At least five people were killed and 22 others wounded in an attack on the headquarters of Turkish Aerospace Industries (TUSAS) near Ankara, Turkey. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who was in Russia for talks with Vladimir Putin at the time, confirmed the casualty toll and condemned the incident as a “heinous terrorist attack.” The assault on TUSAS, a key player in Turkey’s defence sector, has sent shockwaves through the nation.

Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya revealed that the attackers included a man and a woman, both of whom were neutralised during the incident. The attack, which occurred at 3:30 pm local time in Kahramankazan, a town 40 kilometres north of Ankara, triggered a massive fire and a loud explosion, followed by gunfire. Security footage showed attackers carrying weapons, and local reports suggest they may have known the facility’s layout, leading experts to believe the assault was premeditated and strategically planned.

Although no group immediately claimed responsibility, Yerlikaya pointed to the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), a group that has conflicted with the Turkish government for decades. An investigation is underway to confirm the organisation behind the attack. Political leaders in Turkey, including opposition figures and international voices such as NATO, condemned the violence, expressing solidarity with Turkey in the face of terrorism.

The attack comes as Turkey is hosting a major defence and aerospace trade fair in Istanbul. TUSAS, known for its work on KAAN, Turkey’s first national combat aircraft, plays a critical role in the country’s growing defence industry, which accounts for a significant portion of national export revenues. The attack raises concerns about the security of key national assets amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.