Prof. Dr. Hasan MANDAL
The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TÜBİTAK) is implementing the strategic approach of co-creation and succeeding together throughout the ecosystem. The approach has key relevance for the defense industry that requires developing the newest technologies and systems at a rapid pace with mission sensitive assumptions and technical requirements. The defense industry is a pride of our country and the accomplishments of the defense industry, which have no bounds based on this shared approach, are guiding the entire ecosystem into new achievements. As TÜBİTAK, we are constantly diversifying new opportunities and strengthening value chains based on R&D and innovation while enabling our actors, including the defense industry, to reach new areas of technological success.
Based on the strategic approach of TÜBİTAK, High Technology Platforms are established to bring together more than 200 ecosystem actors with a focus on strategic research programs, some of which involve functional nanostructures, electronic and optical components, new generation 3D printer manufacturing technologies as well as ultrasonic, high magnetic field and RF technologies. Our strategic approach further extends into raising co-creation based human resources to sustain new achievements in the future, including in the defense industry. In total, 24 different universities and research infrastructures have joined forces with industries in the defense sector in raising 150 doctoral students in such areas as aerospace engineering, computer science, control engineering, electrical and electronic engineering, materials engineering, mechanical engineering and the basic sciences. The strategic approach of TÜBİTAK is mobilizing institutions and industries across the ecosystem.
Moreover, TÜBİTAK centers and institutes are acting jointly to succeed with the industry in developing new technologies, products and systems. With a focus on impact for national security, the TÜBİTAK Defense Industries Research and Development Institute is working together to directly satisfy the technological needs of this strategic sector. In coordination with the defense industry, this institute specializes across the product development cycle from basic research and conceptual design to engineering and prototype production, including such critical technologies as precision-guided munition and missile systems. The TÜBİTAK Informatics and Information Security Research Center provides achievements from radar technologies, algorithms and electronic warfare pod systems to unmanned aerial vehicles and semiconductor detectors. The TÜBİTAK Marmara Research Center supports the development, localization and nationalization of rocket fuels as well as the development of high-temperature materials. The TÜBİTAK Space Technologies Research Institute provides significant contributions to high-resolution satellites for military and civilian purposes.
This issue of the Defence Turkey magazine that coincides with the IDEF International Defense Industry Fairs as one of the four largest defense industry fairs in the world provides a supporting means of representing the developments in the areas of defense, security, maritime, aviation, and space industries. As TÜBİTAK, we look forward to advancing science and technology, including military technologies, systems and subsystems, that provide impact for military and civilian applications. With these remarks, we welcome the exhibitors, visitors and participants of IDEF 2021 with high expectations for a successful event.
President of TÜBİTAK
Prof. Dr. Hasan MANDAL
