Türkiye’s strength, independence and national defense industry capabilities at sea.

The salute passage will begin at 08:00 in Yalova and follow the route through Altınova, Karamürsel, Ereğli, Ulaşlı, Halıdere, Değirmendere, Gölcük, Kavaklı, Başiskele, İzmit and SEKA Park, concluding in Derince at 13:00. Participating vessels and submarines of the Turkish Naval Forces will include TCG Anadolu, TCG Heybeliada, TCG Derya, TCG Preveze and TCG Salihreis among others.

Between 13:00 and 14:00, naval aircraft, patrol aircraft, helicopters and unmanned aerial vehicles will perform a salute flight over the gulf. Bayraktar TB2, Bayraktar TB3 and AKINCI will salute the Gulf of İzmit from the sky. Between 14:20 and 14:30, the Turkish Stars will perform an aerial demonstration.

The opening ceremony of TEKNOFEST Mavi Vatan was attended by Minister of National Defense Yaşar Güler, Minister of Youth and Sports Osman Aşkın Bak, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Türkiye Technology Team Foundation (T3 Foundation) and Chairman of the TEKNOFEST Board of Directors Selçuk Bayraktar, General Manager of ASELSAN Ahmet Akyol, Head of the Defense Industry Haluk Görgün, Commander of the Naval Forces Admiral Ercüment Tatlıoğlu, Chairman and General Manager of the Anadolu Agency Serdar Karagöz, Governor of Kocaeli İlhami Aktaş, Mayor of Kocaeli Metropolitan Municipality Tahir Büyükakın and Mayor of Gölcük Ali Yıldırım Sezer. Following the opening speeches, participants took a group photograph.

Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Türkiye Technology Team Foundation (T3 Foundation) and Chairman of the TEKNOFEST Board of Directors Selçuk Bayraktar, in his opening address, celebrated the upcoming Victory Day on 30 August and paid tribute with reverence to Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, his comrades and all the martyrs. Bayraktar stated that growing up immersed in the sea taught him to face the waves and never give in. He emphasized that his father Özdemir Bayraktar, who dedicated his life to the National Technology Initiative, was also a passionate advocate of the “Mavi Vatan” and consistently highlighted the strategic importance of the seas.

^{Selçuk Bayraktar, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Türkiye Technology Team Foundation (T3 Foundation) and Chairman of the TEKNOFEST Board of Directors, speaking at the opening ceremony, 20 August 2026 – (Anadolu Ajansı)}

Bayraktar drew attention to the fact that Türkiye’s land area is approximately 783,000 square kilometers while its maritime jurisdictional areas amount to 462,000 square kilometers. He remarked: “Clearly, if our homeland on land is our hearth, then the ‘Mavi Vatan’ is the garden where we find peace. Just as we would never abandon one room of our home, we will never abandon even a single drop of our ‘Mavi Vatan.’ That is why we are here—to instill in our youth a love for our seas and a consciousness of the ‘Mavi Vatan.’”

Bayraktar explained that the event revives maritime culture through swimming, sailing and rowing competitions as well as demonstrations by SAT and SAS commandos, while young participants advance future technologies through competitions in Unmanned Underwater Systems, Underwater Rockets and Unmanned Marine Vehicles. Bayraktar noted that key elements of the navy—from the historic Savarona to Türkiye’s first UCAV-capable ship TCG Anadolu, and from TCG İstanbul to submarines—have met the public. He added: “The Bayraktar TB3, developed by my colleagues at Baykar, has opened a new era in global naval aviation with its ability to take off and land from TCG Anadolu. Throughout TEKNOFEST Mavi Vatan, AKINCI and Bayraktar TB3 will soar across the skies, greeting you and the Gulf, and shouting our independence to the world.”

Bayraktar reminded citizens that they can register for participation and visits to events via the “NSosyal” platform. Announcing that the TEKNOFEST spirit will be transferred to Southeastern Türkiye after the Gölcük event, Bayraktar invited all citizens to attend TEKNOFEST Southeastern, which will begin in Şanlıurfa on 30 September.

Offering advice as an engineer elder brother to the youth, Bayraktar continued: “Remember, no wind benefits a ship without a course or destination. When setting sail on the sea of life, have your own high ideal, your own KIZILELMA. Do not follow the routes of others that will drag you into endless whirlpools and darkness; instead, proceed along direct paths that benefit humanity. Moreover, how high you rise toward the heavens and vast oceans depends on how deeply you hold onto your roots and values. A sapling whose roots are confined to narrow molds and severed from its civilization is doomed to fall at the first strong wind. Cling tightly to your roots so you can challenge storms and stand upright.”

^{Selçuk Bayraktar, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Türkiye Technology Team Foundation (T3 Foundation) and Chairman of the TEKNOFEST Board of Directors, speaking at the opening ceremony, 20 August 2026 – (Anadolu Ajansı)}

Selçuk Bayraktar emphasized that today’s world is experiencing a moral and ethical collapse, with justice, compassion and international law being disregarded. He stressed that the current global system offers no hope to humanity. Highlighting that the struggle for the “Mavi Vatan” is not merely a technological initiative, he said: “This effort is a fight for justice and independence. The reconstruction of this shattered world will be carried out by the sun-faced children of our civilization—you, the TEKNOFEST generation. May we meet in that beautiful world encircled by freedom, justice and prosperity. Stay with love. Our path is open, our bow is true, our horizon is KIZILELMA.”

FNSS Defense Systems Inc. unveiled the multi-purpose modular unmanned amphibious vehicle İ-ZAHA at TEKNOFEST Mavi Vatan. The unveiling ceremony, attended by Minister of National Defense Yaşar Güler, featured Minister Güler receiving information from FNSS General Manager and Board Member Selim Baybaş. Baybaş highlighted the economic benefits of the vehicle delivered to the Turkish Armed Forces, stating: “We rapidly brought to life the unmanned version of our ZAHA vehicles and presented them to you.”

According to a written statement by FNSS, İ-ZAHA establishes contact with enemy coastal defenses before manned vehicles and ensures operators remain in safe zones throughout their mission. This 8-ton platform can transition seamlessly from sea to shore, achieving a speed of 7 knots in water and 70 kilometers per hour on land. Thanks to interchangeable payload modules that can be changed in approximately 40 minutes, İ-ZAHA enables 10 different mission configurations including fire support, mine clearance, engineering vehicle, electronic warfare, reconnaissance, tactical deception, drone defense, navigation and marking, logistics support and casualty evacuation.

Designed to operate autonomously, remotely or in hybrid mode, İ-ZAHA has a range of 3 kilometers. This range can be extended across all variants using unmanned aerial vehicle relay support. İ-ZAHA can be transported by land, rail or sea, and when rapid deployment to remote locations is required, it can be carried by heavy-lift helicopters and aircraft. Transport operations can be conducted using heavy-lift helicopters and strategic transport aircraft such as the CH-47F Chinook, Mil Mi-26, C-130 Hercules, A400M, C-17 Globemaster, C-5 Galaxy, An-124 and Il-76.

İ-ZAHA’s AI-supported image processing architecture analyzes camera feeds in real time and transmits data via radio link to maintain low-latency target awareness even in bandwidth-limited environments. The system marks detected objects with colored visuals and detailed intelligence cards based on threat level, type and status, prioritizing targets for operators and reducing their scanning workload through integration with automatic target detection and fire control systems. Detected targets can be tracked and time-stamped for recording, and any defined target or rule can be instantly applied to live video feeds. Additionally, İ-ZAHA is the first unmanned vehicle to integrate the structural integrity monitoring system “Armor Integrity” developed by Nurol Technology.

Developed as a next-generation strike capability for naval warfare, the TUFAN Kamikaze Unmanned Marine Vehicle (UMV) was launched into water for the first time in Türkiye on 20 August. TUFAN will be exhibited to visitors between 20 and 23 August at the Gölcük Naval Shipyard Command during TEKNOFEST Mavi Vatan.

At TEKNOFEST Mavi Vatan, a navigation demonstration was conducted with the autonomous underwater vehicle Deringöz and the kamikaze autonomous underwater vehicle Kılıç 10. Under the Unmanned Underwater Systems Navigation Demonstration, autonomous systems developed by engineers and planned to play a strategic role in future maritime operations were introduced. Platforms capable of operating without human intervention in environments with limited human access are regarded as critical technologies for the future of the seas.

First to enter the water was the Deringöz autonomous underwater vehicle, which performed a controlled dive to demonstrate its navigation and scanning capabilities. Equipped with useful payloads such as sonar, cameras, acoustic modems and wireless communication equipment, the vehicle features depth control, autonomous navigation and advanced sensing capabilities. Using synthetic aperture sonar, Deringöz collected data usable for both civilian and military applications. After autonomously completing its designated route, the vehicle activated its payloads, completed its mission and returned to its starting point.

In the second part of the demonstration, the kamikaze autonomous underwater vehicle Kılıç 10, positioned as an asymmetric force multiplier in maritime security, took center stage. Kılıç 10 integrates advanced detection, navigation, communication and autonomy capabilities within a compact structure. In addition to multiple communication options, the vehicle can also utilize fiber-optic control. To enable precise underwater maneuvering, it is equipped with four horizontal and one vertical thrusters. During its mission, Kılıç 10 perceives its surroundings, evaluates its position and transmits collected data to the ground control station. The system also stands out for its ability to track identified targets via live camera feeds upon operator request.

^{TEKNOFEST Mavi Vatan, 20 August 2026 - (Anadolu Agency)}

Under the auspices of TEKNOFEST Mavi Vatan, the Sailing Competitions, organized by the Commander of the Naval Forces, showcased the essence of maritime tradition, courage, team spirit and naval discipline. The Sailing Competitions, scheduled to run for four days under the Naval Forces Command, attracted intense public interest. On the first day of TEKNOFEST Mavi Vatan, visitors arrived at Gölcük Naval Shipyard Command from early morning, eager to witness Türkiye’s defense industry products firsthand.

The first event of the Sailing Competitions was the Rope Pulling Competition. Teams demonstrated strength, coordination and strategy as they competed to pull a 90-meter rope across three markers to their side. Participating teams included the Command of the Naval War College, Southern Sea Area Command, Fleet Command, Amphibious Operations Group Command, Istanbul Shipyard Command of the Ministry of National Defense, Naval Aviation Command, Northern Sea Area Command, Submarine Fleet Command, Naval Education and Training Command, İzmir Shipyard Command of the Ministry of National Defense, Gölcük Shipyard Command of the Ministry of National Defense, Mine Fleet Command, Logistics Support Operations Group Command, Naval Technical Command and Naval Non-Commissioned Officers Vocational School Command. The competitions will also be held on 21, 22 and 23 August.

In the Anchor Throw Competition, held as part of the Sailing Competitions, participants’ marksmanship and naval reflexes were tested by aiming to accurately and smoothly throw an anchor rope onto a target at a specified distance. Competitors threw the rope without crossing the designated line and delivered their most accurate throw within two attempts. Scoring was based on time, accuracy, style and safety.

Teams participating in the Anchor Throw Competition included the Command of the Naval War College, Southern Sea Area Command, Fleet Command, Amphibious Operations Group Command, Istanbul Shipyard Command of the Ministry of National Defense, Naval Aviation Command, Northern Sea Area Command, Submarine Fleet Command, Naval Education and Training Command, İzmir Shipyard Command of the Ministry of National Defense, Gölcük Shipyard Command of the Ministry of National Defense, Mine Fleet Command, Logistics Support Operations Group Command, Naval Technical Command and Naval Non-Commissioned Officers Vocational School Command. Teams threw the 30-meter anchor rope toward a target located 25 meters away. The competitions will also be held on 21, 22 and 23 August.

The Sprint Swimming Race was held as part of the TEKNOFEST Mavi Vatan events. In the 13–15 Years Sprint Swimming Race over a 150-meter course, 11 athletes competed fiercely for first place. Winner Tuna Büyükpınar told an AA reporter that the competition was extremely exciting. He added: “I wanted to see this race here. I was curious about the atmosphere. The course was 150 meters total. It was very enjoyable. We competed intensely. I also congratulate the others.”

Büyükpınar, noting it was his first time seeing warships, said: “I did not expect them to be this large. Swimming between them was thrilling. Especially swimming within this crowd made it even more exciting.”

On the following day (21 August), the 16-Year-Old Sprint Swimming Race will be held as part of TEKNOFEST Mavi Vatan.

The Submarine Attack (SAT) and Submarine Defense (SAS) commandos under the Naval Forces Command delivered thrilling demonstrations at TEKNOFEST Mavi Vatan, showcasing the operational capabilities of the Naval Forces Command.

In one scenario, a drifting mine, unmanned marine vehicle and suspicious object in the Black Sea were neutralized by personnel parachuting from a helicopter. In another scenario, a hostage kidnapped by a terrorist on shore was rescued by a raid conducted by SAT teams using ATAK boats.

In another operation, a covert attack and infiltration into a port were executed. Divers emerging from underwater stealthily infiltrated the port and destroyed critical underwater infrastructure and cables. After successfully completing the operation, the team surfaced and unfurled the Turkish flag. In the final scenario, a boarding and capture operation was carried out to rescue a commercial vessel seized by terrorist elements. The demonstration concluded with the slogan “Discipline is our creed, duty is our love, our lives are sacrificed for this country,” and received enthusiastic applause from the audience.

Flight demonstrations by aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) under the Naval Aviation Command attracted significant attention from participants. On the first day of the festival, Seahawk and Cobra helicopters of the Naval Aviation Command, along with Bayraktar TB2, Bayraktar TB3 and Bayraktar AKINCI, performed aerial displays over Gölcük, drawing intense public interest.

The joint band of the Northern Sea Area Command and the Naval Education and Training Command performed a concert as part of TEKNOFEST Mavi Vatan in Kocaeli. At TEKNOFEST Mavi Vatan, which showcases Türkiye’s power, independence and national defense capabilities at sea, the joint band presented a repertoire of diverse pieces. Audience members occasionally joined in singing along with the band’s performances. The concert concluded with enthusiastic applause from the attendees.

Children attending the Science Show at TEKNOFEST Mavi Vatan in Kocaeli experienced hands-on scientific experiments. On the TEKNOFEST Mavi Vatan stage, an experiment was conducted using superabsorbent polymer material and water, and a pressure-induced explosion was created using water and dry ice. The Science Show, which captured children’s interest, provided information on the speed of water absorption and the explosive force generated by the interaction of dry ice and water. Children who appeared on stage during experiments on water evaporation, the journey of carbon dioxide and liquid nitrogen rain showers participated under supervision and experienced scientific exploration.

At TEKNOFEST Mavi Vatan in Kocaeli, the “Science Street Workshops” enabled children to learn new knowledge through practical activities while enjoying fun, science-centered experiences. As part of the T3 Foundation’s “Science Türkiye” project under TEKNOFEST Mavi Vatan, which highlights Türkiye’s maritime power, independence and defense capabilities, children aged 6 to 14 participated in six workshops focused on maritime themes. Participants received hands-on education and had the opportunity to explore the underwater world. Attendees enjoyed engaging activities and acquired new knowledge.

Expert in Education and R&D Coordination at the T3 Foundation, Kübra Sarı, told AA that her team established the Science Street Workshops under the Science Türkiye Project. Sarı stated: “We conducted six science center workshops under the Mavi Vatan concept, all related to maritime themes. Interest in the Science Street Workshops is high. Seeing this makes us happy. Participants leave here delighted.”