31st Annual ATC Conference: “Model Partnership and New Areas of Cooperation”
The 31st annual meeting, jointly organized by the American-Turkish Council (ATC) and the Turkish-American Business Council (TAİK), has convened in Washington in affirmation of the enduring strength and importance of the U.S. - Turkey relationship.
Under the theme "Model Partnership and New Areas of Cooperation", many issues discussed including political and economic relations, as well as opportunities for cooperation in the areas of security, defence, banking, investment, finance, commerce, energy, agriculture, food, education, the European Union and foreign policy by the high-powered and dynamic speakers, stimulating panelists and experts.
The three-day conference brought together senior government officials and business figures from both Turkey and the US. Turkish Defence Minister İsmet Yılmaz, US Secretary of Defence Leon Panetta, US Deputy Secretary of Energy Daniel Poneman, Lt. Gen. M. Emin Alpman of the Turkish General Staff, Undersecretariat for Defence Industries Murad Bayar, TAFF General Manager Hayrettin Uzun, ATC Chairman Amb. Richard Armitage, TAIK Chairman Haluk Dinçer and TOBB & DEIK President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu and other executives and officials from Turkish and American defence indusrty attended the conference.
The conference officially kicked off with welcoming remarks by ATC Chairman Amb. Richard Armitage, TAIK Chairman Haluk Dinçer and TOBB & DEIK President M. Rıfat Hisarcıklıoğlu, followed by the Keynote Speech of William Swanson, CEO of Raytheon.
Making opening remarks of the conference, Armitage said that global developments such as crisis in Syria, Arab Spring and economic problems in Eurozone increased importance of relations and dialogue between Turkey and the United States. He noted that no matter who would win the presidential election in the United States, Turkish-U.S. relations would keep improving.
Haluk Dinçer, chairman of the Turkish-American Business Council, said that Turkish economy showed a great performance in the past decade and Turkish economy continued to grow despite global financial crisis. Dincer said they were working to boost economic relations between Turkey and the United States. William Swanson, CEO of Raytheon spoke of Raytheon’s readiness and its corporate investment in defence cooperation with Turkey’s defence companies. He emphasized the company’s long-standing heritage of building industrial partnerships in the nation. During the event, the company honored two Turkish defence suppliers with awards for superior performance on Raytheon programs. ''We’ve moved into a new era of creating strategic partnerships with Turkish industry." Swanson said. "Partnerships like these promote and support a strong and viable Turkish defence industry and promote jobs in both nations and economies." Raytheon has been a trusted partner with Turkey’s defence forces over several decades, providing command and control systems, battlefield radars and air defence systems, Swanson reminded attendees at the conference held in Washington, DC. Most recently, Raytheon has been building long-term relationships with Turkish suppliers Aselsan, Roketsan, Havelsan, Ayesas and Pagetel, primarily in support of the Patriot Air and Missile Defence System. Swanson said the future promises to increase the defence-industrial partnerships between the two nations and within NATO. "As a result, we’ll both be stronger and the world will be more secure." he concluded.
After the opening session, a "Political Landscape Panel", moderated once again by Dr. Joshua Walker, Senior Transatlantic Fellow at the German Marshall Fund, featured official stock-taking of U.S. - Turkish relations by H.E. Ambassador Yaşar Halit Çevik, Deputy Undersecretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, The Honorable Philip H. Gordon Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs, and the irreverent observations of Andrew Finkel, Journalist with Today’s Zaman. The panel shed light to several important issues shaping the bilateral relationship, such as Syria, Iran, Israel, Afghanistan and the Caucasus.
The Defence and Security Affairs session addressed the foreign policy and national security policy environment of both countries through the presentations by Lt. Gen. M. Emin Alpman, Chief of Plans and Principles, Turkish General Staff and Joseph Mc Millan, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defence for International Security Affairs taken place in the panel which was moderated by Muharrem Dörtkaşlı, TAI General Manager and Jerry Kaffka, Chair, Defence and Security Affairs Committee of ATC.
Monday’s lunch was sponsored by the Turkish Armed Forces Foundation, and its General Manager, Lt.Gen (R) Hayrettin Uzun opened it. Hayrettin Uzun informed the attendees about the capabilities, products, export activities of Turkish Armed Forces Companies and cooperation with US companies. Hüsnü Özyeğin, Founder and Chairman of the FIBA Group, was the Luncheon Keynote Speaker and The Honorable Francis J. Ricciardone, United States Ambassador to Turkey, provided "View from the Trenches" remarks. The Luncheon concluded with the presentation of the Distinguished Career Award to Mr. Ozyegin.
In the Gala dinner, Thomas Kennedy, President of Raytheon’s Integrated Defence Systems introduced two dedicated public servants, H.E. İsmet Yılmaz, the Turkish Minister of Defence and the Honorable Leon Panetta, the U.S. Secretary of Defence. Both speakers reaffirmed the value of the U.S.-Turkey Strategic partnership, the need to confront urgent threats like terrorism from Al Qaeda and the PKK, and the ways by which defence cooperation can be improved in the future.
In his speech, "Turkey and the United States have had long and sound relationships with the mutual objective of achieving freedom and peace in the world." said Minister Yılmaz. He also mentioned about the interconnection of both countries, having mutual values like democracy, freedom, human rights and free market economy, through mutual vision, interest and multilateral relations emerging from mutual history and he illustrated these two countries as "two indispensable allied countries" sharing mutual objectives towards peace and stability.
"The military field is one of the important tie-up of the cooperation of both countries and the alliance between Turkey and the United States has already proven and strengthened itself through close cooperation in international organizations such as NATO and UN." said Yılmaz. Reminding of the 60th anniversary of Turkey’s membership to NATO, he said: "Turkey is one of the major security providers of NATO and will continue its support to the alliance. NATO is not only contributing to military but also to international peace and stability. We fully support the role of NATO within collective defence and security framework."
Minister Yılmaz also reminded of Turkey’s announcement for non-permanent membership in 2015-2016 UN Security Council with its intention to solve problems in its region and wider geography and stated that Turkey’s election to non-permanent membership would correspond to its current foreign policy objectives as well as its geopolitical position.
"Today’s challenges, especially within the region where Turkey locates, necessitate further cooperation between United States and Turkey and the Unites States is the leading ally of Turkey with respect to terrorism. Both countries, which are targeted by terror organizations, have mutual concerns and interests and in order to eradicate terrorism, the cooperation between United States and Turkey is essential. We are pleased with the support of the US on this issue. The continuation of our close cooperation and coordination is vital for fighting against terrorism. We will be happy to see the continuation and increase of both countries’ cooperation on this matter in the future." said Yılmaz.
After noting the progressive development of Turkey’s defence industry, Yılmaz expressed that the level of trade between Turkey and the US on defence field is promising. At his speech, Yılmaz also addressed the collaborations, projects and studies between two countries in the field of defence.
The sessions "New Forms of Defence Cooperation and Partnership", "US-Turkey Defence Industrial Cooperation in the Global Market" and "Space Cooperation" were taken place in the conference included presentations by Murad Bayar, Undersecretary for Defence Industries; Assistant Secretary of Defence for Acquisitions, Katrina Mc Farland; Sedat Güldoğan, Deputy Undersecretary, Beth M. Mc Cormick, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Defence Trade and Regional Security; and Al Volkman, Director of the International Cooperation Office of the Undersecretary of Defence.Murad Bayar, Undersecretary for Defence Industries enlightened about the programs F35, F16, Peace Eagle carried out by US companies. He pointed out that Space could be a new area that should be focused on by Turkish and US parties.
A Supplier Excellence Award to Roketsan and Aselsan From Raytheon
At the conference, Tom Kennedy, president of Raytheon’s Integrated Defence Systems business, presented top supplier awards to both Aselsan and Roketsan. "These two companies have become leaders in the growth of Turkey’s defence industry. And through their partnership and performance, they have become instrumental to Raytheon’s global business success," Kennedy said.
Eyüp Kaptan, Roketsan Chairman of Boards and Fuat Akçayöz Head of Defence System Technologies Group of Aselsan received the awards. Roketsan is producing Patriot GEM-T missile control-section assemblies -- critical flight-control elements that guide the missile to its target. Also Aselsan is producing the newly designed Mobile Antenna Mast Group -- an integral element of Patriot’s communications, command and control system.
HAVELSAN Partners with Lockheed Martin for Global Training Opportunities
HAVELSAN signed agreement with Lockheed Martin to collaborate on global and local opportunities. The partnerships were confirmed at the Annual Conference on U.S.-Turkish Relations.
HAVELSAN expands its collaboration with Lockheed Martin, Inc. to identify and pursue opportunities to provide training solutions throughout the world. The agreement includes investigating opportunities for F-16 full mission simulators in third countries, land vehicle simulators in Turkey and third countries, electronic warfare extensions, artillery forward observer and wild land fire suppression training technologies and other flight training capabilities in USA.
"HAVELSAN sees tremendous potential to provide technologies developed by Turkish industry to customers all over the world in collaboration with Lockheed Martin. The ingenuity of Turkey’s technologists and Lockheed Martin’s experience developing training systems make an attractive combination" said Sadık YAMAÇ, General Manager for HAVELSAN.
"HAVELSAN has developed a number of cost-effective technologies that complement Lockheed Martin’s student-centric training methodologies" said Jim WEITZEL, Vice President of training solutions for Lockheed Martin’s Global Training and Logistics business. "The collaboration will offer customers more value for preparing military personnel under the most realistic conditions."
HAVELSAN and Lockheed Martin are currently working together to provide the Turkish Air Force with high-fidelity F-16 full mission simulators and weapons and tactics trainers.
Roketsan and Lockheed Martin Cooperation on PAC3 Missile
Lockheed Martin signed agreement with Roketsan to collaborate on the production of PAC-3 Missile single canisters.
Roketsan will enable the company to become a supplier of PAC-3 Missile single canisters. With technical assistance from Lockheed Martin, Roketsan will provide production line development, special tooling design and fabrication, production planning, first article inspection, qualification hardware and delivery of new one-pack missile canisters.
The United States and other international PAC-3 system customers have expressed interest in the new single canister launch system, to replace existing four-pack canisters, enabling more flexibility of the PAC-3 system in the field.
"Roketsan will provide a proven legacy of air and missile defence solutions to the PAC-3 system," said Orville Prins, Vice President of International Air and Missile Defence Business Development for Lockheed Martin’s Missiles and Fire Control business. "This agreement will provide long-term capacity and growth for Turkish industry and will make Roketsan a Lockheed Martin certified supplier of single canisters."
"Being a system house for missile and rocket systems design and manufacture for more than 20 years, Roketsan has evolved from a national supplier to an international market player," said Selçuk Yaşar, president of Roketsan. "By using its expertise and knowledge gained from many national and international programs in designing and producing high technology rocket and missile systems, Roketsan will be a strong supplier to Lockheed Martin. With this strategic partnership Roketsan will also help Lockheed Martin to maximize the logistic advantage of being close to the area where there is potential increase in the demand for air defence systems."
HAVELSAN to Make Collaboration with Rockwell Collins for Global Opportunities
HAVELSAN and Rockwell Collins have signed MoU at the 31st annual meeting of ATC in order to collaborate for global and local opportunities.
Through the signed MoU, HAVELSAN and Rockwell Collins will make a long-term collaboration in simulation and training systems. Within this context, new collaboration models primarily for the provision of flight simulations and technologies to Royal Saudi Armed Forces and Egypt Air Forces and for Artillery Forward Observer Simulator to specific fields will be examined. Besides, mutual studies will be performed for producing solutions in the field of Basic Simulator Unit (BSU) and Flight and Maintenance Simulator in order to support various simulator opportunities for the Turkish Armed Forces.
"HAVELSAN and Rockwell Collins have been carrying out long-term cooperation for several crucial projects and a convincing synergy and reliability between both parties have been achieved during this time." said Sadık YAMAÇ, General Manager of HAVELSAN and emphasized that the synergy to be achieved by the expertise and know-how of these two companies will create remarkable opportunities for global markets.
Rockwell Collins, as a subcontractor, has been performing joint studies with HAVELSAN in critical projects for nearly 10 years. Rockwell Collins is currently the solution partner of HAVELSAN in KT-1, T-38 Operational Flight Trainer and F-16 Full Task Simulator projects of Turkish Air Forces. Through this MoU, both parties have strengthened their current collaborations.
