Roketsan and UAE: A Strong and Promising Cooperation

Defence Turkey: Roketsan has established close relationship with UAE with contacts since early of 2000s. Within this respect could you please inform us about the your activities from the beginning?

Since our establishment in 1988, we have carried out various national and international programs not only for Turkish Armed Forces requirements but also for the allied/friendly nations. In early 90’s Roketsan started the development of MLRS Rockets with extended ranges. After the delivery to Turkish Armed Forces the systems drew attention of the international customers.

Hence, UAE is an important allied nation which Roketsan is proud to fullfil its requirements. At late 1990’s, we initiated the negotiations with UAE Armed Forces and our first contract regarding supply of 122 mm rockets and weapon system was signed in 2001. This first contract enabled both parties to understand each other and build strong base for future programs.

With this strong and promising relationship, Roketsan has started developing new systems for specific requirements for the UAE Armed Forces and delivered two different types of Multi Cradle Rocket Launcher MCRL systems. This specific contract proved that Roketsan’s design and engineering capability can be used for customized UAE Armed Forces’ requirements.

Following the successful completion of these programs, Roketsan signed another contract with Burkan Munitions Systems (BMS), a local company licensed for explosives and mechanical parts production, for co-production of the artillery rockets in UAE. In the scope of this contract, technology transfer has been realized to provide necessary infrastructure to UAE for national programs.

Our existing relation will continue to grow with the new generation systems and new program models based on win-win scenarios.

Defence Turkey: Could you please enlighten us about the recent status of the projects that you are carrying out in UAE?

First two projects were completed succesfully. Nowadays, we are trying to develop new projects as an extension of these projects.The project we are running with BMS is going on schedule and BMS has completed production line qualification successfully.

Defence Turkey: The contract was signed between Roketsan and BMS, and a joint production venture was established. Within the scope of these achievements, how do you assess your cooperation with BMS?

As I explained earlier, the growing relations between UAE and Roketsan led us to further extend our cooperation. In this context we are proud to share our expertise with the local industry, BMS Company where we believe is a perfect partner.

The key to success in co-production is the common understanding between the companies. We believe we have successfuly demonstrated this understanding with efforts of both companies. The customer is also satisfied with the results of this cooperation, which we are pleased with.

Defence Turkey: As you mentioned, you have a successful cooperation with BMS. What are your joint plans and strategies to export other Gulf nations?

We believe a cooperation that is successful should be strengthened and carried forward. In this vision we plan to set BMS as a major post for production for the requirements of other nations in the region. This cooperation also requires co-marketing activities.

Defence Turkey: As it is well known, Cirit, which is in Turkish Armed Forces’ inventory, made sound achievements in markets. Could any new cooperation fields on Cirit be considered in coming future with UAE?

The system you mentioned, which we are proudly present as our indeginous product is the 2,75" Laser Guided Missile so called "Cirit". This unique missile is an All-Up-Round Laser Guided System which is developed to fill the gap between unguided low-precission rockets and the expensive heavy antitank missiles and it is under serial production since 2011.

We started to discuss with Tawazun the possibilities of "Cirit" related cooperation models at mid 2012. With the great spirit and big efforts of both parties as a team, we have succeeded to reach contract at early 2013 for certain number of supply of "Cirit" and related items. This contract also covers integration of "Cirit" to UAE’s specified platforms. Personally I have never experienced such complex and big contract award within a short time namely less than a year. This also proves that how our teams worked very closely and cooperatively.

As you have mentioned "Cirit" is still a highlight in the international markets. After Turkish Armed Forces’ transaction, UAE is the first export customer for "Cirit". Being used by two respected armed forces of the region gives Roketsan a big leverage to market "Cirit" especially in the Gulf region and other parts of globe. We believe that this first "Cirit" contract leads us long term partnership with different and exciting business models with Tawazun in the new future.

Defence Turkey: Would you like to further messages to our readers?

We are and we will continously work to extend our long lasting relationship with the UAE. There is already strong base from previous programs established successfully. As it is mentioned our relation started at late 1990’s with artillery systems and continued with related weapon systems and technology transfer for artillery systems. Today, we are working on new generation smart missiles like Cirit and possible co-marketing activities in the gulf region.

In the new future more cooperation models and new products will be on the table for the interest of two nations. We already started to share ideas about Long Range Anti-Tank System (UMTAS) and Stand-Off Missile (SOM).

We are glad to be in IDEX 2013 like our last four IDEX exhibitions before. This exhibition is very important for us as much as IDEF in İstanbul. Personally I and my team feel very confident and comfortable in here like our home away from home.