Turkish Defense Industry Showed off Capabilities at DIMDEX 2016
The 9th DIMDEX event was held this year and approximately 9,000 visitors from 60 countries and 180 participating companies were welcomed in the Qatari capital of Doha from the 29th – 31st of March. The Qatari Royal Family and VIP delegations from the countries in the region were deeply interested in the event that resulted in a series of memorandums of understanding, valued around $ 983 million, that were signed throughout the fair as well.
A short distance away from the exhibition, a total of 8 warships docked at Doha Commercial Port and were open to VIPs, trade professionals and visitors as part of DIMDEX 2016’s organized program.
Turkey participated nationally in the event under the coordination of the Undersecretariat for Defense Industries and a total of 24 institutions and associations such as Aselsan, Havelsan , Roketsan, MKEK, STM, BMC Turkish Defense Alliance, ADIK Shipyard, Ares Shipyard, Yonca-Onuk J.V, Onur Engineering, Esen System Integration, TrJET, Aspilsan, Öztek, Sur International Investment Co.LTD, CTech, Bites, AVS Saraciye Textile, Femsan Electronics Motors and Teknokar, attended DIMDEX 2016.
On the first day of the 3 day event, Minister of National Defense Mr. İsmet Yılmaz, Undersecretary for Defense Industries Prof. İsmail Demir, Commander of the Turkish Coast Guard Rear Admiral Hakan Üstem, Commander of the Second Army of the Turkish Army General Adem Huduti visited the Turkish stands and were informed on the products and capabilities by company representatives. Moreover, various delegations from Malaysia, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, Thailand and Tunisia visited the Turkish stands.
STM presented its Through-Wall Radar and Underwater Optical Communication Systems for the first time at the event while ADIK Shipyard unveiled the mock-ups of its Landing Helicopter Deck, Off-Shore Patrol Boat, Emergency Rescue and Diver Support Vessel and Training Ship designs for the first time as well.
Ares Shipyard demonstrated the mock–ups of 17 Hercules Fast Intervention Boats that were sold to Qatari Coast Guard Command and also introduced the Multi Role Patrol Craft 125 FAMB to the participants.
Aselsan put mainly the Naval Systems into the forefront at its stand and displayed the SARP turret at the Qatari Armed Forces stand installed over the 6x6 Tactical Wheeled Armored Vehicle. Havelsan conducted various bilateral negotiations with the Qatari officials on the simulation and training centers and cyber security solutions.
Furthermore, on the 3rd day of the event, a contract worth € 41 million was signed between Yonca-Onuk Company and Qatari Naval Forces Command. According to this contract, 6 MRTP 20 (high speed patrol boats) will be delivered to the Qatari Naval Forces Command. Moreover, within the scope of the contract, the weapon systems of the platforms will be covered through the 13,7 mm stabilized machine gun platforms (STAMP) manufactured by Aselsan.
