A New Era in the Turkish and Italian Defence Industry
“Turkey-Italy Defence and Aviation Industry Days”, hosted by UDF and SaSaD, organized by ODTU Teknokent TSSK and Ostim Defence and Aviation Cluster (OSSA) cooperation took place on 24-24 March at Ankara Meyra Palace Hotel. Opening speeches and presentations were made by the Italian Defence Ministry Undersecretary Mr. Gioacchino Alfano and Defence Industry Undersecretary Prof. İsmail Demir, Finmeccanica CEO and General Manager Mr. Mauro Moretti, AIAD General Secretary Mr. Carlo Festucci and SaSaD General Secretary Mr. Hüseyin Baysak at the conference. Defence industry relations between the two countries were exemplified with the participation of 120 Turkish and 44 Italian industrialists,
“Prof. Ismail Demir: There are many opportunities in front of us for our mutual cooperation”
Defence Ministry Undersecretary Prof. Ismail Demir, addressing the Italian and Turkish firms operating in the defence industry said, “ We are ready to support you in establishing new cooperations, new projects”. Prof.Demir, in the speech he made at the “Turkey-Italy Industry Day” said that there is a huge cooperation potential between the Italian and Turkish firms. Prof. Demir expressed that they want to develop the Italian and Turkish partnerships, proven by projects like T-129 “Atak” helicopters, much more. Prof. Demir addressing the company authorities having activities in the defence industry stated: “There are many opportunities in Turkey under the scope of the development of mutual cooperation about aviation, space, land systems, cyber security radar and missile systems subjects.” He said, “We are here as the Undersecretariat for Defence Industries to assist. I believe that there are opportunities in here to establish cooperation opportunities, prosperous partnerships and success stories for many big, small and medium sized firms. We are ready to support you in subjects of establishing new cooperations, new projects.” Explaining that they will be assisting firms in these topics, Prof. Demir said, “I am sure that you will also be surprised to the multitude of the opportunities after the exchange of ideas in here. I thank to all the participants, firms and authorities for their contributions. I believe that the ground for new successes will be actualized after the activities to be performed during the coming two days.”
Italian Defence Ministry Undersecretary Mr. Gioacchino Alfano reminded that the history of the relations between the two countries goes back many long years. Mr. Alfano reported that they will be in an effort to develop the cooperation established between the defence industries of Turkey and Italy in the coming periods.
Finmeccanica CEO and General Director Mr. Moretti also saying that there is a cooperation between Italy and Turkey for many years said; “The successful cooperation achieved at the “Atak” programme is very important for both of them. This cooperation is not an end, but it should be a chance for new beginnings.” Mr. Moretti underlined that they must realize mutual steps to create mutual production, mutual cooperation and new mutual markets as well.
SaSaD General Secretary Mr. Hüseyin Baysak also said that Turkey and Italy have many mutual values and that both countries have a mutual cooperation stemming from many years in the field of the defence industry. Mr. Baysak, saying that the trade volume of both countries has reached to the 4-5 billion dollar levels said: “We need to develop the cooperation on the “Atak” and “Göktürk” programme. The groupings of the SMEs and the supply industry having activities at the Defence Industry in Turkey is developing every day. Under this coverage the cooperations that the Italian firms will establish with those firms in this field will create new opportunities with no doubt.”
After the presentations made during the second part of the day and during the second day of the activity, one to one discussions were performed by the Turkish and Italian firms. Nearly 500 interviews were made during the one to one business interviews occurred within the two days.
