Finmeccanica launches representative office in Ankara
Active in the heavy industry and technology sectors, Finmeccanica as the world’s sixth, Europe’s third and Italy’s largest group in defence, aerospace and security opened its Turkey representaitive office in Ankara.
The two priority objectives behind the launch of Finmeccanica’s new representative office in Ankara are to strengthen the Group’s presence in Turkey and to develop its leadership in defence and security.
Murad Bayar, Turkish Undersecretary of Defence Industries, Guido Crosetto, Italian Undersecretary of State for Defence, Gianpaolo Scarante, Italian Ambassador in Turkey, BiagioAbrate, Italian Secretary General of Defence and National Armaments Director, and Giorgio Zappa, Chief Operating Officer of Finmeccanica and the other executives from Turkish and Italian Defence Industry were participated to the ceremony.
For Finmeccanica, Turkey is first and foremost an industrial partner rather than just a potential market. Over the years, close collaboration between Group companies and their Turkish counterparts has led to a solid industrial partnership that extends today to the defence and security sectors as well as civil programmes.
Finmeccanica is now assessing all opportunities for collaboration with Turkish industry, both in large-scale national programmes - such as the modernisation of Turkey’s Armed Forces, the creation of large infrastructure in the country for homeland security, transport, air traffic control, maritime border surveillance, and the supply of satellite services - and in joint programmes at international level.
After the opening ceremony, Italian officials met with the members of the press and answered their questions.
Italy’s Ambassador to Ankara Mr. Gianpaolo Scarante, indicating that Turkey and Italy can undertake partnerships in global markets drew attention to the Turkish-Italian partnership that won the Warsaw metro tender.
Finmeccanica Chief Operating Officer Mr. Giorgio Zappa, on the other hand, stated that the relations between the two countries must be carried to a strategic level. Mr. Zappa noted that Finmeccanica’s annual sales is 18 billion euros and thatsales in the defence industry is ranked 8th in the world.
Emphasizing that Turkey will become a member of the EU in the end, Mr. Zappa asked that Ankara also join the Eurofighter consortium for Europe’s new generation fighter jet project. Assessing the ATAK project jointly carried out with Turkey and Finmeccanica’s AgustaWestland, Mr. Zappa mentioned that within the framework of the programme started in 2007, the project was designed according to the geographical terrain and weather conditions in Turkey for the Turkish Armed Forces and that they had made knowledge and technology transfer to Turkey. Furthermore, Mr. Zappa mentioned that the helicopters would be delivered on time and that no problems would take place in delivery.
Indicating that they had won tenders amounting to 3 billion euros in the last four years in Turkey, Finmeccanica’s CEO Mr. Giorgio Zappa mentioned that they would also participate in tenders worth 5 billion euros in the period ahead. Mr. Zappa stated that Finmeccanica’s sales last year in Turkey were 200 million euros.
Mr. Guido Crosetto, Italian Undersecretary of State for Defence, stated that Turkey and Italy were two NATO members and said: “Cooperation in the defence industry is important within this framework. It increases the strength of both member nations.”
Mr. Crosetto said that they had undertaken joint helicopter production with Turkey since 2007 and continued by saying: “We are very happy with the point reached in the ATAK helicopter project. Together with this project, a 100 % domestic helicopter production industry was established for Turkey. I am certain that in the future that third countries will show an interest in the project. Turkey and Italy will also produce other helicopters in the future. I shouldn’t say this but in the days ahead this partnership is also aiming to realize a Turkish-made aircraft production.”
