KAREL- Empowering the Future of Defence Communication

Defence Turkey: Since 1986, how has KAREL contributed to the transformation in Türkiye's telecommunications sector?

BAYIZ: Karel has been behind the communication infrastructures trusted by the business world in Türkiye since 1986. Starting out with indigenous designs and domestic engineering capabilities at that time, Karel established the Private Branch Exchange (PBX) market in Türkiye. It played a pioneering role in the country's transition from electromechanical systems to electronic communications. Karel's efforts paved the way for the widespread adoption of digitalizing communication infrastructures in both the public and private sectors.

Over time, we added software and service competencies alongside hardware. Today, with an end-to-end portfolio extending from IP exchanges to cloud-based communications, call centers and multi-channel integrations, to CRM connections, we can meet all communication needs of businesses 360 degrees. With solutions like the cloud-based Karel Connect and Karel IPX exchange, we offer remotely manageable, secure, and scalable structures.

The reflection of this transformation in numbers is clear: We have been the market leader in the PBX segment for many years; more than 700,000 businesses in Türkiye use our exchanges. Our solutions handle more than 50% of corporate workplace communication traffic. We are one of the four most valuable telecom brands in Türkiye.

In addition, through our Field Operations Technologies business unit, we provide Regional Solution Partnership (RSP) services for telecom operators such as Turkcell, Vodafone, and Türk Telekom, managing one of Türkiye's largest field operations.

Karel is not just a product brand, but a technology brand that offers end-to-end solutions. We make a difference in maintenance, repair, and infrastructure management by working alongside telecom operators in the field. Thanks to both our technical expertise and operational agility, we create an uninterrupted communication experience for our customers.

Defence Turkey: What testing and verification capabilities do you aim to develop as a result of the investments you have made in your R&D infrastructure in defence?

BAYIZ: In recent years, strategic-level investments have been made in our R&D infrastructure to strengthen domestic and national production capabilities in the defence industry, to verify product reliability according to international standards, and to eliminate dependency on external parties in certification processes. Thanks to these investments, our EMC/EMI, Power, and Environmental Conditions Test Laboratories have been transformed into fully equipped test centers compliant with international accreditation criteria.

All our laboratories are established in accordance with the "EN/ISO 17025 General Requirements for the Competence of Testing and Calibration Laboratories" standard. This ensures that principles of accuracy, traceability, impartiality, and data security are guaranteed throughout the processes from product development to serial production phases.

This integrated test infrastructure enables the environmental, electrical, and electromagnetic endurance tests of defence systems for land, naval, and air platforms to be conducted under one roof using in-house resources. 

Defence Turkey: KAREL introduced a new 5G-based communication system at IDEF 2025. Can you explain what advantages the software-based nature of 5G technology provides to KAREL in terms of product development and system integration?

BAYIZ: 5G technology has enabled innovations from smartphones to Industry 4.0 with its high speed, low latency, and multi-connectivity. The real breakthrough came with the evolution of the network to a software-based architecture; this made security policies, updates, and isolation (slicing, micro-segmentation) manageable through software. These capabilities also create value for 5G in defence applications. As Karel, with a "dual-use" approach, we adapt the 5G infrastructure matured in civilian use to defence requirements by making it user-friendly with closed-loop operations and rich applications and adding extra security layers; we are working to take a pioneering role in this field.

The software-based structure of 5G provides us with significant strategic gains in both product innovation and integrated system design. On the other hand, it enables us to develop more flexible, faster, cost-effective, and secure communication solutions.

With our 5G competency, we have strategic advantages such as hardware-independent, fast, and flexible product development; cloud-based management and automation capabilities; lower development costs and shorter time-to-market; compatible integration with systems from different manufacturers using open standards; and competitive edge with domestic software and security modules.

One of our concrete solutions in this area is the 5G Private Mobile Network, which establishes a secure, fast, and flexible communication infrastructure among all unit levels in the military domain. Thanks to its portable and vehicle-mountable reinforced mobile structure, it can be easily deployed in different mission areas. It offers high data transfer, instant communication, and effective coordination in operations. Through network gateways and field exchanges, it can integrate with various communication infrastructures, including existing old or new radio systems. Additionally, it provides flexibility, ease, and functionality in use with various 5G-compatible end units such as cameras, drones, smartwatches, IoT devices, and VR headsets. It also creates opportunities for low-cost strategic pricing.

Defence Turkey: In what ways do the in-vehicle integrated communication systems you introduced at the fair differ from classical intercom solutions?

BAYIZ: Current intercom solutions are limited to in-vehicle voice communication; due to their closed architecture, they do not allow much interaction with other systems. We, on the other hand, bring together different communication protocols in a single and secure infrastructure. In this way, we provide simultaneous and uninterrupted data-voice flow with intercoms, radios, cameras/sensors, and mission computers, making the entire mission work "like a single system." These solutions, which bring together Karel's expertise in different communication technologies, create an integrated communication infrastructure that will support next-generation communication needs. In this way, it supports both in-vehicle and inter-vehicle communication, enabling fast and effective information flow between units in the field and strengthening operational coordination.

Defence Turkey: Can you provide information about the MOBAT product? What is KAREL's role in its production in Türkiye?

BAYIZ: Designed for high performance and comfort in harsh field conditions, MOBAT is an operational headset system that stands out among land communication solutions. MOBAT enhances situational awareness in the tactical field with noise cancellation that reduces ambient noise, a situational awareness mode that ensures clear detection of critical and low-level sounds, and 3D audio technology that allows users to perceive the direction of incoming sounds.

MOBAT is a completely domestically developed solution by Karel. We manage the entire processes from design, R&D, software/acoustic and ergonomics engineering, testing-certification, to serial production and quality assurance under one roof. With quick integration to existing radio and in-vehicle communication infrastructures, mission-based easy configuration, and our widespread field support network, we own the entire life cycle of the product; thus, users achieve short supply times, high operational reliability, and lower total cost of ownership.

Defence Turkey: What can you say about the usage areas and targeted platforms of the Backup Flight Instrument you have developed?

BAYIZ: The BFI (Back-up Flight Instrument) calculates and presents flight-critical data (e.g., position, speed, altitude, climb rate, etc.) needed by the pilot independently of its own sensors when the primary indicator set fails. Thus, it helps safely fly the aircraft in emergencies and unexpected failure scenarios during training, testing, or operational sorties.

We offer the BFI for a wide range of fixed-wing and rotary-wing platforms. Specifically for our product, we are conducting integration and testing activities for platforms such as HÜRKUŞ-II, ATAK-2, KAAN, and SU-25. In addition, we are a solution partner for the National Combat Aircraft.

Defence Turkey: In which critical defence industry projects have your product-based solutions been used to date?

BAYIZ: The communication and avionics products we developed on a product basis as part of the system have actively participated in naval, air, and land projects. For naval applications, our ship telephone exchange and alarm/announcement solutions have been used in military ships starting from the first MİLGEM; similar internal communication systems adapted to platforms of different sizes are still in service in the inventory today.

In air platforms, we developed the BFI (Back-up Flight Instrument)to independently calculate critical data in case of primary indicator failures; the product is positioned in programs such as HÜRKUŞ-II, ATAK-2, and KAAN.

For ground vehicles, our vehicle intercom and radio interface solutions for armored vehicles have been used on numerous domestically manufactured platforms for a long time; the IKT series systems offered today in different configurations are part of this.

Defence Turkey: What functions do the gateway products you have developed perform for military land vehicles and ships?

BAYIZ: We developed our In-Vehicle Communication Gateway system for military land vehicles. This solution brings together hardware and software components to provide secure and uninterrupted image, voice, and data communication between multiple communication protocols and electronic systems. In addition to the hardware, we added user interface, mission-specific adaptability, and integration capabilities to the system with the software and applications we developed. In this way, it can provide effective communication in the dynamic environment of the tactical field; it contributes to the rapid and accurate progression of command-and-control processes.

The system's user terminals offer operational ease in the field and provide high compatibility with various equipment. For example, it can work integrated with our MOBAT Operational Headset. This solution, which brings together Karel's expertise in different communication technologies, establishes an integrated communication infrastructure that meets next-generation communication demands. At the same time, it facilitates fast and effective information flow both within the vehicle and between vehicles, increasing operational coordination between units in the field.

Defence Turkey: What are KAREL's long-term defence industry goals? Which regions do you plan to export to?

BAYIZ: We started our activities in the defence industry with the production of military communication solutions in 2004. Today, we have redefined our deep expertise in defence communication technologies with a new vision in recent periods. As Karel Defence Technologies, we position ourselves today not only as a product developer but also as a system provider offering end-to-end integrated solutions. Our long-term goal is to realize the sales of both the products developed for land, naval, and air platforms and our integrated systems with all their components.

We can offer our customers turnkey solutions at every stage from design to production, from testing processes to system integration. Thus, we can create interoperable, modular, and sustainable system architectures specific to different mission scenarios. Our strength comes from our agile and domestic engineers and R&D capabilities.

Today, we are an important part of the domestic technology ecosystem in the defence field. In this area, we work together with Türkiye's leading defence industry companies. We support them not just as a subcontractor, but as a strategic solution partner. At the same time, we do not limit this vision to Türkiye only. As a brand born and grown on these lands, we are advancing toward becoming a strategic technology partner for friendly countries in global markets today. Our target markets include countries such as Bangladesh, Saudi Arabia, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Czechia, and Romania.

As Karel, we will continue our efforts more strongly to transcend boundaries in defence technologies, establish strong collaborations, and shape the future together; we will continue to offer turnkey solutions covering all stages from design to production, from testing processes to system integration