Target; 2023, The New Perspective of National Defence Industry
Defence and Aerospace Industry Exporter’s Association’s (SSI) vision meeting that lasted for two days in Bolu is over. During the meetings attended by approximately 50 companies in addition to Ministry representatives and bureaucrats, the actions necessary for the goal of $ 25 billion volume export was discussed. In his assessment on the meeting, SSI Chairman Mr. Latif Aral Aliş pointed out that the fact that defence sector increased its export volume most among other sectors and said “Entry of our products exported by our sector of strategic importance into the government’s inventory would be a great reference for us”. Aliş stated their volume of export in 2013 was $ 1,5 billion and for 2014 they envisioned $ 2 billion and added that they considered the countries of nearby geography as a target Market. Aliş underlined that the sector’s product range was further developed through usage of the highest technology and said “Our promotion team has been established, we determined the target countries and their needs and we are continuing our contacts with the decision makers of these countries”.
the service rifle manufacturing with his own company Sarsılmaz and that they would start exporting it in 2014, Aliş added that they would be applying for the production of the National Service Rifle (MPT) project conducted by the Undersecretariat for Defence Industries (SSM). Aliş said “In the project executed by the SSM, Mechanical and Chemical Industry Corporation (MKE) developed a joint model with Kale Kalıp, but no decision on the production of this model has been given yet. There are two associations that could manage the production of this rifle, MKE and us. We are expecting the decision of SSM on this issue and asking for support”. Aliş concluded that as Sarsılmaz they are ready and the final call would be given by the Undersecretariat.
TAF gets his new rifle
In his assessments regarding the vision meeting, Undersecretary for Defence Industries Mr. Murad Bayar mentioned that their long-term goal is to achieve a completely national defence industry. Bayar underlined Turkey’s great accomplishments especially in aerospace industries and said, “Our strategy is of the future rather than today. We are realizing many national projects including the software. Anka and Hürkuş are significant projects in aviation and a joint helicopter project with Skorsky shall commence in 2014. Moreover, our light and medium weight helicopter project studies continue and major projects on armored vehicles and ships that could also be exported are being conducted”.
Bayar mentioned that in addition to $ 25 million volume export target by 2023, a sector growth of $ 50-60 million should be achieved and added that they attach great importance to involve SMEs into production activities.
Bayar stressed that maximum 3 companies should be involved in the manufacturing of MPTs of which the studies continue and said, “Design of the rifle has been approved and currently it is on the trial by expert gunners. 200 rifles have been manufactured serially as a trial and we would like to start the mass production of annual 20-30 thousand rifles by 2014. There are 600 thousand G3 rifles in the Turkish Armed Forces’ inventory and we would like to renew the inventory in approximately 10 years’ time. We would also like to increase the capacity through expanding the production. Robins will get their new rifles in the summer of 2014”.
Missile Import
Bayar reminded that the importing procedure of the missile from China continues and told that negotiations with the second and third companies in the list would start. Bayar mentioned that they asked the companies in the tender to extend the validity of their proposals and added that they would evaluate new proposals in case they were given within this procedure. Bayar concluded, “We shall see how it would end within 6 months’ time. I do not think that purchasing a missile from China causes any tension in USA’s purchases”.
