The 33rd Annual Conference of the ATC Held in Washington D.C.
With the purpose of strengthening Turkish-American defence industry relations, various panels at the Conference discussed topics such as “U.S. and Turkey Relations: Defence Budget Realities; Procurement Priorities and Opportunities for Cooperation in Meeting Requirements,” Creating Opportunities for Defence Industrial Cooperation through Government Initiatives and Programs” and “New Challenges to U.S.-Turkey Defence Industrial Cooperation in a Changing World.” In the panels which saw discussions in depth on Turkish-American defence industry relations, it was pointed out that, in particular, many American technologies were present in the indigenous Turkish platforms and products and in exports to third countries both nations would benefit from this. However, in exports planned to third countries, the license restrictions to American products had slowed contract negotiations and hence the need for a step to be taken by the decision-makers of both nations on this issue was pointed out. The importance of the inclusion of Turkish defence industry main contractors as a risk partner in the American Development Program was also discussed in the panels. On the other hand, the issue of including Turkish companies in the U.S. Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) supply chain within the scope of their local and international needs was also raised.
Speaking at the “U.S. and Turkey Relations: Defense Budget Realities; Procurement Priorities and Opportunities for Cooperation in Meeting requirements,” SSM Undersecretary Prof. Ismail Demir indicated that the ATC was one of the most important forums in terms of Turkish-American relations and added: “The contributions that the U.S. made to Turkey during the Cold War were very important but when we look at the last two decades certain things have begun to change. Together with the development of the Turkish defence industry, Turkey has now become a partner in international programs.”
Emphasizing that Turkey was the 7th NATO member to allocate the most to the defence industry in 2013, Demir indicated that they still had a long road in front of them. Stating that seeing Turkey as a partner nation was the first priority for them, Demir underlined the view that Turkish-American defence industry relationship was expanding each passing day. Demir said: “In 2013, the U.S. was Turkey’s 4th largest supplier and Turkey succeeded in entering among America’s largest suppliers. In looking at the trade between Turkey and the U.S. we note that the biggest industry is defence.
Undersecretary for Defence Industries Mr. Demir: “Our Expectation is that our Products are used by the U.S. Armed Forces”
Stressing that Turkey’s expectation now was that the Turkish defence industries‘ products and technologies be used by the American Armed Forces, Demir went on to add: “In this regard, Turkey wants to invest in the U.S. and in line with this, we have a number of Turkish defence industry firms that are waiting to be partner companies. When this type of collaboration starts, America will also be able to sell its products to third nations and due to its position having Turkey as a partner that can provide logistics to countries in Africa will be much easier.”
Stating that they had realised a very important project for Turkey with Sikorsky with the Utility Helicopter project, Demir said: “Our goal is to be able to sell the T-70i Sikorsky helicopters to third countries.”
The 33rd ATC Conference was represented by top level officials from Aselsan, TAI, Roketsan, Havelsan, TEI, MKEK, STM, MISOFT, Vestel Savunma, Savronik, Alp Aviation, Alp Teknik from Turkey and Pratt&Whitney, Sikorsky, Boeing, BAE Systems, Lockheed Martin, Raytheon and Northrop Grumman firms from the United States.
