NOVA Power Solutions Expands Operations in Türkiye by Introducing Local Content with Maintenance and Core Production Capabilities
Defence Turkey: To commence, we would like to inquire about NOVA’s participation at SAHA EXPO 2024. How did you assess the event in terms of the number of delegations, interactions with your partners, and the exploration of potential opportunities in the region?
Kurt WORDEN: I will defer this question to Süleyman, as he oversees our business operations in Türkiye, Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. The decision to exhibit at SAHA EXPO was primarily his, based on the strategic value he identified for our operations.
Süleyman BAYRAMOĞLU: Indeed, NOVA Power Solutions has been active in Türkiye for twelve years, but this year marks our inaugural participation in SAHA EXPO. When evaluating our involvement, we considered the profile of exhibitors, delegations, and potential partners, particularly those we had not collaborated with but identified as having substantial potential for collaboration.
Our decision proved to be mutually beneficial. Over the first three days, we engaged in productive meetings, not only generating traffic but also exploring opportunities with potential partners—both as customers and suppliers. We had substantive discussions with prospective customers and suppliers seeking parts, services, and components that we intend to source locally in Türkiye.
We also had interactions with delegations, including several international ones. While senior officials were not our primary audience, we focused on technical professionals and decision-makers from organizations we aspire to collaborate with, either as customers or suppliers.
Kurt WORDEN: To clarify, while technical engagement is a priority, we greatly value interactions with senior officials as well, when opportunities present themselves.
Süleyman BAYRAMOĞLU: Exactly. The event also provided us with an opportunity to reconnect with existing customers, offering a platform to refresh our relationships, exchange insights, and align on future opportunities.
Overall, SAHA EXPO is a relatively young event that has demonstrated substantial growth and influence within the regional defense industry. It holds significance not only for Türkiye but also for the broader defense ecosystem in the region. That said, we anticipate an even greater level of international participation in future editions to further enhance its global impact.
Defence Turkey: SAHA EXPO has been particularly successful in attracting participants and visitors from Middle East and African countries. These regions are also important markets for the Turkish Defense Industry, making it beneficial for Turkish companies and potentially for you as well. How do these regions align with NOVA Power’s business strategy?
Süleyman BAYRAMOĞLU: While we have engaged in the MENA (Middle East and North Africa) market, we prefer to reach potential customers indirectly through our partnerships with the Turkish Defense Industry. When Turkish defense companies export indigenously developed systems and equipment to allied nations or regions with historical ties to Türkiye, we also benefit as part of the supply chain supporting those export efforts.
Kurt WORDEN: I would like to add that, particularly in African markets, there are financial risks that are not applicable to Türkiye. By collaborating with Turkish defense integrators, we can indirectly access these markets while mitigating those risks. This model allows us to benefit from Türkiye’s established presence and relationships in these regions.
Defence Turkey: In past interviews, you mentioned your plans for a local manufacturing capability or maintenance facility in Türkiye. Could you provide an update? Have you completed the investment? Is it operational now or do you have plans to expand it?
Kurt WORDEN: The investment is ongoing and far from complete. It was always intended as a phased business investment that would evolve based on operational needs and customer demand. While we have made progress and the facility is operational with the capabilities we initially envisioned, there is still room for growth.
Süleyman is actively working to expand the service component of the facility. As our business opportunities expand, so will the facility’s capacity. We are pleased with the current progress but view this as a continuous development process.
Süleyman BAYRAMOĞLU: In addition to the current operations, we are in the early stages of establishing a collaboration with a Turkish company for joint development and production. While this effort is not yet finalized, it reflects our strategy to deepen local partnerships. The collaboration somewhat depends on securing key business opportunities that we are actively pursuing.
Defence Turkey: With this joint effort and collaboration, are you aiming to develop a new type of equipment or an improved version of your existing systems? Is this initiative intended to address potential ITAR or other export limitations?
Kurt WORDEN: First and foremost, it is important to clarify that we have no export limitations. The products that we have developed are classified under the EAR (Export Administration Regulations) with an ECCN of EAR99, meaning they are commercial items and qualify for a license exception. Furthermore, there is no specific license requirement other than the regular due diligence that applies to any commercial sale.
Süleyman BAYRAMOĞLU: To add to that, our joint venture efforts aim to develop and manufacture equipment in Türkiye for export to other countries. This aligns with our strategy to enhance local production capabilities and leverage Türkiye’s advantageous position as an exporter to allied nations and neighboring regions.
Kurt WORDEN: Indeed, in addition to our objective of increasing local production of systems currently sold in Türkiye, this initiative focuses on enhancing response times and improving the serviceability of the units.
Regarding your inquiry about enhancements, our systems are continually undergoing development. Incremental upgrades are an integral part of our process to ensure they meet the evolving needs and operational requirements of our customers.
Defence Turkey: What are your impressions of SAHA EXPO’s B2B platform and its effectiveness in facilitating collaborations?
Kurt WORDEN: The B2B component of SAHA EXPO surpassed my expectations. I must commend the organizers for the level of professionalism and structure they brought to this aspect of the event. Many trade shows make claims to have a B2B platform, but they often fall short in execution. Here, the platform was well-organized, and the meetings were productive. The organizers deserve recognition for making the B2B interactions genuinely beneficial.
Süleyman BAYRAMOĞLU: I wholeheartedly concur. Beyond merely providing a B2B platform, the organizers actively facilitated the meetings and ensured that the appropriate companies were matched for discussions. This oversight significantly enhanced the effectiveness of the B2B sessions compared to similar events.
Defence Turkey: How do you select a partner in Türkiye? What factors led you to choose a specific company as your partner for a joint venture?
Kurt WORDEN: We look for a partner operating in a complementary field—aligned with our business area but not directly overlapping. Compatibility in company culture, size, and operational philosophies are paramount. While we share a common space, the partnership flourishes on the differences that add value rather than duplication.
Defence Turkey: Therefore, the partnership is designed to complement each other’s strengths?
Süleyman BAYRAMOĞLU: Precisely, complementarity capability is a crucial element. Beyond technical and business alignment, there is also a personal connection. The individuals we have engaged with are highly enthusiastic, collaborative, and open—qualities that we prioritize and share.
Kurt WORDEN: We have also invested sufficient time in working with them to gain a comprehensive understanding of their product and engineering philosophies. This mutual comprehension facilitates seamless collaboration and positions us for success.
Defence Turkey: You mentioned exporting products jointly with your Turkish partner. Are there specific geographical markets you are focusing on, or will this cooperation encompass all regions?
Kurt WORDEN: That is an excellent question. As with most joint ventures, the response varies depending on the product’s origin and export regulations of the manufacturing country. Our approach will be tailored to comply with regional regulations while maximizing market opportunities.
Defence Turkey: In addition to selling the products, are you also planning to provide maintenance services for the products produced and sold?
Kurt WORDEN: Certainly. Maintenance and service are fundamental to this partnership. While they excel in their respective fields, they may lack a direct presence in certain regions where their products are sold.
Süleyman BAYRAMOĞLU: By combining our strengths, we ensure comprehensive serviceability and support for the end-users directly or through our partner customers.
Defence Turkey: Regarding your cooperation, will the jointly developed products be exclusively manufactured in Türkiye, or will production be distributed?
Kurt WORDEN: It will be manufactured in the location that is most advantageous for selling that product. This could be in Türkiye, the U.S., or even another country, depending on logistical and regulatory factors.
Defence Turkey: Could you please provide information on your product range? New platforms are continually entering or being inducted into the service. Not only are manned platforms being utilized, but unmanned platforms are also gaining traction and entering service. The Turkish Navy has already inducted unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) and unmanned armed surface vehicles (UASVs) into its operations. Therefore, are you also offering or developing products for unmanned surface or underwater platforms?
Kurt WORDEN: Yes, electrical power is a critical requirement for all such platforms. Wherever electrical power is present, there are associated challenges that must be addressed. Solving these challenges is precisely our area of expertise. We are actively engaged in developing tailored solutions for unmanned platforms, both surface and underwater.
Defence Turkey: Have you participated in any of the four or five companies involved in the unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) programs in Türkiye, namely HAVELSAN, METEKSAN, ASELSAN, or ARES?
Kurt WORDEN: In the United States, our products are operational in unmanned surface vehicles (USVs), unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs), and UAV ground station power systems.
Süleyman BAYRAMOĞLU: In Türkiye, to date, we have provided power solutions for a UAV system developed by a local company. Our involvement was specific to the ground station’s power layer, rather than the air platform itself.
Defence Turkey: Is the system currently operational?
Süleyman BAYRAMOĞLU: Yes, our technology is operational and in use not only by the Turkish Armed Forces (TAF) but also internationally. For instance, it has been deployed in Ukraine.
Defence Turkey: Are you referring to Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs)?
Süleyman BAYRAMOĞLU: That is correct. Our contributions to date have been focused on UAVs, not Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USVs). However, our systems are actively in service across various USV platforms, Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUVs), and UAV ground stations in the United States.
Defence Turkey: Are there any new programs that you have recently joined or are planning to join in Türkiye? Are these programs related to Land, Navy, or Air Forces?
Süleyman BAYRAMOĞLU: We are exploring several promising opportunities at present, although none have yet been finalized. Naval programs remain a key focus area for us, as we have been providing custom or customized power solutions for locally developed indigenous projects spanning over 12 years.
Additionally, there is significant potential in ground systems and remote stations. We have been engaging with our partners on these fronts and are confident that our solutions align well with their requirements.
Particularly, our recently launched Tactical Edge Product Family has demonstrated its effectiveness in combat scenarios in the United States and meets the operational and functional requirements of such platforms optimally.
Defence Turkey: For example, I see ground-based surveillance radar. One hour ago, they signed a new contract for ASELSAN’s new static land-based air surveillance radar system. Are you also involved in this or similar programs?
Süleyman BAYRAMOĞLU: Yes, we are indeed involved in similar programs. ASELSAN, undoubtedly one of our most important partners and customers in Turkey, has collaborated with us on numerous programs. While we have not yet contributed to this particular project, we are actively engaged in other programs and continue to strengthen our collaboration.
Defence Turkey: Currently, AESA radars are gaining popularity in the air, land, and naval domains. Are your products also compatible with AESA-type radars for airborne, naval, and land-based applications?
Süleyman BAYRAMOĞLU: Our products are not specifically designed for airborne AESA radars. However, they are actively deployed in ground-based and naval AESA radar systems.
Defence Turkey: We appreciate your time and insights shared with our readers
