With the guidance and support of the Presidency of Defence Industries (SSB) and Naval Forces Command, Meteksan Defence has assumed important roles for the industrialization, development and production of the YAKAMOS, which is the sonar of Turkey’s first indigenous warship design ADA (MİLGEM) Class frigates. Within the scope of these efforts, Meteksan Defence, which has reached an advanced level of experience in the field of sonar, is preparing to become the sonar supplier of the I-Class frigates built after the ADA Class. Currently, YAKAMOS sonars have entered the inventory of 3 ADA Class Corvettes (TCG Heybeliada (F-511), TCG Büyükada (F-512) and TCG Burgazada (F-513)) and been serving operationally. Sonar has fulfilled many tasks in global seas with these ships.

Making assessments on the infrastructure investments they made in the development process of YAKAMOS sonar, which has become one of the critical systems of ADA class MILGEM corvettes, Meteksan Defence General Manager Selçuk ALPARSLAN said, “We have been performing activities in the field of underwater acoustics since the establishment of Meteksan Defence. In this context, we progressed by working with the SSB and Naval Forces Command. With the technology transfer through ARMERKOM, we have accumulated know-how covering the entire sonar system comprising the electronic systems and algorithms. Regarding the 3rd and 4th vessels of the MİLGEM project, we carried forward the torch that we took over with the developments and improvements that we realized. We also incorporated these developments and improvements in the first 2 vessels of the Project. Behind our efforts, we have more than 10 years of experience, qualified manpower, important infrastructure and competent collaborations. From materials to systems, we accumulated profound expertise. We consider all our assets and know-how in this field as critical and strategic investments for Turkey. One of the projects for which this investment will pay back is undoubtedly the I-Class frigates, which is the continuation of MİLGEM. We are ready to serve the I-Class frigates sonars with YAKAMOS which we have renewed and further developed in light of our experience. Today, Meteksan Defence has reached a point where it can compete with the world in the field of underwater acoustics. Our target is to become a worldwide sonar company in the next 10 years. In order to achieve this goal, we would like to see the great support of the SSB, Naval Forces Command and our shipyards, and we are sure to receive it”.

ALPARSLAN also emphasized that they are aware of the fact that they are also responsible for the ecosystem due to the SSB’s assignment of Meteksan Defence with the approach of the Center of Excellence in Underwater Acoustics and said, “All institutions and organizations that create value in the field of underwater acoustics, including universities, research institutions, the private sector and Naval Forces Command should be coordinated under a single roof and get a share of the cake. They should come together in collaboration to create the Meteksan Defence ecosystem, as Meteksan Defence is Turkey’s sonar company. Thus, we can add value to each other instead of competing in the country and we can achieve the export target of US$ 200 million abroad. If we fail to unite with this common mind today, then pressure of sustainability will bring us to this point sooner or later; but it will be a more challenging process than today. So, I believe the right approach is to compete abroad but to proactively create synergy within the country now”.