Turkish Defense & Aerospace Industry’s Achievements in 2020 & Targets for 2021
Despite the certain level of decrease in export revenues, the number of Turkish Defense and Aerospace companies in the list of world’s top 100 defense companies reached 7 with the inclusion of Havelsan and FNSS. Five more Turkish companies managed to enter this list in the last five years. Ranking 48th in the list with nearly US$ 2.3 billion turnover (95% from the sales of defense industry products) in 2019, Aselsan had its title written in the list of top 50 companies, TUSAŞ (53rd), BMC (89th), Roketsan (91st), STM (92nd), FNSS (98th) and Havelsan (99th) achieved to rank among the top 100 companies.
Turkish Defense and Aerospace Industry uninterruptedly continued its production activities in shifts (production process has been divided into shifts and the number of employees in each shift has been decreased) despite the Covid-19 pandemic, thanks to the measures adopted and special permissions and though certain products could not be delivered in planned amounts due to the delay in the procurement of some foreign sub-systems based on the explicit and implicit embargoes applied by the so-called friendly and allied nations, it pursued the delivery of the high-technology indigenous products demanded by the Turkish Armed Forces and Security Forces in 2020.
2020 has been the year where the first indigenous probe rocket SR-0.1 launched to space reaching an altitude of 136 km as part of the Micro Satellite Launcher System Project became the first Turkish vehicle to reach the space, where the first delivery of the New Generation Criminal Investigation Vehicle KIRAÇ to the Security General Directorate (SGD, Turkish Police) took place, where KAMİKAZE Mini UAV KARGU-2 and first national armed drone system SONGAR was introduced to the Security Forces, where first P-72 Maritime Patrol Aircraft was delivered to Naval Forces Command (TNFC), where STM’s DM-5 and DM-7 Portable Ammunition Systems that enable repeated firing to 5.56 mm and 7.62 mm machine guns were presented to the Security Forces for the first time and where the first indigenously designed helicopter engine TEI-TS-1400 was delivered to TUSAŞ. The year 2020 was a year full of achievements where the strategic developments in projects occurred: the first national and indigenous air defense system HİSAR A+’s final acceptance test was conducted and it was rendered available to be included in the inventory, the inventory acceptance process of our first national anti-ship guided missile ATMACA was launched as the missile’s tests were finalized, the final stage before the inventory started for the SUNGUR Air Defense System, AKINCI Combat Unmanned Air Vehicle was rendered available for serial production, AKSUNGUR A-UAV successfully completed its firing test with the INS/GPS + Laser Guided TEBER-82 munition and the serial production activities of the drone were launched. Deliveries continued uninterruptedly and many new projects were launched in 2020, as well. Along with the achievements in the projects, critical progress was made in exports with the contracts signed with the allied countries in Eastern Europe, Middle East, North Africa, Caucasia, Central Asia and South Asia.
Presidency of Defense Industries (SSB) gathered with the press members as part of the “Meeting for the Assessment of 2020 and Targets for 2021” held on January 11, 2021 at the SSB for informing the public on the activities conducted in 2020 and the targets identified for 2021. In light of the information shared in the meeting, following are the list of the prominent activities held in 2020 by the Turkish Defense Industry Companies under the guidance of the Presidency of Defense Industries and the critical activities planned to be executed in 2021.
Turkish Defense Industry’s Critical Activities in 2020
Aerospace and Space
AKINCI UCAV was rendered available for serial production. Maiden flight of the second prototype was conducted. Activities on the third prototype were launched.
AKSUNGUR A-UAV’s serial production activities were initiated.
First indigenous probe rocket launched as part of the Micro Satellite Launcher System Project was the first Turkish vehicle to enter space through reaching an altitude of 136 kilometers.
First P-72 Maritime Patrol Aircraft was delivered to the Naval Forces Command within the scope of Meltem-3 Project.
Utilization of the Kamikaze Mini UAV KARGU-2 and Armed Mini/Micro UAV SONGAR started.
Within the F-16 Structural Upgrade Project, the structural improvement activities of the first two F-16 Block-30 Aircraft were completed and the aircraft were delivered to the TurAF.
Execution of the design activities and wind tunnel tests of the National Combat Aircraft (TF-X) continued. Sub-systems were selected.
Air Defense, Weapons and Ammunition
Final acceptance tests of Low Altitude Air Defense Missile System HİSAR-A+ were conducted successfully and the system became ready to be included in the inventory.
Routine tests of the Medium Altitude Air Defense Missile System HİSAR-O+ were performed successfully.
Activities for including the SUNGUR Air Defense System in the inventory reached the final stage. As a portable system, SUNGUR can be integrated to land, air and naval platforms.
Ground tests of the short and medium/long range BOZDOĞAN and GÖKDOĞAN air-to-air missiles were completed successfully and the certification tests over the aircraft were initiated.
Tests over the first indigenous anti-ship guided ATMACA missile reached the end and relevant activities for inclusion in the inventory started.
TRLG-230 Missile System was developed through integrating a laser seeker into the TRG-230 Missile System to fire the targets identified by UAVs and A-UAVs from the ground.
DM-7 and DM-5 Portable Ammunition Systems that enable continuous firing for 7.62mm and 5.56mm machine guns were put into the service of our Security Forces for the first time.
Roketsan Explosive Raw Material Production Plant was launched to service. The facility will minimize the foreign dependency in raw material required by the missile and rocket warhead explosives.
Naval Projects
Launched to sea in May 2019, the Harbor Acceptance Tests (HAT) of the Multi-Purpose Amphibious Assault Ship (LHD) TCG Anadolu (L-400), which will be the largest battleship under the service of the Naval Forces Command (TNFC) with its length of 230.8, were initiated.
Construction of the Test and Training Vessel TCG Ufuk (A-591) with intelligence capabilities (ELINT/SIGINT) was completed, the Sea Acceptance Tests (SAT) were launched.
Two Emergency Dive Training Boats and the second New SAT Boat were delivered to the TNFC.
Land Vehicle Projects
Within the scope of the FIRAT M60T Project, the qualification of the PULAT Active Protection System was completed and the system’s integration into the tanks started.
Installation of the additional armor packages to the tanks was launched as part of the modernization of the Leopard 2A4 Main Battle Tanks.
As a groundbreaking development in our country, the first KIRAÇ vehicles manufactured in line with the New Generation Criminal Investigation Vehicle Project were delivered to the Directorate General of Security.
First assembly of the PARS 6x6 Mine-Resistant Armored Combat Vehicle with leading features in its class was conducted. The vehicle will be included in the Turkish Armed Forces (TAF) inventory for the first time.
Modernization of the first prototype of the Armored Combat Vehicle was completed after intensive design and integration activities.
Electronic Systems
Indigenous Identification Friend or Foe System (IFF Mode-5/S) was to the F-16 aircraft within the Turkish Air Force (TurAF) inventory.
Design activities of the IFF Mode-5/S Transponder device designed and manufactured by Aselsan were completed and the serial production of the device was launched. IFF Mode-5/S Transponder device’s integration to the prototype F-16 Block 30TM Aircraft was accomplished and the first test flight was conducted successfully.
CATS FLIR Electro-Optical Reconnaissance, Surveillance and Target Acquisition System’s serial production started. CATS FLIR will be installed to and utilized by the Armed UAVs and Unmanned Combat Air Vehicles (UCAVs). Upgraded version of the UAV Reconnaissance, Surveillance and Target Acquisition System AselFLIR-F500C Project was launched.
KARAKULAK High-Frequency Direction Finding & Interception System was included in the TAF inventory for the first time.
New Generation KORAL (KORAL-II) Electronic Warfare System Project was inaugurated.
Establishment of the Electronic Warfare Coordination Center (SEHKOM) was completed and the center launched its activities.
The ROBOTIM Project, where the artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled unmanned air and land vehicles will be performing in swarm in a fully automated manner in circumstances without GPS, was initiated.
The contract for the Indigenous Scanning System (MILTAR) Project, where the indigenous production of the X-ray devices and container scanning systems, was signed. These products are manufactured by merely seven countries in the world.
Deliveries under the Electronic Concrete Monitoring System Project commenced under the guidance of the SSB for the Ministry of Environment and Urbanization were realized.
Significant Defense Industry Activities Planned for 2021
Aerospace and Space
Initial deliveries of the AKINCI Unmanned Combat Air Vehicles (UCAVs) will be realized.
Serial production of the AKSUNGUR Armed Unmanned Air Vehicles (A-UAV) will continue.
Projects regarding the performance of swarm system tasks of the Mini, Tactical, Operative and Strategic Class UAVs and AUAVs will be launched.
Initial delivery of the upgraded Phase-2 version of the T129 ATAK Helicopters will be started.
Structural improvement of the F-16 Block 30 Aircraft within the TurAF’s inventory will continue.
Three Maritime Patrol Aircraft and Maritime Utility Aircraft as part of the MELTEM-3 Project will be delivered.
Within the scope of the ERCIYES Project, two more C-130 A/B transport aircraft, the avionic modernization of which was completed, will be delivered.
Design activities and wind tunnel tests of the National Combat Aircraft (MMU) will continue. Sub-system designs will start.
Air Defense, Weapons and Ammunition
Low Altitude Air Defense Missile System HİSAR-A+ will be included in the inventory and initial deliveries will be conducted.
Medium Altitude Air Defense Missile System HİSAR-O+’s tests will be completed and the missile will be available to be included in the inventory.
Detailed design of the system and sub-system components under the Long Range Air and Missile Defense System – SIPER Project will be completed under Aselsan-Roketsan-TÜBİTAK SAGE cooperation.
First delivery within the scope of the first indigenous anti-ship cruise missile ATMACA will be realized (in the 2nd quarter of 2021).
Initial delivery of the Indigenous and National Heavy Weight Torpedo AKYA will begin.
First delivery of the KARAOK – the Man Portable Anti-Tank Missile will be realized.
Firing tests of the short and medium/long range BOZDOĞAN and GÖKDOĞAN air-to-air missiles developed to be used by the combat aircraft within the TurAF’s inventory will be completed.
Delivery of the first indigenous 7.62 mm Machine Guns (PMT 7.62) developed for platforms will commence.
Delivery of the systems developed to replace the Modular Gunpowder System procured from foreign countries will be launched.
The first group of mortars modernized within the scope of the project launched for increasing the efficiency of mortars within the inventory will be delivered.
The Laser Weapon System Project will be launched for the first time for the SGD.
Production activities conducted at the Roketsan Explosive Raw Material Production Plant will be maintained. These activities will minimize foreign dependency on the explosives utilized in rocket and missile systems.
Naval Projects
The Multipurpose Amphibious Assault Ship (LHD) TCG Anadolu will be delivered.
Test and Training Ship TCG UFUK will be delivered.
The first Ship as part of the Logistic Support Ship – LDG Project will be delivered.
The MILGEM Project’s fifth ship, the I Class Frigate TCG Istanbul will be launched to sea.
Within the scope of the New Type Submarine Project, the first submarine TCG PiriReis (S-330) will be launched to sea and the second submarine TCG HızırReis (S-331) will be docked. The docking ceremony of the TCG PiriReis, which was the first of the REİS Class Type 214TN Submarines, was held on December 22, 2019. Following the completion of ongoing outfitting efforts, the TCG PiriReis submarine will undergo Factory Acceptance Tests (FAT), Harbor Acceptance Tests (HAT) and Sea Acceptance Tests (SAT) before its induction into the service of the TNFC in 2022.
New projects on unmanned surface and underwater vehicles will be launched.
Land Vehicle Projects
Prototype production of the Heavy-Class Unmanned Land Vehicle (ULV) will be performed.
First vehicles of the Second Level Medium-Class ULV will be delivered and a contract will be signed for the First Level.
First products as part of the Third Level Light-Class ULV will be delivered.
Initial delivery of the PARS 6x6 Mine-Resistant Vehicles will be conducted. The vehicles will be included in the Turkish Armed Forces (TAF) inventory for the first time.
Contracts regarding the Battle Tank Transporter, Wheeled Container Transporter and Wheeled Rescue Vehicle Projects will be signed.
Electronic Systems
First delivery of the KTJ-3200 Turbojet Engine, which will be employed by SOM and ATMACA missiles, will be realized.
First prototype of the BATU MBT engine developed for the ALTAY BMT will be operated (2021 April/May).
First prototype of the UTKU engine and transmission developed for the New Generation Light-Weight Armored Vehicles will be run.
First system as part of the High-Frequency Electronic Warfare (HF EW – MILKAR-4A2) Project will be delivered.
First delivery of the Early Warning Radar System (EWRS) that will cover TurAF’s early warning requirements indigenously instead of foreign systems will be conducted.
Delivery of the first serial production Radar EW Systems within the scope of the Radar Electronic Support (ES)/Electronic Warfare (EW) Systems Project will be made.
Serial production of the CATS Electro-Optical Reconnaissance, Surveillance and Target Acquisition System will continue. The design stage of the upgraded version the AselFLIR-F500C Project will commence, and the Project will be launched
