Turkey- Germany Cooperation in Defence Industry
As already known, the bilateral defense industry relations of Turkey-Germany have started in 1960’s, yet, it has reached today’s large volume with the “cooperation projects” starting from 1990.The Mine Hunting Vessel project is one of the important projects, which is carried out by Turkish Undersecretariat with German Abeking & Rasmussen and Fr.Lürssen Werft Consortium for the supply of 6 Mine Hunting Vessels and 1 Shore-Based Simulator for the Naval Forces Command in order to ensure safe entry and exit of our surface combatants, submarines and trade ships to/from passages, bases and ports and protect sea transportation against mine threats.
At the land platforms, the projects carried out by SSM with German Defense Industry companies are Electronic Target Systems for Tank Firing Project (EHS) and M60 A1 Tank Modernization Project. The fixed and moving target systems have been procured by ASELSAN A.Ş. from Thyssen Company. In addition, within the scope of M60 A1 Tank Modernization Project, the power groups of MTU/RENK Company are installed in modernized tanks.
Within the frame of the Missile Warning System Project, through technology transfer from the subcontractor EADS Company (Germany), the establishment of production of test lines at ASELSAN A.Ş. facilities for the Missile Launch Detection System (MILDS) and in-country production under license were realized. Also, Missile Warning System Support Center (MWSSC) that allows software modifications on Missile Launch Detection System was procured from EADS Company.
Recently The Turkish Navy had commenced negotiations with HDW for the co-production of six Type 214 class air-independent propulsion (AIP) submarines. These submarines will be "co-produced" with “maximum involvement of Turkish industry at Gölcük Naval Shipyard" in Kocaeli, Turkey. On the 2nd of July 2009, HDW and the Turkish Ministry of Defence signed an agreement for the co-production of 6 submarines at a cost of in excess of $10 billion.
Turkey and Germany signed an agreement over cooperation in defence equipment research, development, production, procurement, and support in training and industrial cooperation on the sidelines of the IDEF'09 in Istanbul. The agreement focused on a strategic partnership between the two countries in the defense industry.
In naval and air platforms there are significant projects carried out by German companies such as frigates, submarine, stinger missiles. This agreement provides new cooperation fields between Turkish and German industries regarding joint production, joint research and development and partnership on exporting to third parties.
German Companies in Turkey
RENK Transmisyon Sanayi A.Ş. is founded in 1999 by the cooperation of RENK AG (Germany) and AKSA Makina Sanayi A.Ş. and it executes the activities of RENK AG in Turkey. The company satisfies the transmission need of the new Modern Turkish Tank Project of Turkish Armed Forces and manufactures Tank transmission for the modernization of M60-A1 tanks listed in the Turkish Armed Forces inventory and also supplies reduction gear needed in Turkish private sector.
RENK production gear group is used in some ships of Turkish Naval Forces. Also, there are RENK products in submarines listed in the inventory of Turkish Naval Forces. RENK products offering high performance, endurance, credibility are selected for important projects in Turkey. Gear units of main propulsion system of Heybeliada, the first ship in Antisubmarine Warfare, Search and Patrol Ship (MİLGEM) project, is provided from RENK. Gear units of RENK are selected for main propulsion systems of four search and rescue ship needed by Turkish Coast Guard Command which is another important national project. RENK Transmisyon Sanayi A.Ş. provides service and spare parts of gear systems of RENK used in military and civil ships listed in the inventory of Turkey on behalf of RENK AG.
Since its establishment in 1990, MTU is the leading supplier of the Turkish Marine Forces and the Coast Guard. MTU-Turkey has undertaken important duties and responsibilities to ensure MTU products serve most effectively and at the highest level. Today, for example, over 120 MTU engines with 1150 BHP - 3650 BHP outputs continue to be used in boats of the Coast Guard, Customs Protection, and Ministry of Health built by Yonca Shipyard. Besides, the Turkish Coastal Guard Command uses MTU engines on almost all of its boats. MTU has undertaken effective roles in major projects including MILGEM Class Corvette, New Type Station Boat and LCT ship building projects of the Marine Forces Command, and the Modernization projects of the Coast Guard Command.
ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems, a system builder with a strong position in naval shipbuilding and Hatko Group established 'ThyssenKrupp Marin Sistem Gemi San. ve Tic. A.Ş.' in 2006.
EADS, Diehl, Rheinmetall, KMW and Rohde & Schwarz have established their liaison offices in Turkey.
