“We Don’t Just Develop Technology; We Are Creating an R&D School That Carries Türkiye’s Engineering Culture to the Global Stage!”
Founded in 1978, FEV is today a global technology leader that not only delivers solutions but also shapes technological advancements, taking direct engineering responsibility in defence and aerospace projects worldwide. Under the leadership of Global CEO Dr. Patrick HUPPERICH, FEV operates in 45 countries with an approach that places innovation at the very core of engineering. Established in December 2011, FEV Türkiye has become a strong R&D center serving the defence industry in the fields of systems engineering, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and testing. With engineering hubs located in İstanbul, Ankara, Kocaeli, Bursa, and İzmir, the company plays a crucial role in advancing Türkiye’s engineering capabilities on an international scale.
We are pleased to present our exclusive interview with Mr. Önder ERDOĞAN, General Manager of FEV Türkiye; we discussed the company’s engineering capability and ongoing work in the defence sector, its R&D structure, and its vision for the future of defence technologies.
Defence Turkey: FEV is known globally as an engineering powerhouse developing technologies across multiple industries. However, your recent activities in the defence sector have drawn particular attention. How would you describe FEV’s approach and objectives in this field?
Önder ERDOĞAN: Today, FEV is a strong R&D partner providing solutions in mobility, energy, defence, aviation and software sectors across many regions of the world. For us, the defence industry is not only a strategic field but also one that demands the highest level of engineering discipline. Therefore, we conduct our work in this sector by combining our global network with the full depth of our technological expertise and accumulated know-how.
As FEV Türkiye, we possess an advanced engineering in the defence industry and are already positioned among the leading players in this field. We provide end-to-end systems engineering, software, cybersecurity, testing, and integration services for land, air, and naval platforms. Our long-standing technological competencies make a significant contribution to these efforts.
We are able to carry out our operations using Türkiye’s local infrastructure and our own technical teams. As such, we are not constrained by international regulations or intergovernmental restrictions in this regard. FEV Türkiye can continue its work seamlessly as a fully independent engineering force.
What differentiates us in the defence industry is not merely performing analysis or design, but our ability to manage the entire development process—from concept to prototype, from validation to field deployment. This approach reflects FEV’s global “innovation powerhouse” culture and embodies the vision shaped under the leadership of Global CEO Dr. Patrick HUPPERICH—integrating multidisciplinary engineering expertise from various industries into strategic domains such as defence.
Defence Turkey: Could you tell us more about the roles FEV Türkiye has undertaken in defence projects and the engineering support you provide?
Önder ERDOĞAN: At FEV Türkiye, we are responsible for the engineering and integration of many critical systems used in defence platforms. For example, in aerospace projects, we provide engineering support in electrical/electronic system architecture, wiring harnesses, fixture design, and production verification processes. Similarly, for tracked and wheeled land vehicles, we carry out the full integration of powerpack development, cooling, air intake, exhaust, and transmission connection systems. We also manage projects focused on the full vehicle development projects involving architecture, styling, body, chassis, electrical and powertrain designs.
In addition, we play an active role in system engineering, test planning, and validation processes within various modernization programs. FEV’s global defence portfolio is also quite extensive. The company is transferring next-generation propulsion technologies into defence platforms through projects such as fuel-cell-powered military vehicle concepts, hydrogen storage systems, and high-voltage drivetrains conducted in different countries. Moreover, FEV teams around the world are jointly developing R&D projects with numerous defence authorities in areas such as sensor fusion and mission-oriented, AI-based control systems for autonomous vehicles. When this extensive global know-how is combined with FEV Türkiye’s local engineering capabilities, it creates a truly unique synergy.
Defence Turkey: FEV has more than 45 years of R&D experience globally. How is this legacy reflected in your current structure within the defence domain?
Önder ERDOĞAN: FEV’s roots lie in academic innovation. The company’s founding figure, Prof. Stefan PISCHINGER, was one of the pioneers of university-based R&D in the industry. Today, under the leadership of Dr. Patrick HUPPERICH, that academic foundation has evolved into a much broader vision.
The defence industry represents the most strategic field of application for this vision—because it is not solely about engineering. Factors such as reliability, durability, functional safety, and data confidentiality are equally critical. FEV possesses deep expertise in all these areas and operates fully in line with NATO, European Union, and U.S. defence standards. In Türkiye, we localize this legacy—developing projects that adhere to the same global standards but are powered by national capabilities.
Defence Turkey: Today, technologies such as artificial intelligence, autonomy, and digitalization are at the heart of defence systems. How does FEV position itself within this transformation?
Önder ERDOĞAN: Artificial Intelligence (AI) is not just a tool for us—it has become the backbone of our engineering processes. Across all of FEV’s global projects, the AI-driven systems engineering approach lies at the core.
At FEV Türkiye, we focus on AI-based decision-support systems, proprietary motion algorithms, sensor fusion, and mission profile optimization. These algorithms enable, for example, an unmanned ground vehicle to navigate challenging terrain autonomously or allow a tactical system to analyze sensor data and make the right decisions in real time. Moreover, our ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems) solutions can be integrated into military vehicles as well. Systems such as image processing, threat recognition, route optimization, and driver fatigue detection directly enhance battlefield safety.
On a global scale, FEV teams are developing data analytics, simulation, and digital twin technologies across a wide range of applications—from autonomous ground vehicles to unmanned aerial systems. We have the capability to rapidly implement these technologies within Türkiye’s defence projects as well.
In this sense, our defence-related research is both technically advanced and genuinely exciting—because when combined with the creativity and discipline of young Turkish engineers, it produces results that go beyond global standards.
Defence Turkey: What role does FEV Türkiye’s R&D infrastructure and engineering team play in this success?
Önder ERDOĞAN: With engineering centers across five cities, FEV Türkiye possesses one of the most extensive R&D infrastructures in the country. Around 400 of our engineers are engaged in projects spanning defence, energy, and advanced technologies. Our teams consist not only of individuals with high technical expertise but also of young engineers who possess strong innovative thinking skills.
These engineers are actively involved in international projects across diverse fields—from artificial intelligence and autonomous systems to power electronics and functional safety. Personally, I take great pride in working alongside such a talented and dynamic team. Witnessing how local talents contribute to the global R&D ecosystem through projects that will shape Türkiye’s future gives me immense satisfaction. Every day when I step into the office and see the enthusiasm in our engineers’ eyes, it reaffirms that FEV Türkiye is advancing with the right vision. We are not merely producing technology; we are creating an R&D culture that carries Türkiye’s engineering spirit onto the global stage.
Defence Turkey: How would you summarize FEV Türkiye’s vision for the future of the defence sector?
Önder ERDOĞAN: As you know, FEV is strong in many markets—acting as an R&D partner in fields such as mobility, energy, software, defence and aerospace. But I can state this very clearly: the knowledge and experience FEV has built over decades across different sectors—when harmonized with the dynamics and requirements of the defence industry—create an exceptional synergy.
Today, FEV takes on direct engineering responsibility in numerous defence projects around the world, positioning itself not merely as a solution provider but as a technology driver. FEV Türkiye contributes significantly to the defence industry by combining this global synergy with its own local engineering strength.
Our goal is to support the digital transformation of Türkiye’s defence ecosystem, the proliferation of intelligent systems, and the localization of secure software infrastructures. We are no longer just an R&D company—we are moving forward with the vision of becoming an engineering force that builds the digital defence systems of the future.
Defence Turkey: Finally, Mr. Önder, is there any message you would like to share with the readers of Defence Turkey?
Önder ERDOĞAN: FEV Türkiye is shaping the future of engineering through defence technologies. To advance the strong position our country has achieved in the defence industry even further, we work together with both our local and global partners under a shared vision. For us, each project is not only a technical task but also a responsibility—and we carry that responsibility for the future of our nation. It is a true honor to walk this path alongside Türkiye’s young engineers, guided by science and innovation
