Date: Issue 82 - June 2018
As a result of policies implemented by Turkey’s defense and security procurement agency the Undersecretariat for Defense Industries (SSM), over the last decade aimed at boosting the local defense industry and improving self-sufficiency in defense system procurements, the Turkish Defense and Aerospace Industry has reached a high degree of self-sufficiency. According to Undersecretary for Defense Industries, Prof İsmail Demir, Turkey’s domestic industry has reached a level of capability in which it can now meet around 70% of the military system requirements of the Turkish Armed Forces (TAF)
SSM has been meeting the Turkish Armed Forces’ (TAF) wheeled armored vehicles requirement from local sources since late 1980s. As one of the strongest sectors of the Turkish Defense and Aerospace Industry, the Land Platforms Sector is now able to meet almost all of the requirements for the Turkish Land Forces (TLF), Gendarmerie General Command (GGC) and Security General Directorate (SGD/Turkish National Police) for tracked and wheeled armored vehicles with indigenous solutions, with the next target in this field being the design, development and manufacture of a 3+ Generation Main Battle Tank.