MKE has pioneered the Turkish defence sector, and is deeply rooted in Turkish history. Its foundation is assumed to be dating back to the 15th century’s Ottoman Empire. MKE was known by different names holding distinct statuses over time, and its core is the cannon foundry to have been built by Mehmet the Conqueror following Istanbul’s conquest.
There was no sound infrastructure available for the defence industry in the early Republican era. The defence industry facilities consisted of small ateliers with workbenches brought to Ankara from then-occupied Istanbul during the Turkish War of Independence.
Ankara is where small arms and cannon repair ateliers and cartridge and carpentry facilities opened between 1921 and 1924. Brass and electrical machinery facilities began their operations in Kırıkkale in 1928, and an ammunition factory (1929) started operating in the same province. Kayaş Pyrotechnics Factory (1931) and Mamak Gas Mask Factory (1935) were opened in the Turkish capital of Ankara. Steel factory, rifle and artillery facilities are the other essential facilities built in Kırıkkale in 1936.
The defence industry is not the sole field for which MKE manufactured products. MKE used to manufacture a wide range of civil products in its facilities. In the 1950s, the first Turkish single-engine aircraft called UĞUR 44 was made. Rail Rolling, sheet metal products and brass material, particular steel rolling mill, pig and ductile iron foundry, electricity meter, military battery are some others first produced by MKE. As an organization having led the newly developing industry branches during the early period of the Turkish Republic, it also contributed with its qualified labour-power and technological strength to establishing such organizations as Türk Traktör, Engine and Tractor Industry Inc. (TÜMOSAN), Turkish Automobile Factory Inc. (TOFAŞ) and Turkey Fertilizer Industry A.Ş. (TÜGSAŞ).
Makina ve Kimya Endüstrisi Kurumu (literally Mechanical and Chemical Industries Corporation in English) was established with Law No. 5591 dated 08 March 1950 to meet the needs of the Turkish Armed Forces. The Law was annulled with the introduction of Statutory Decree No. 105 (KHK) in 1982 and brought under the scope of Decree-Law No. 233 dated 18 June 1984.
From 1950 MKE was tied to the Turkish Ministry of Industry and Trade. Then in 2000, it became the related subsidiary of the Turkish Ministry of National Defense.
From 2019 on, MKE ranks among the top 100 Industrial Enterprises of Türkiye. It continues its activities with the power it has acquired from its history and the awareness of its national duty.
Structural Reorganization of MKE Inc
MKE was structurally reorganized through Law No 7330 published on the Official Gazette dated 03.07.2021 and numbered 31530. With a capital wholly owned by the Turkish Treasury, MKE Inc. is still a Turkish National Defence Ministry subsidiary. The official registration of MKE Inc. was made on 28.07.2021 and announced in the Trade Registry Gazette numbered 10375.