An Assessment on Turkey-France Defence Industry Cooperation

This year has particular importance in terms of our relations with France.

President Hollande’s visit in January is the first presidential visit from France to Turkey in 22 years. He was accompanied by a number of key ministers and business representatives on this State visit.

This gives a significant opportunity to enhance both political and economic relations, not only between Turkey and France, but for Turkey and the European Union as well.

Both Presidents expressed their wish to achieve a target for a volume of trade which is worth 20 billion Euros between two countries.

Regarding our sector, Deputy Minister of Defence, Mr. Yardımcı participated to the Paris Air Show last year accompanied with a large Delegation from SSM.  Turkish Aeronautics Industry has also been represented at the Show.

With the participation of DGA and SSM Delegation, GIFAS and SaSaD organized a lunch seminar during Paris Air Show attended by Turkish and French Industry where it has been initially announced to both industries that a large Industry Event in Turkey will be organized in 2014.

Right after the visit of French President, in line with the good relationship between the French and Turkish government DGA and SSM are organizing the first Turkish-French Industry Day in Ankara on February 27th. GIFAS and SaSaD support the initiative of the two governments. GIFAS and SaSaD have decided to reinforce their relationship considering the potential of cooperation for their respective members. For this reason, SaSaD and GIFAS will sign a MoU to develop further their cooperation. The presence of a large delegation of French industrialists is a good demonstration of this willingness to cooperate between the two industries, among these guests 60 French organizations are represented covering aerospace, land and naval sectors: 55 companies, 3 trade associations - GIFAS, GICAT – land, and GICAN - Naval, 1 research center – ONERA, the national aerospace research center, 1 cluster -  Aerospace Valley and in total 90 participants. Participating companies represent the whole spectrum of the industry in France: from large groups such as Airbus Group, Safran and Thales, going through equipment manufacturers down to very specialized SMEs.

From our side, the stakeholders of this particular event will also include such a large spectrum of the industry from large companies such as Aselsan, Roketsan, TAI, TEI to the very specialized SMEs from the clusters. French companies will be staying 4 days and will be received by their Turkish counterparts in Ankara, Istanbul, Izmir and Eskisehir. In addition to SaSaD, SSI, Defence and Aerospace Industry Exporters’ Association and ODTU Teknokent involved in the organization of this large scale event. TÜBİTAK, Istanbul Teknopark, THY Technic, Kale Havacılık, Alp Havacılık and Clusters in different cities of Turkey have been also involved in this event.

We hope that this event will pay the way for French companies to further invest in Turkey, create new opportunities, partnerships and contribute to achieve the trade volume target defined by our Presidents early this year.

Turkey and France are two countries which has very close historical relations. We are cooperating in many international platforms including NATO.

Turkish and French defence and aerospace industry both are represented at the ASD, Aerospace and Defence Industries Association of Europe as SaSaD and GIFAS both being the members of this organization which we consider a significant platform to share ideas and to establish mutual understanding to promote industry interests.  

Significant potential for cooperation in the field of aeronautics and defence not only exists as a trade potential between France and Turkey but also contains joint export potentials to the third countries. French Defence and Aeronautics industry has a growing share in export markets in the world and we believe this would be a good opportunity for Turkish companies to work with French companies to share the experience. Having cultural and historical ties with countries in the region, our companies established business ties in the potential export markets like also their French counterparts. This competition can also create business potentials by urging to work together.

There are areas mutually promising for cooperation. We believe that Turkish and French industries can complement one another.

French industry has a leading role in aeronautics sector in the world. 

We believe that there are also potentials of cooperation in the civil aeronautics R&D programs and joint technology initiatives such as Cleansky where French industry has leading roles.

When we look at new prospects in defence industry, we believe that there are potentials of cooperation.

While budgetary concerns still exist in Europe, at the December Summit, the European Council recognized the significance of delivering key capabilities and addressing critical shortfalls through concrete projects. This includes the development of Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) in the 2020-2025 timeframe: preparations for a programme of a next-generation European Medium Altitude Long Endurance RPAS; which is an area that Turkey has acquired significance expertise by indigenously developing ANKA UAVs. 

We know that France is supporting to address the critical shortfalls of European defence Industry and EDTIB (European Defence Technological and Industry Base).

We are ready to contribute to multinational capability development efforts in key capability areas in Europe. Non-EU NATO Allies should be encouraged to do so. We have a good example of joint investment and cooperation in A400M project.

We hope that these industry missions supported by our Industry Associations could help to create further new long term bilateral relationships. 

We hope that the economic cooperation would be working in close association with diplomatic progress on the issues which created obstacles on defence industry cooperation in the past.