A signing ceremony was held for 6 new R&D projects initiated by the Presidency Defense Industries (SSB) in 2020.

February 18, 2021, President of Defense Industries Prof. İsmail DEMİR, President of TÜBİTAK Prof. Hasan MANDAL, representatives of the Ministry of National Defense and companies involved in the projects attended the signing ceremony which was held with a limited number of participants at the SSB premises.

Prof. DEMİR: “R&D expenditures reached US$ 1.7 billion dollars in 2019.”

In his speech at the ceremony, SSB President Prof. İsmail DEMİR stated that TRY 3.5 billion has been spent on 104 R&D projects completed and ongoing up to date, and that they are carrying out these projects together with universities, companies, research institutes and institutions. DEMİR: “Defense industry R&D expenditures, which were only US$ 49 million in 2002, increased by 34 times in 2019 to approximately US$ 1.7 billion. This figure corresponds to around 15% of the total industry turnover. Such increase rates achieved and to be achieved are an indication of the contribution of our industry to indigenous product and technology development. “We are aware that the Global Vision of Turkey is anchored in R&D and technology. The key to full independence in the defense industry is to achieve full indigenousness in critical and strategic areas.” 

R&D Projects Initiated in 2020

A total of 6 new R&D projects were initiated in 2020. 

Innovative Software Competition (Y3) and “Veri Kovanı” Data Labeling Platform Project 

Artificial Intelligence Enabled Vulnerability Detection and Prevention in Software Defined Networks (MİLAS) Project 

Global Vulnerability Analysis (KEŞİF) Project

Thin and Lightweight Bullet Resistant Glass System (KEHRİBAR) Project

Aviation Engine Materials Development Program PHASE-1 (CEVHER) Project 

Development of Lightweight and Resistant Armor Materials Reinforced with Graphene (GRAKOR) Project

A total of 10 contractors/subcontractors are involved in such projects, which are developed through models based on the cooperation of companies/institutions/organizations.

• Within the scope of the Aviation Engine Materials Development Program PHASE-1 “CEVHER” Project, the development of aviation gas turbine engine materials currently procured from abroad and the development of an encapsulation system for turbine disc production with powder metallurgy will be made. Turkish Aerospace (TUSAŞ) will be the main contractor and TÜBİTAK-MAM and Meta Nikel Kobalt Madencilik Company will take part as subcontractors in the project.

• With the Thin and Lightweight Bullet Resistant Glass System “KEHRİBAR” Project, the aim is to develop a domestic and national ballistic resistant reinforced thin and lightweight laminated glass system that can be used on air and naval platforms, especially on armored land platforms in the defense industry, which does not endanger the life of the personnel and the safety of defense equipment, does not affect the speed and mobility as well as visual angle of the vehicle. The project will be realized by TUBİTAK-MAM, the main contractor and by ŞİŞECAM, the subcontractor.

• With the GRAKOR Project, graphene-added nanocomposites will be combined with fiber fabrics, and the graphene-reinforced and fiber-reinforced polymer composite armor material for personnel protection will be developed. The project will be carried out by the NANOGRAPHY Company.

• With the Global Vulnerability Analysis “KEŞİF” Project, the aim is to detect cyber vulnerabilities in IT infrastructures in advance with the support of artificial intelligence. Within this framework, a search engine for devices connected to the internet will be developed. Within the scope of the project, the objective is to collect intelligence data that will contribute to the national cyber security of our country and to produce effective outputs for decision makers. The project will be carried out by Intelprobe Information Technologies Company.

• Within the scope of the Artificial Intelligence Enabled Vulnerability Detection and Prevention in Software Defined Networks “MİLAS” Project, the aim is to develop an artificial intelligence enabled vulnerability detection and prevention system in order to ensure end-to-end business continuity and data protection in the entire network by developing an autonomous cyber security layer for critical communication infrastructures. The project will be realized by ULAK A.Ş., the main contractor and by STM, the subcontractor.

• With the Innovative Software Competition (Y3) and the "Veri Kovanı" Data Labeling Platform Project, the competitions conducted under the Y3 competition program aim to transform the "Veri Kovanı" Platform, which was established to label the data needed under the Y3 competition program and in artificial intelligence studies, into a sustainable program management. The project will be carried out by SSTEK Savunma Sanayi Teknolojileri A.Ş.

With the ongoing and new R&D Projects, substantial contributions will be made in meeting the needs of the Turkish Armed Forces and security forces, minimizing foreign dependency, achieving indigenous, domestic and national solutions, and increasing the R&D and technology competence of our country.

With the SSB R&D Panels established by the SSB in order to initiate R&D projects with more rapid and dynamic manner, decisions are made for the launch of projects that are needed by the security forces' systems and platforms or in new technology areas for the future. Furthermore, in the SSB R&D Panels, a decision has been made to call for projects regarding technology demonstration which do not involve final product delivery.

The first meeting of the SSB R&D Panel was held on December 22, 2016. During the last four years, six meetings have been held and decisions were made to initiate 36 projects and to call for projects in 17 fields.