The agreement was signed by the Defense Industry Undersecretary Prof. İsmail Demir and Airbus Board Member Thierry Baril. Within the frame of the agreement designed to expand the scope of industrial partnership and to increase cooperation in Turkey, it is aimed that Airbus increases its purchases from suppliers in Turkey.  Subsequently, the total volume is expected to be approximately $5 billion in purchases from Turkish suppliers between 2020 and 2030.

Delivering a short speech at the signing ceremony, Defense Industry Undersecretary Prof. İsmail Demir said, “We have accomplished very successful projects with Airbus in the past. We wish to develop collaboration areas with Airbus in the coming period. We have set a goal worth $5 billion. It is not easy to reach this goal; but we have confidence, and when the time comes, we expect to exceed this $5 billion goal. As a result of the successes to be achieved in the coming years and the performance of our companies, we are confident that Airbus will invest more in the areas of production, engineering and services in the Turkish industry. This is our commitment to Airbus.”

Prof. Demir also stated that this was a win-win opportunity and that they wanted to regard this agreement as a partnership. Expressing that this agreement will contribute significantly to the development of the Turkish industry, Prof. Demir also stated that this would be an opportunity to work together not only in the field of civil aviation but also in the military field; fighter aircrafts, transportation, helicopters, even space vehicles.

Mr. Thierry Baril, Airbus Board Member said, “The industrial cooperation between Airbus and Turkey as well as the continuation of this cooperation is one of the best examples of a successful partnership. We are proud to bring this cooperation to a new level with our Turkish partners.”

Stating that Airbus’ turnover in Turkey is approximately $24 million in 2004, Mr. Baril noted that in 2017 it rose to $280 million, growing 11-fold.

Mr. Baril: “Turkey’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth is nearly 7 percent. The Turkish aviation/aerospace sector has exceeded GDP growth in the last 10 years. As Airbus, we are very pleased to be part of this growing sector.” 

Turkey has been participating in an important part of the Airbus supply chain for approximately 20 years and has partnerships in many prestigious aircraft programs of Airbus, the A350 XWB being in the first place. Focusing on building a long-term and continuous partnership with Turkey, Airbus aims to make purchases that will exceed over $2 billion from Turkey by 2020. Between the years 2020 and 2030, the total purchase volume is expected to reach $5 billion.