Workshop on the New Generation Light Armored Vehicles Realized in Bursa under the Auspices of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Bursa

Having become one of the leading cities of the Turkish economy, Bursa aims to transfer the know-how, experience and production skills acquired in various sectors such as automotive, machinery, textile and chemicals to different industries. Within this context, Bursa companies with crucial know-how in leading sectors also intend to have a voice in defense and aerospace industries that are amongst the most critical industries regarding exports. 

Companies originating in Bursa that conduct production in major international companies in automotive and manufacturing and those that make progress in areas such as certification and qualification have set a primary target to take part amongst the efficient shareholders in national projects to be accomplished in the defense and aerospace industries. 

Although they are still at the initial stage of the process concerning production and exports, Bursa companies obtain significant output through clustering and other projects launched by Bursa’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BTSO). According to the data announced by the Turkish Exporters Assembly (TIM), exports increased by 388.27 percent within the first 7 months of 2017, compared to the same period of the previous year in Bursa that launched a crucial breakthrough in exports with the synergy, cooperation and coordination brought forth by the clustering concept. The value of exports conducted within this period exceeded $ 7 million. Bursa companies seized significant success in exports and are exerting their best efforts in order to take part in the national projects in addition to developing new projects in the defense and aerospace industries. Within this scope, the Workshop on the New Generation Light Armored Vehicles executed at the BTSO through BASDEC’s organization and led by the SSM, gathered major companies of the defense industry based on land platforms and cluster companies of Bursa that are either active or willing to get involved in the defense and aerospace industry. 

Bursa Aerospace and Defense Cluster companies gathered with potential main contractor companies as part of the New Generation Light Armored Vehicles Project initiated in line with the requests of the Land Forces Command at the Workshop on New Generation Light Armored Vehicles hosted by the BTSO, and evaluated the potential cooperation opportunities. 66 companies from Bursa attended the workshop in which giant companies such as Aselsan, BMC, FNSS, Katmerciler and Otokar took part. 

Dr. Mustafa Hatipoğlu, President of the Bursa Aerospace and Defense Cluster took the floor and made opening remarks as the host of the Workshop. Underlining that many SMEs in Bursa have experience in aligning with international standards and cooperating with reputable foreign partners in automotive and manufacturing industries, Dr. Mustafa Hatipoğlu added that these points might create a big advantage for Bursa regarding the defense industry. Stating that the defense and aerospace industries absolutely need to benefit from Bursa’s infrastructure and facilities and Dr.Hatipoğlu continued, “The rate of local participation which is currently around 60 percent will be increasing as soon as our defense industry discovers the capabilities of Bursa. Regarding the new generation armored vehicles, our companies from Bursa are capable of smoothly overcoming the obstacles with their infrastructures regarding automotive, machinery, composite, textile, electronics and software”. Dr.Hatipoğlu also made a presentation on the projects executed by the BTSO, activities of the Bursa Aerospace and Defense Cluster and BTSO’s other clusters as well as the activities regarding the projects for the Development of International Competitiveness. 

BTSO Board Member Mr. İlker Duran mentioned that the business world of Bursa intends to become an active player in all projects that may contribute to Turkey’s growth and development in areas of aerospace and defense and that the companies made a huge breakthrough with the Development of International Competitiveness and Cluster projects launched in this industry. Reminding the audience of the success in increasing exports, reaching 600 percent in 2016 in Bursa in the defense and aerospace industries, Mr.Duran said, “Where the figure per kg regarding Turkey’s exports remains around $1.3, the same figure is at the level of $33 in defense and aerospace industries. This data clearly defines why we attach so much importance to the development of the sector. I hereby congratulate our companies that are the actual architects of this success”. Mr. Duran finally expressed his belief that the business world of Bursa would be making a great contribution to the Project launched in respect to the production of light armored vehicles through its experiences regarding the industry and manufacturing.

New Generation Vehicle Projects Group Manager of the Land Platforms Department of the Undersecretariat for Defense Industries Mr. Ahmet Karadere stated that they organized the workshop in order to inform Bursa’s companies and to discuss the cooperation opportunities with them and added that the Land Platforms Department have accomplished numerous vehicle deliveries in great volumes within the last two years to the authorities such as Land Forces Command, National Police and General Commandership of Gendarmerie. Mr. Karadere underlined that the defense industry activities would further increase in the next decade and continued: “We made significant progress in our projects such as the “Altay” Main Battle Tank, Anti-Tank Vehicle, the Armored Amphibious Assault Vehicle in addition to the New Generation Armored Vehicles Project which we launched in order to fulfill the requirements of 2020s. Our sector representatives that made their mark in crucial domestic projects are now making their mark on important international projects”. 

This Project was initiated upon the requirements of our Turkish Armed Forces in an era in which the production capacities of the companies displayed an important increase as a result of the business volume regarding the land vehicles containing many new sub systems as well. The Undersecretariat for Defense Industries has been developing policies to fulfill the entire sub systems through sub-industry and SMEs via the Project in which significant investments regarding the engine, running gears, suspension system and armor are to be accomplished. Stating that Bursa was amongst the cities standing out for this Project with its potential in industry and the success it achieved in this area in the recent period, Mr. Karadere said, “We aim to include the new generation vehiclesa having maximum rate of local participation in the inventory of our Land Forces with the support of Bursa’s companies that attach special importance to R&D and Design activities”. 

Following the opening remarks, the Workshop continued with the presentations of the representatives of Aselsan, BMC, FNSS, Katmerciler and Otokar companies on the activities of their companies and their companies’ expectations from the supplier companies in respect of the New Generation Armored Vehicles Project. The Workshop ended upon the completion of bilateral business negotiations made with the intense participation of the cluster companies. 

SSM officials made assessments after the Workshop and underlined that the capacities of Bursa companies were notably higher than they expected and pointed out that the bilateral discussions accomplished with 66 companies indicated the willingness of Bursa companies toward taking part in the Project. The officials stated that they were in search of a solution partner rather than a sub-manufacturer in the Project allowing exports after its completion and emphasized that they wished to benefit further from the capabilities of the companies that are members of the BTSO and BASDEC within both the New Generation Light Armored Vehicles Project and other land platforms projects in the upcoming period.