Defence: Bilateral Franco-Turkish Relationship
France And Turkey Resume Their Industrial Relations In The Defence Sector
For over 5 centuries, France and the Ottoman Empire - now Turkey - have maintained close diplomatic relations, with the exception of some difficult spells. In 2014, a rapprochement is evidenced by the official visit to Turkey of the French President on January 27 and 28. The time is right to resume political discussions and strengthen economic relations between the two countries, particularly in the fields of armaments, energy and aeronautics. In 2013 the French Government owned Areva Company and its Japanese partner MHI, won a € 17 billion contract to supply four Atmea nuclear power plants. The same year, Airbus received an order for 117 planes (A320) from Turkish Airlines. Still in 2013, on the defence side, the Franco-Italian consortium Eurosam (67% MBDA, Thales 33%) came second in a call for tenders from the Ministry of Defence for an air defence system.
In the wake of the visit of the French President in Turkey, the SSM* * and the SaSaD** invited a large delegation of French companies from the defence sector (naval, land and air defence) to initiate industrial and technological cooperation projects with the Turkish Government and Turkish companies at the end of February 2014.
* Same as French DGA (General Directorate for Armament)
** Same as French CIDEF which groups the three industrial French Defence sectors, GICAN (Naval), GICAT (Land) and GIFAS (Air).
In organizing this industry seminar in a strategic sector for both countries, Ankara expressed its interest in the French naval know-how and its ambition to promote the export strategy of its own highly developed shipyards. Acquisitions and technology transfers for highly specialized equipment such as electronic systems, radars or inertial navigation systems that may follow the seminar, will enable France and Turkey to prospect together international naval defence markets and maximize the returns from their cooperation.
At the same time, GICAN will welcome all the Turkish stakeholders in the naval industrial sector at the Euronaval, next October. For the first time the Euronaval Show and its some 15,000 m2 of exhibition space, will welcome Turkey as an exhibitor.
As it intends to promote internationally its own shipbuilding industry, Turkey with its Navy ranking as the 9th in the World for tonnage, must be an exhibitor in the largest world export showcase of the naval industry. Its presence - expected to be significant - will be one of the great novelties of the 24th Euronaval Exhibition. For the first time this great maritime nation will be able to showcase its own product range and play in the same court as the industry leaders like Italy, the U.S.A., Germany, Russia, UK, Holland, Brazil, Norway and France that is hosting the event since its inception
EURONAVAL
The Exhibition’s DNA
Sponsored by the French Government, and organized by GICAN, Euronaval is the largest international trade show dedicated to naval defence as well as surface, undersea and air-sea security / safety.
Euronaval is a unique trade show created in 1968 that takes place every second year in the French capital. During 5 days it becomes the favored meeting place of the decision makers from the world over for defence and naval security.
It is a major event in the international that covers all the solutions for military naval missions. It covers also all the government actions at sea linked to safety and maritime security (protection of naval sovereignty, peace keeping at sea, protection of resources, and control of migration flows ....)
Euronaval is also a unique platform for activities related to surface, submarine and air drones, as well as for satellite applications in the fields of communication, navigation, weather forecast, defence and safety.
Tuned in to the latest global geo-strategic and economic developments, Euronaval is always on the lookout for innovations. Each show stages innovative technological products. Thanks to its reactivity, this benchmark biennial event can present international buyers with responses to the major naval challenges of the 21st Century.
A “high level” global audience
Euronaval’s worldwide fame attracts an increasing number of decision makers. In 2012, 96 international delegations from 67 countries invited by the French government and the organizer, attended the show. Among them, 24 European delegations, 22 African, 19 from Central and Eastern Asia, 11 from the Near East and Middle East and 12 from the American Continent. Government buyers were represented by 22 senior chiefs of staff of foreign navies , especially from Brazil, Russia, Malaysia, Algeria , the United Arab Emirates, Qatar , Kuwait , Belgium , to Italy , Libya , the Philippines , Romania , Bulgaria, Gabon , Cameroon, Ghana, Sweden and Albania. So far, each biennial Euronaval Exhibition has recorded a high satisfaction rate among exhibitors, trade visitors and delegations.
A unique trading platform
Euronaval is a must for manufacturers who want to present their products and services to naval contractors, experts and key decision-makers worldwide. “In times of budget optimization for program acquisitions, the clustering of naval expertise under one roof and under one theme, offers a very effective overview of the latest technologies available on the international market. The event provides also an opportunity to discuss collaborative projects between nations, between large groups and small businesses. The presence of Turkey at Euronaval for the first time will be the opportunity for French companies to rekindle their relations with their Turkish counterparts” says Jean -Marie Carnet, Managing Director Euronaval.
Global communication
The best known media in the industry insure a full coverage of the exhibition. The largest international specialist and general media are present at Euronaval. In 2012, 56 major media signed a partnership agreement for a promotional campaign over the 5 continents and 421 journalists from newspapers, radio, TV and Web were accredited; as a consequence the show enjoyed a broad international exposure. In 2014, Euronaval will launch for the first time, an English Web TV in partnership with “Navy Recognition” with an estimated number of viewers of 30 000/day and over 350.0000 pages seen. With this promotion and communication tool, the naval industry stakeholders will be able present their strategic visions or solutions to an international audience.
Doing business
A business lounge is reserved for professional visitors.
A number of business meeting opportunities between exhibitors and buyers are available during :
“Technology workshops” organized by companies to present the results of their most recent research or achievements,
“B to B meetings” set up to develop technical and commercial partnerships.
“Innovation tours” organized by theme to optimize visitors’ walk around the show. They can quickly access the products and services they are interested in for future collaboration projects.
Maritime Security and Safety : at the crossroads between the civil and military sectors
Historically Euronaval is a naval defence show. Now, it covers also maritime safety and security for the civil activities of national navies such as counter piracy operations, fisheries monitoring and policing, sea rescue
A space dedicated to maritime security / safety is located at the heart of the show and showcases an international range of technical products for navies, coast guard, police, customs and port authorities: safety and survival equipment, enforcement of public order at sea, coastal surveillance and related services, especially training and maintenance.
This cluster offers companies an opportunity to enhance their expertise in complex maritime security systems for international clients.
Be it in terms of defence missions or economic development, the sea is perceived by all the stakeholders - clients and suppliers - as an area of increasing strategic importance. Rest assured that Euronaval 2014 will be an outright success.
GICAN
Created to organize the Euronaval trade show, GICAN is the grouping of industries construction and French naval activities. It covers the industrial military and civil maritime naval sectors. GICAN is part of CIDEF, the equivalent of the Turkish SaSaD. It brings together 172 companies, ranging from the large prime contractors, system integrators and OEMs, to SMEs involved in the production and repairs of military ships, medium and large tonnage merchant ships and specialized ships. It also groups industrial players in security, safety and maritime environment.
With the current market globalization and the growing opportunities for international cooperation, the key role played by GICAN in the sector has been highlighted. As an example, it recently sponsored the business tour of the naval sector companies in Turkey in February 2014.
GICAN promotes the industry nationally and internationally in participating in foreign events and trade shows. Every second year it organizes the Euronaval Exhibition in Paris -Le Bourget.
