Dearsan Hits the Global Markets with its Expertise in Shipbuilding
Defence Turkey: Mr. Akkaya, first of all we want to thank you for giving us your time for this interview. Dearsan is one of the key players in the Turkish shipbuilding industry. Would you please provide us with information on the structure and area of activities of your shipyard?
Having been active for more than 30 years in Tuzla, Istanbul our shipyard has specialised in the building of sophisticated commercial ships and by succeeding in exporting these ships to European Union members such as Norway, Holland, Belgium and France it has proven its experience. In 2007, in order to assess this know-how in our country’s defence industry projects, a strategic decision was adopted and all investments in infrastructure and human resources were directed towards the building of military ships. Our shipyard’s modernised facilities have merged in a dynamic manner the experience and institutional know-how of retired naval forces personnel with the flexibility of civilian staff. Due to this harmony, the first military warship project built in a private shipyard in our country, the Tuzla Class Patrol Boats were delivered on time and with high user satisfaction. This experience gained and its successful conclusion was met with close attention globally, in particular with the naval forces and coast guard commands of friendly nations. With the attention we have received we have concentrated on our export targets and our work on the type of ships we can present and diversifying the solutions we can provide has accelerated our activities. During the same time we realised the delivery of the first vessels in the Tuzla Class Patrol Boats series, the signing of the first military ship export contract has rightly made us proud but has also increased our responsibilities. In addition to the 16 Tuzla Class Patrol Boats, we have signed contracts for an additional 39 different class boats and ships and the total orders during the last 7 years have reached 55. During a very short time a total of 45 boats and ships were delivered. In particular, our activities toward the export of existing platforms and those we are developing are continuing in an intense manner and our activities involving the planned sea group tenders of our Undersecretariat for Defence Industries are on-going.
Defence Turkey: Mr. Akkaya, as Dearsan what were you involved with during the previous year that is 2013?
In addition to the delivery programme of on-going projects, with the increase in the number of countries where we undertake publicity and marketing activities, we left behind a very busy year. Additionally, it was a year where important strides were made in our 2013 R&D activities and corporatisation of our company. Despite the fact that we encountered a number of challenges in executing a combination of different processes at the same time, thanks to the tremendous efforts shown by our valuable staff, I can say that compared to previous years we can see our future more clearly.
Defence Turkey: As Dearsan you have an important duty in the Tuzla Class Patrol Boat tender within the framework of the needs of the Turkish Naval Forces. Mr. Akkaya, in creating the concept of the Tuzla Class Patrol Boats in which you have done the design and building, which needs did you put at the forefront, what would you like to say on the indigenous model and process involved?
In the process of realising the Tuzla Class Patrol Boat project, our Naval Forces, the Undersecretariat for Defence Industries, our universities, Türk Lloyd, our local engineering firms, our suppliers and the shipbuilding supply industry made an extraordinary effort and contribution as a whole. I think that our biggest contribution in the success of the project was in being able to provide a unity of different cultures, disciplines and understandings. From the beginning of the project to its delivery, the most important requirement was to obtain this harmony and in this sense I can state that the Tuzla Class Patrol Boat project was a benchmark.
Defence Turkey: What would you like to say on the use of these platforms by the armies of the world in their present day use? Do you think that these platforms will take place more in the inventories of the naval forces around the globe?
The trend that is rapidly expanding during the last few years, in particular in naval forces, is towards increasing the inventory number of platforms that cost less, that is built in a short period and where maintenance is more economical and that will undertake duties in the control of seas during peace time. We can observe that this trend is being followed even by industrialised countries and their preference is for more compact platforms rather than high tonnage and expensive ships. At present when we combine the seas that are not under the control of less developed or developing countries with the renewal of their existing ships, the demand for our platforms in the world in general is far above the supply to the world as a whole. For this reason, we have assessed that the interest in our platforms in the near future will increase even further.
Defence Turkey: In terms of the cost factor, mission capabilities and mission costs of the Tuzla Class Patrol Boats, what, in your view, are their advantages compared to the use of corvettes and frigates?
Since the task areas and capabilities are different from each other, I don’t think that’s a very accurate comparison. Just as it’s wrong to expect the tasks of a frigate from a patrol boat, expecting a frigate to execute the tasks of a patrol boat is like expecting a Ferrari to transport sand. The important thing is to identify the need correctly and to evaluate solutions to this need not only in terms of first purchase but also in terms of mission costs. Today, human trafficking, narcotics trafficking and piracy has become the main issue and the task of the naval forces around the globe. In the execution of these tasks during peace times, the use of more economical patrol boats will not only give more time for naval vessels for their main tasks but will also enable a wider coverage of patrol areas and provide a longer period of deterrence since with a specific budget more patrol boats will enter the inventory.
Defence Turkey: In the tender opened within the framework of the needs of the Turkish Naval Forces Command, you are undertaking the design, development and building of 16 patrol boats. What would you like to say about the latest situation regarding the delivery calendar and programme?
Twelve patrol boats have started their mission. The remaining 4 boats will be delivered this year in three-month intervals. We hope to realise the delivery of all boats before the commitment date.
Defence Turkey: As Dearsan, by realising the first export of a warship from Turkey, you have scored a great success in terms of the Turkish shipbuilding industry. Can we hear this success story from your side as well?
We received a great honour and were proud, of course. The biggest share in this success belongs to our valued staff, our sub-contractors that undertook a large step in a short time, our Naval Forces and the Undersecretariat for Defence Industries who never withheld their confidence in us because you do not have the chance to export a ship that even your navy doesn’t use. The satisfaction shown towards the Tuzla class patrol boats has been the biggest opportunity in realising this export.
Another important matter is the ability to provide individual, team and ship training to ship personnel with the experience our company has gained. When selling our products we provide the best training to the buyer and thereby present a combat ready ship in the shortest possible time.
Our organisational structure and rapid mobilisation ability that enables us to build our ships in almost any country can be considered as a plus.
At the present time, with the patrol boats and related products that are our design, we provide a tried and proven product range with rapid reaction boats in various sizes and speeds, catamaran hydrofoils, fire fighting vessels, and offshore support and logistics vessels as well as training simulators. Since the design is ours we can redesign our vessels during the negotiations stage. The user in general prefers a redesigned, reliable and tested product according to their needs instead of a ready-made product.
Another important aspect is the shortness of the delivery time. With the foresight and guidance of our Undersecretariat for Defence Industries, the partnership agreements that we have entered into with large arms, electronics and machinery manufacturers three years ago has provided us with significant flexibility in price setting and in the presentation of short-term delivery plans.
Defence Turkey: Mr. Akkaya, how do you see the export potential of your Tuzla Class Patrol Boats in particular to the Gulf Region and South Asia?
Both regions are the focal point and under the close marking of our well-established competitors. Potential projects where we can compete are being closely followed. As a relatively young and new market player we are eager as well as cautious. I can say that during the last few years we have shifted our priority targets to more challenging regions that not everyone goes into. In such regions we can take place in a more assertive manner. Our ultimate goal is one day to build the ships of countries that today are our rivals.
Defence Turkey: Can we learn your approach to the different project models suggested by customers in the international market?
The biggest advantage we have that is prominent in international markets is the opportunity and capability we have in showing all forms of flexibility. In particular, beyond a platform provider, we are highly ambitious on such subjects as extremely important training, logistics, and after sale support. However, we think that the issue that is important and which remains incomplete is the obligation we have in developing joint models with our state relating to project financing.
Defence Turkey: Mr. Akkaya, we thank you for this interview. Lastly do you have a message that you would like to give to our Defence Turkey readers?
Defence Turkey is a magazine that fills an important gap in its own area. Its readership is made up of expert individuals with a very high know-how. It is a demanding job to prepare a magazine that will address this valuable readership. We are happy with your success. Just as your readership, our target group is also very distinguished. They are the best trained military purchasing agencies and naval personnel in the world with a large accumulation of knowledge. In this situation you and we must love the work we do and it’s necessary to channel this know-how that will make a difference from those that do the same job.
