Turkish Defense Industry in Romania: Setting Sail with Business in Mind and Tender on the Itinerary of Annual Naval Exercise

The Turkish Defense Industry under the leadership of STM aims to be involved in Romania’s frigate modernization programs.

 The Turkish defense industry, under the leadership of Savunma Teknolojileri Mühendislik ve Ticaret A.Ş. (STM), made a business trip to Romania as part of the Turkish Navy’s annual exercise, sea star 2016. The battle ships of Turkish Naval Forces visited the Romanian Port of Constanta on April 3-4 and the delegation, led by STM, presented the preparations conducted for assuming the modernization of Romanian frigates.

The maritime sector, gaining impetus particularly with the MILGEM (Indigenous Corvette) Project, continues its activities for gaining new markets in friendly and allied countries by utilizing its indigenous design, engineering and integration capabilities guided by STM. To this end, the vessels of the Turkish Naval Forces visited the Port of Constanta toward strengthening the cooperation between Turkey and Romania.

 Within the scope of the visit, joint participation took place between the governmental and private sector; Turkey’s achievements in this area were presented to the representatives of Romania’s Ministry of Defense and Naval Forces by the delegation led by STM.

 Commander of the Naval Forces Rear Admiral Alexandru Mirsu, Head of the Defense Committee Senator Ion Mocioalca, senior military officers, representatives of the governmental and private sector and a large group of press members attended the event from the host country. Under the presidency of the Deputy Minister of Defense Mr. Şuay Alpay, Deputy Undersecretary for the Defense Industries Dr. Celal Sami Tüfekçi, STM’s General Manager Mr. Davut Yılmaz and other senior executives represented Turkey. 

It was stated that the aim to establish cooperation between Turkey and Romania in the military area would contribute to the regional stability especially in the Black Sea region.

During the event-taking place on April 4, the studies regarding the tender for the modernization of two frigates of the Romanian Naval Forces were explained. An international tender was initiated by Romania for fulfilling the requirements for the renewal of the two British, Type-22 class frigates sold after the removal of the combat systems in years 2004 – 2005. The major companies of the Turkish Defense Industry, led by STM, presented their preparations to the Romanian authorities in order to participate in this tender.

 In addition to the aforementioned modernization Project, the facilities and capabilities of the TCG F-511 Heybeliada Corvette were also introduced to the representatives of the Romanian Naval Forces and Defense Industry at sea (this was the first vessel of the National Ship (MILGEM) Project manufactured through indigenous resources and engineering, a source of pride and significance for Turkey.)

 The signing of the Project Group Cooperation Agreement, actualized by the participation of Havelsan and Aselsan from Turkey under the leadership of STM and Romanian CSR Company, constituted another major step in promotion activities.