YALTES: “We Are Ready to Compete Fairly with All Companies with Proven Solutions!”

©©Defence Turkey YALTES: “We are Ready to Compete Fairly with All Companies with Proven Solutions!”

Though 100% owned by Thales Group, the entire Defence Turkey: Can we (TNL). Taking the offset YALTES staff is Turkish. In time, having evolved start this interview with liabilities of Thales into from a company structure which conducted a brief introduction of consideration, the the production of designed products as per the YALTES founded in 2002 as initial target during the provided the production documents, YALTES has a Turkish company with a establishment of the transformed into a company structure that makes foreign enterprise (Thales company may be regarded fully indigenous designs, develops indigenous Netherlands/TNL)? Why was as manufacturing equipment solutions for Combat Management Systems (CMS) this company established and developing software and Integrated Platform Management System and what has it achieved for Combat Management (IPMS) for naval platforms, manufactures, delivers over the last 19 years? To Systems. In this stage which and offers maintenance and repair services for what extent has YALTES we may refer to as the initial these solutions. In the special interview we recently achieved initial targets set stage, over 200 consoles and conducted with YALTES General Manager Bülent in the beginning? cabinets (3rd Generation) HAMZAOĞLU, we discuss the milestones of the were manufactured, and Bülent HAMZAOĞLU: aforementioned transformation, R&D activities, various software business YALTES was established in the company’s competitive power in domestic packages were developed 2002 with the partnership and global markets, their ongoing projects and for TNL. The manufactured between the Yalçın Group export activities. products are currently and Thales Netherlands

44 performing successfully CMS development activities YONCA-ONUK Business Defence Turkey: What are over the platforms of as part of the GENESİS and Partnership in relation to your views on YALTES’ more than 20 countries, MİLGEM Projects. different projects designed current organizational including Turkey. (YALTES for Turkmenistan, Qatar and structure, staff and was later assigned as a Within the scope of the Pakistan. These are export employee profile, its center of excellence by TNL MİLGEM Project, YALTES activities. performance and turnover in console designing and developed a solution in the in 2020 which was manufacturing for Combat area of Integrated Platform In the fourth stage, YALTES shadowed by the COVID-19 Management Systems. Management System has been assigned to supply pandemic, and what Design, production and (IPMS), another critical the equipment and sub- expectations and targets qualification activities of mission system. In the first system of the MÜREN-AY are outlined for 2021? 4th Generation consoles two ships of the project, and MÜREN-PREVEZE Bülent HAMZAOĞLU: in different types have after enabling a proven Systems according to Despite the fact, that been conducted by our solution by a partnership a series of contracts it YALTES is a 100% Thales company since 2014. Our with a foreign technology signed with TÜBİTAK since Group Company it has been products related to these company, we accomplished 2016. To that end, the developing indigenous consoles are being utilized an R&D project with our design, production and and national solutions in the inventories of over 10 resources and provided qualification of the entirely with its entirely Turkish countries.) an entirely indigenous indigenous and national and national solution to consoles and cabinets staff and the Ministry Later, in the second stage, the following vessels with of various types were of National Defense’s with the Uzun Ufuk (Long a domestic participation accomplished featuring (MoND) Production Horizon/Integrated rate of around 80%. In this higher level requirements License, Individual and Maritime Surveillance way, YALTES owned an and that would be used in Facility Security and System), GENESİS and indigenous solution, too. submarines in Turkey. AQAP Certificates. Most MİLGEM Projects, YALTES of our designed and launched its activities in With its performance in the Since 2020, YALTES has manufactured solutions Naval Mission Systems first and second stages I been assigned as the sole are regarded as indigenous on a project basis. YALTES mentioned earlier, YALTES authorized representative products even among the played a critical role in took part in the NTPB, in technical support, products of Thales Group. the development of the LST, LDG (Logistic Support spare parts, repair and In this context, a remarkable first national Combat Ship), LHD, DİMDEG modernization if required, part of our turnover is being Management System (Replenishment at Sea regarding the Thales exported to the Thales (CMS) GENESİS (the starting and Combat Support Group Companies’ systems Group. In short, we are point of the GENESİS- Ship, TVEG/TTS, SAT installed in Turkey and in proud to be a member of ADVENT used presently) Boat, BARBAROS Mid-Life the region and started to the Thales Group, which is which was developed Upgrade Project and I-Class deliver services accordingly. among the few technology indigenously by the Turkish Frigate Projects executed Another company, YALTES groups in the world and a Naval Forces. With the for the Turkish Naval BV, was established in company striving to develop Operator Consoles and Forces in both Combat 2021 to be in charge of indigenous and national Cabinets with indigenous Management System the attaché procurements solutions with technological and national design and (CMS) and Integrated particularly for the Turkish and administrative qualification, YALTES Platform Management Naval Forces platforms. advantages while creating started to supply the System (IPMS) areas with Through this type of export opportunities. GENESİS CMS equipment. Defense Industry contracts organizational structure and The organizational By remarkably contributing with companies such as by using YALTES’ industrial structure of YALTES can to the interface software ASELSAN, HAVELSAN, STM, power, we aim to provide be defined as the R&D of critical systems such METEKSAN and ARMELSAN faster and high-quality Engineering Department, as the 3D Radar, Tracking and the contracts it signed services by eliminating which comprises 50% Radar, RAM System and with DEARSAN, SELAH, the intermediaries and of the employees, the Torpedo System and to SEDEF, YONCA-ONUK and to increase customer Production Department CMS software development ADİK Shipyards. Likewise, satisfaction. featuring the 25% of the activities, YALTES we assume roles in the Following the transfer of staff, the Administrative supported the production projects - either completed Yalçın Group’s shares to the Department is composed of this system, and as a or ongoing - in line with Thales Group in 2011, YALTES of the 20% of the employees project made our country the various contracts with has been continuing its and Support Department proud. YALTES provided the ASFAR, ASELSAN, activities as a 100% Thales that contains the remaining over 100,000-man hours HAVELSAN, METEKSAN, Group Company. 5%. YALTES is mainly an of engineering services to DEARSAN Shipyard and

45 engineering company. In Teknopark Istanbul from (such as mechanical successful transformation this sense, 75% of our staff its original headquarters production, assembly and towards an engineering, comprises engineers and where it was founded in sub-unit production) while design and manufacturing the remaining 25% is a 2002. This transfer had the final assembly, test and infrastructure blended blend of supporting staff two goals; the first was to integration activities are with the company’s unique and qualified technicians. decrease the costs incurred executed in our facilities R&D capability? Has your Moreover, by building an due to being located as a and the products are then foreign partner Thales ecosystem in its activity defense industry company delivered. All our technicians Netherlands contributed areas, YALTES also provides in an independent building. have an IPC Certificate, and to this process? added value to domestic The second objective these certifications are Bülent HAMZAOĞLU: As companies in terms of was to benefit from the renewed within the required you have indicated quite design, production, and synergy built at Turkey’s terms. clearly, YALTES evolved into qualification. most modern Teknopark a structure that develops that focuses on defense With over 50 engineers, indigenous products Despite the negative industry and maritime. Thus, YALTES has the capacity and solutions from a impacts of the COVID-19 as a result we have been to develop hardware and company where products pandemic, YALTES among leading companies software with 100,000 man- designed previously concluded 2020 quite in the defense industry and hours yearly. Thanks to the were manufactured successfully and exceeded have had the opportunity eco-system we created, based on the production its targets regarding new to collaborate with small- over 25,000 man-hours documents. The catalyzer orders and sales. In this scale companies with high of engineering support is at this point has been the context, we received new added value, and this has being provided by our sub- growing potential that orders amounting to affected our business quite contractors. In terms of started with the MİLGEM over TRY 150 million and positively. Hereby, I would production, the company Project since 2004 and the achieved sales worth more like to thank particularly has the production capacity consecutive naval projects. than TRY 70 million. In 2021 our Presidency of Defense to manufacture 250 In this context, I extend my is a year where we anticipate Industries (SSB) that took Consoles and Cabinets per gratitude to the Presidency an increase of 60%, with part in the establishment year and this capacity can of Defense Industries (SSB) YALTES sales reaching the of Teknopark Istanbul, be increased in line with the and the Naval Forces level of TRY 120 million. The and the Istanbul Chamber orders received. Command (DzKK) that Q1 sales of TRY 35 million of Commerce, Istanbul Defence Turkey: Different acted as a pioneer and that we achieved indicate Commerce University, STM, from other companies of worked in coordination on that we can reach this HEAŞ and the Teknopark the sector, YALTES stands the MİLGEM project and in target. Surely the tough management team. economic conditions and out as a company founded many other projects that solely for the Naval Forces. the ongoing pandemic Within its premises, which followed thereafter. Without Though it focused on are our challenges. We spans an area of 2,000 such project potential, potential projects (such aim to receive a new order m2, YALTES executes many defense industry as GENESİS and Long of around TRY 100 million design and production companies of various scales Horizon) during the period in 2021. The contract via the implementation of that presently witness great upon its establishment, negotiations we have been modern smart-working achievements in the sector the process that started carrying out signal that we operation methods. We would not be known at all. with the production will achieve this target as have been conducting our of a design completed As YALTES, particularly well… engineering activities by 19 years ago, YALTES during the years 2013-2015 using state-of-the-art tools then built a structure when many ambiguities Defence Turkey: YALTES (Windchill, Ansys, E-plan, capable of indigenous arose regarding the is currently located at Catia, Solidworks, Creo, design and developing MİLGEM Project’s model, the Teknopark Istanbul Rhino, Altium, Jira, Doors, indigenous solutions for we conducted R&D projects Technology Development Primavera, etc.). To that Zone. Could you the Combat Management in the equipment and sub- end, each year a remarkable evaluate the production Systems (CMS) and systems of the Combat budget is allocated to infrastructure and capacity Integrated Platform Management Systems engineering tools to enable of YALTES as well as the Management System and the Integrated Platform the utilization of the latest technologies YALTES (IPMS) of naval platforms Management System and versions. A significant part of employs? and manufacturing such subsequently prepared our our production is conducted products, delivering and company for future projects. by our sub-contractors Bülent HAMZAOĞLU: In the offering maintenance and Some of these R&D projects in line with the technical beginning of 2014, YALTES repair services. What are were funded by TÜBİTAK documentation we provide moved to its premises to your comments on YALTES’ and some were funded by

46 our own resources. In this way, the entirely indigenous IPMS was developed and its certification was completed. The foundations of the transformation of the analogue consoles to digital consoles, digital video management system, power bank applications and single- screen high resolution new generation consoles were laid regarding the Combat Management Systems. ©©Defence Turkey We did not reflect any of these development costs YALTES General Manager Bülent Hamzaoğlu met with İbrahim SÜNNETÇİ- Senior Editor of Defence Turkey Magazine at the YALTES Head Office, İstanbul to our customers and we supported our main Defence Turkey: Research plans within a project such as the development contractor companies and and Development management discipline. and indigenization of shipyards in our country and investments and activities main components for the abroad to build competitive are indispensable in We divide our R&D activities Combat Management prices. maintaining a robust and into two groups. Our System (Monitor, primary target is to carry out As I mentioned earlier, as reliable structure for the Workstation, Keyboard, our R&D activities to keep it positioned YALTES as a Turkish Defense Industry. Joystick, etc.) in line with our existing products up center of excellence in terms The R&D activities that our criteria continue. For to date in line with rapidly of CMS equipment, TNL constitute one of the most instance, together with changing technology and to encourages our company critical conditions of the an OSTİM (Organized retrofit the outdated parts in R&D. In this context, the sector’s sustainability are Industrial Site) company, we in a cost-efficient manner. documents provided by at the same time a crucial jointly developed designs Our secondary target is to TNL, called PFS (Product warranty for becoming a and built a solution that fully global company for the create new or additional Functional Specifications) aligned with the criteria for companies in the sector. solutions regarding that enable all requirements a Joystick that had been Could you enlighten our current products or related to the demanded imported for many years. our readers on YALTES’ activity areas by keeping product are quite precious. Many of our projects employ perspective of R&D, the the market tendencies in Thus, developing a product indigenous joysticks now, yearly share of turnover mind. Within this scope, that fulfils all specifications and the costs have fallen by allocated to R&D and we developed solutions and at which stage and half and there are no export ongoing R&D investments/ with our shareholders how the verification of the license restriction risks, etc. activities? such as the CCTV Systems, product would take place Stability Control solutions, Defence Turkey: are identified. In the end, Bülent HAMZAOĞLU: Cargo and Ballast Control Universities are one of the revealed product is YALTES allocates a minimum Systems, Valve Control the most significant the one fully compatible of 5% of its turnover to R&D System, Boat Structural stakeholders in defense with the requirements and spends this amount Tracking System that would industry enterprises that of the customer. I have in this area. Thales Group function with the IPMS as consider human resources to say that Turkey has a supports R&D investments part of our existing projects. with superior qualities to long path to cover in this as well. However, there are In this way, we increased their main capital. Could area. Unfortunately, the quite significant points the value of our products you talk about YALTES’ documents regarding they check such as the as we provided more cost- approach to cooperating criteria and Technical compliance of investments efficient turn-key solutions with universities, the past Specifications are still with a distinctive target to our main contractors. We cooperation activities being prepared in a generic or by avoiding repetitive rendered systems such as of the company as part format and problems investments. In this regard, Damage Control Software, of University-Industry are being experienced in we prepare yearly Strategic Shipboard Training Systems cooperation and the competition as well as in Technology Plans and we 100% indigenous and projects conducted in the design, development execute R&D activities compatible with customer the last five years in this and delivery stages. approved in line with such demands. Our activities regard?

47 ©©YALTES/THALES.

A shot from the TACTICOS CMS operator console display. TACTICOS CMS is in use by over 20 navies including Turkey

Bülent HAMZAOĞLU: from competition as we the fighting force of the ship Defence Turkey: Could YALTES encourages are confident about the can be maintained. Several you inform us on YALTES’ qualified human resources quality and price levels of decision support software ongoing export activities, in our universities to become our products and services. were integrated with the company’s most stakeholders of defense Our sole reservation at this the tracking and control critical export markets industry companies. To that point is fair competition and functions. No commercial and the share of exports in end, we received scientific evaluation of the compliance product can be called turnover? How does your support from Istanbul of the demanded and an Integrated Platform partnership with Thales Technical University for the proposed solutions. Management System Netherlands (TNL) and the indigenous and national (IPMS). Netherlands-based YALTES development of the IPMS Unfortunately, non- B.V., established in early project I mentioned earlier. proportional solutions reveal Similar conditions apply to 2021, contribute to your This project was also due to less clear specification, the Combat Management activities, also in what way supported by TÜBİTAK. with the products developed Systems. The products in will they contribute? Similarly, we have been especially for IPMS this area must be resilient to Bülent HAMZAOĞLU: executing certain activities being offered to military survive under challenging YALTES conducts its export with an academician platforms. However, while environmental conditions activities via two main paths. from Gedik University for commercial products are for long periods of time. The first group consists of a project which I cannot the labor-saving tracking The success reached by export activities conducted speak about in detail due to and control systems that YALTES in this domain along with export confidentiality. aim to maintain the secure with the 450-500 main navigation of ships, military equipment components, projects signed by Turkish Defence Turkey: What is products are the Platform which the company has companies. The export your evaluation on YALTES’ Management Systems that been providing since 2002 projects carried out with current competitive directly affect the combat to platforms of nearly 30 DEARSAN in Turkmenistan, power in the domestic and power of the ship and enable countries, is our greatest with YONCA-ONUK in international markets? maneuver and stop control. assurance. I would like Qatar and with ASFAT and Such military products are to underline once again HAVELSAN companies Bülent HAMZAOĞLU: All designed according to the that we are ready to fairly in Pakistan are the best projects YALTES provided damage control concepts compete with all companies examples of this group. We products to have been won known as internal combat. with proven solutions on believe that with our proven after an intense competition Thanks to these systems, this scale. products we will be taking process. We do not refrain

48 part in all projects to be won YALTES B.V. was Bülent HAMZAOĞLU: with the cooperation by the Turkish companies in established for the attaché Thales Group companies between YALTES and TNL this field. procurements executed signed quite extensive and they were delivered to for our Naval Forces. As you contracts for the 2nd Lot the end-user along with Our second group of know, this procurement five K130 Corvettes to be the sea acceptance tests. export activities is the channel is employed built for the German Naval YALTES software engineers one we conduct via TNL. for rapid procurements Forces (in 2018), for five T31 exerted an engineering The TACTICOS Combat in emergencies. There Frigates to be constructed effort of over 15,000 man- Management System are many intermediary for the United Kingdom’s hours for this project. (CMS) Consoles and some companies established Royal Navy (in 2019) and As a continuation of this of their related components to that end. However, for four F126 Frigates to project, once again as TNL’s developed by TNL that these are the companies be built again for the sub-contractor, YALTES are being used by many established for commercial German Naval Forces (in will be conducting the country’s platforms are purposes that merely sell 2020). In this context, replacement of the existing supplied by YALTES. and purchase goods. Thales Netherlands, Thales outdated cruise radar and Therefore, all over the world Though, with its industrial Germany and Thales UK helicopter control radar in we take roles in any project power and structure that have been conducting the ship and the integration that involves TNL. Different enable the delivery and the production, supply of combat management areas of cooperation with launch of the products and integration of the systems as turn-key TNL emerged in the recent and technical support mission systems of all three supply, development and period and these are such as the execution of platforms. Within this scope, integration activities. The linked with the renewal of required adjustments/ as YALTES, we have been supply of the radars has outdated, old-generation calibrations, YALTES aims providing the consoles, been completed and the consoles in existing to render the smooth sub-units of the consoles Factory Acceptance stage platforms and new sensor acceptance process of the and certain other electro- has been reached within integration projects. This is a equipment and reduce the mechanical products for this scope. The integration very promising area as every rate of return. Moreover, the mission systems. Taking activities are being country must keep existing a price advantage will part in such projects with conducted in parallel. platforms operational be achieved as the quite high technical levels even if they fail to develop intermediary companies and specifications is a As TNL and YALTES our most new projects. Since 2019, are eliminated. YALTES business success for YALTES remarkable achievement in we have been conducting and YALTES B.V. have but it is also an opportunity the Bangladesh projects has such activities for the been assigned as the sole for the company to elevate been the demonstration of Bangladesh Naval Forces’ authorized representative its technological level. We a modernization solution Flagship including on-site to provide technical use the experience we for the first versions of integration. support, spare parts, gain in such projects in TACTICOS, for the first repair and when required our domestic projects and time. Modernization of the The export share of these modernization services for in the export projects we TACTICOS CMS used by projects in our turnover Thales Group companies’ realize with our domestic over 20 navies including accounts for 60% as of systems in Turkey, and the companies as well. Turkey is ahead of us with 2021, 35% of this is from related announcements critical business potential. export activities we have were sent to all relevant In the Bangladesh Naval Though countries fail to been conducting with units. Forces Flagship BNS develop new projects due domestic companies and Bangabandhu Project, to economic challenges, the remaining 25% is the Defence Turkey: Could we took part as TNL’s sub- they still wish to effectively result of our exports via TNL. you inform our readers contractor and worked as use the existing platforms Of course, the output we on the United Kingdom’s part of the modernization they own. In this sense, the witnessed this year is a rare Royal Navy’s Type 31 of the TACTICOS CMS, modernization projects size based on our two major Class (T31) Frigate since 2018. As one of the that are cost-efficient and projects, the PN MİLGEM Project conducted stages of this project, all that can be implemented and the T31 Frigate Project jointly with Thales design, manufacturing and rapidly are being regarded we carried out with TNL. Netherlands, German integration activities related as a crucial solution. For Maintaining our export share Naval Forces’ 2nd Lot to the modernization of the YALTES, the Bangladesh in our turnover at the level K130 Corvette and F126 2nd Generation consoles in project has been a very of 35-40% is our long-term Frigate Projects and the the ship were successfully notable experience for target. The export projects modernization activities completed by YALTES. In the the accomplishment of an of our domestic companies on the Bangladesh Naval second stage, the migration integration role in a global and shipyards bear great Forces’ Flagship (BNS of the CMS software to new project for the first time. importance in this regard. Bangabandhu [F25])? hardware was achieved

49 So, comparing these two solutions does not make much sense. Both systems are first-class solutions compatible with the latest technology in the world and with the operational requirements. I believe that both will reach the end-user either through a smooth competition process or through cooperation, depending on the market’s status. TNL is not only a CMS provider, but also a company that manufactures state-of-the-art sensors particularly for naval platforms. The utilization of TNL sensors in HAVELSAN’s solutions in the international ©©YALTES market will actually create a A computer generated image of the PIKET 3000 IPMS. Developed by YALTES, the competitive alternative. PİKET3000 IPMS has also been integrated on a KILIÇ-I Class FPB of the Turkish Navy Defence Turkey: YALTES Defence Turkey: Can Bülent HAMZAOĞLU: As I new generation consoles takes part as HAVELSAN’s you evaluate YALTES’ mentioned in my previous as part of this solution. The subcontractor in the capabilities regarding answer, used by over 20 serial production process GENESİS G-Class CMS the TACTICOS Combat navies across the world, continues, and there are over Modernization project, Management System TACTICOS is the most 50 consoles functioning in TNL’s subcontractor in that has been used for extensive solution that has the navies of 10 countries. the Long Horizon Project many years by over 20 proven its effectiveness. We participated in BL2’s and the Long Horizon countries including The first two versions of software development Fusion Center and System Turkey? Presently, which this solution are no longer activities and successfully Integration Project. What version of the system is being developed. Especially completed and delivered would you like to say being installed to the the first version is outdated the business package about the latest status platforms (for instance in today’s technology. assigned to YALTES by of these projects? What in the T31 Project)? Which Within this scope, TNL built exerting 50,000 man-hours kind of maintenance/ activities are being a solution compatible with of software development support activities has conducted by YALTES in all platforms and the first effort through the Scrum YALTES been conducting terms of the software and successful implementation Team we formed. for these Projects? Is there equipment of the former has been accomplished. any modernization activity version TACTICOS CMS in By assuming critical TNL (formerly Hollandse occurring for products which have been in use for use? In YALTES’ road map tasks in the software and Signaalapparaten-HSA), has many years? for the next ten years, equipment aspects of the been in close and intense where do you position the contact with the Turkish modernization solution, Bülent HAMZAOĞLU: activities to be conducted Naval Forces for many years, YALTES became the Operation and maintenance and capabilities to be either by directly conducting most crucial actor for all of both projects are being acquired regarding modernization projects in system and sensor sales or the modernization of executed by HAVELSAN this regard. TACTICOS’ latest providing main elements the former version of under the supervision of version BL2 is still being of the software with its TACTICOS CMS and the Turkish Navy Research used in many new vessel license during the GENESIS for supporting its new Center Command (TNRC-C/ construction projects and development stages. As version? Could you ARMERKOM). HAVELSAN is this version will be used in YALTES, we have been compare TACTICS CMS’ maintaining these systems the T31 Project as well. As providing products and new version with the by using the spare parts YALTES, we completed the services to HAVELSAN for GENESİS ADVENT CMS, supplied as part of these design and qualification the GENESİS-ADVENT and which your company is projects. We are ready to activities of the MOC Mk4 to TNL for the TACTICOS. quite familiar with? provide support for both

50 YALTES’ products and ©©Defence Turkey Thales Group’s products if requested. Thales France (TDMS-Fr) assigned YALTES and YALTES B.V. as the sole support provider for the existing Electronic Warfare Systems and Radars as part of the Long Horizon Project and we will send the authorization documents to the relevant authorities as soon as possible. I can say that we are prepared to perform activities on outdated solutions, particularly regarding the equipment produced by Foreground - an operator console (OPCON) to be used at TCG Derya DİMDEG vessel’s YALTES. Combat Information Center (CIC), background - five large LCD displays to be used in the PIKET 3000 IPMS to be installed on TCG Derya. DİMDEG will feature two separate CICs. The first one is for combat management purposes, the second one with numerous Defence Turkey: Phase II OPDESKs (they are commercial products rather than military standard OPCONs) can identification activities serve as a Joint Operations Command Center or in case of a natural disaster as a Natural for extending the Long Disaster Management Center Horizon System to cover the Black Sea were that contain the GENESİS implementation with this Within the scope of IPMS, conducted by the Turkish ADVENT CMS in terms of platform. As YALTES, we for the 1st and 2nd Ships, we Naval Forces Command CMS consoles and IPMS updated the ADVENT and conducted technological (TNFC) in 2015. Have any equipment/technology? OPCONs and TACONs cooperation with a Dutch concrete steps been For instance, as far as we used in the MİLGEM 3 company that I mentioned taken regarding the Long know, since the firing/ and 4 ships to support the earlier. The PİKET3000 Horizon Phase II/ Black control functions of the digital video distribution. System we developed Sea? HARPOON Guided Missile Moreover, the sub-system as YALTES has been can be executed by all the cabinets of both platforms designed with advanced Bülent HAMZAOĞLU: As operator consoles at the were designed to be technology in line with YALTES we conducted Combat Operation Center/ compatible with GENESIS the current technological activities in the Black Sea COC on the MİLGEM 3-4, and ADVENT. In this way, the developments. For instance, for the equipment of the the third and fourth ships ADVENT transformation in in the first two ships the Long Horizon System’s will not contain an AN/ the 3rd Ship, and the direct data network was 1 Gbps, backup operation center. SWG-1A Operator Console application of ADVENT we increased it to 10 Gbps Regarding the additional featured by the first two in the 4th Ship could be in the ships that followed. solutions considered for the ships. conducted smoothly. We elevated the video Black Sea coast, I believe we distribution to HD resolution Bülent HAMZAOĞLU: As can provide support in the The consoles designed from SD resolution. Our you know, utilization of integration to the present by YALTES were either IT hardware has more GENESIS was planned for system, yet we have not manufactured or aligned capacity and speed. the MİLGEM 1 and MİLGEM received any request. with the Electronic Warfare, Retrofit solutions were 2 and GENESIS-ADVENT’s Sonar and Special Mission prepared to implement Defence Turkey: As for the utilization was planned for Systems for many defense such developments on the first two ships under the the third and fourth ships. industries companies, in previous ships as well, and MİLGEM Project, in line The third ship was launched addition to the GENESİS they were made available with the contract signed with GENESİS CMS in and ADVENT applications. for utilization according in 2015, you have been line with the ADVENT In this way, eliminating to the ship maintenance assigned for the supply development schedule the need to use different periods. of the CMS equipment and its harmonization with equipment in the Combat and IPMS (PİKET 3000) of ADVENT was scheduled to Operation Center (COC)’s Defence Turkey: Which the third and fourth ships. a later date. The 4th ship layout and arrangement, type of tasks/work What are the differences was launched to service and logistical compatibility packages have you between the first two with ADVENT. YALTES took was enabled for the end- assumed for the MİLGEM-5 ships and the MİLGEM 3-4 part in the first ADVENT user. TCG İstanbul Frigate?

51 take part in this project which is Turkey’s greatest export project by providing such intense and mission- critical products and we are constantly working for the project’s success.

Defence Turkey: Which responsibilities have you assumed as part of the Ufuk TVEG (Test & Training Ship), Anadolu LHD, TCG Derya DİMDEG and BARBAROS Mid-Life Upgrade (MLU) Projects and which deliveries have you been conducting?

The Computer Generated Image of PN MİLGEM /JINNAH Class Bülent HAMZAOĞLU: We have provided our Could you inform us on as supply packages until IPMS according to the PİKET3000 IPMS solution your test and delivery the end of 2021, in line with demands and utilization for the TCG Ufuk TVEG as schedules? Will the last- our contract. concepts of Pakistan’s the subcontractor of STM minute change made in Navy. We are launching the and the sea acceptance the weapon systems (such Defence Turkey: Which manufacturing process of tests of the project have as MIDAS instead of Mk- responsibilities and our Combat Management been completed. Consoles 41 and GÖKDENİZ CIWS work packages have System hardware. Our related to Mission Systems instead of Phalanx) and you assumed, or will design activities continue have also been provided to YALTES assume as part sensor systems (CENK-S for the Sonar Consoles ASELSAN for this project. of Pakistan’s JINNAH 3BAR instead of SMART-S and Cabinets in line with Class and Ukraine’s ADA We delivered a wide range Mk2) of the ship effect the new requirements, the Class Corvette Projects of Combat Management the design and layout of components we design will within the scope of ADA System hardware and the CMS and operator be qualified according Class Corvettes export subsystems for the TCG consoles? to high level criteria. activities? Anadolu as HAVELSAN’s Integration activities of Bülent HAMZAOĞLU: In subcontractor. This will the commercial-off-the- the I-Class Frigate project, Bülent HAMZAOĞLU: In be the first project where shelf product Navigation YALTES takes part as the the PN MİLGEM (JINNAH our New Generation Assistants were assigned IPMS provider under the Class) Project, we signed Consoles will be used. to YALTES as a separate sub-contractor STM. contracts with ASAT, The installation of the work package by ASELSAN. Combat Management HAVELSAN, ASELSAN products to the ships has Our contract negotiations System (CMS) hardware and METEKSAN. In this started, and we are looking on the Electronic Warfare is not included in our work framework, we are initially forward to their activation. System Console with share. We will be delivering adapting our PİKET3000 We have designed and ASELSAN are about to be all IPMS-related hardware solution as part of manufactured the STOP finalized. We are proud to Consoles for the SEDEF Shipyard as part of this project as well.

In the DİMDEG Project, we provide our PİKET3000 IPMS solution as SEFİNE Shipyard’s subcontractor. The stage regarding the adaptation of the solution ©©YALTES has been completed in this Bridge Console of the PİKET 3000 IPMS. The same console has been already integrated on project and we have reached MİLGEM Corvettes and TCG Ufuk TVEG, as well as being integrated on PN MİLGEM, I-Class the CDR phase. We will also Frigate TCG İstanbul and TCG Derya DİMDEG supply the Bridge Console,

52 Electronic Chart Table and Overhead Panel to Aselsan for the same project. We are at the production stage in this regard. Our CMS hardware, which we will provide as HAVELSAN’s subcontractor has been manufactured and their preliminary tests have been completed. The acceptance process and deliveries will take place in May.

Defence Turkey: YALTES was going to realize the integration of STIR 1.8 Firing Control Radars (used in ships) to the GENESİS ADVENT CMS in ©©Defence Turkey the BARBAROS MLU/YÖM Project but a decision was Bülent HAMZAOĞLU introduced the new generation OPCON developed for PREVEZE Class Submarines within the scope of the MÜREN-PREVEZE Project made to use ASELSAN’s dual band AKREP AKR-D completed its qualification. console, local firing panel conditions. Our starting Fire Control Radars We focused on building and interface units) for point then was based on instead. Is there any the most compatible submarines as TÜBİTAK’s the experience we gained change in YALTES’ work solution by identifying subcontractor as part of in surface platforms and our package in this regard? the contributions and the MÜREN-AY Project confidence in our capability Bülent HAMZAOĞLU: input of the Turkish Navy and integrated these of developing indigenous Our work share in STIR Research Center Command products to submarines. and national products. Integration has been (TNRC-C/ARMERKOM), This success paved the way To date, systems directly excluded from the contract, End Users and HAVELSAN for your assignment in the manufactured abroad, or but we are delivering representatives at every MÜREN-PREVEZE Project. foreign solutions produced additional hardware and stage of the design phase. Could you inform us on the domestically through services in this context. features of the Submarine license and production The console is comprised All our deliveries related Operator Console that you packages were employed of a 32-inch single- to the first ship have developed and tested for for our submarines. screen with 4K resolution been completed and our the AY Class Submarines Like we did in the New and a 15.6-inch second production activities for the and on the latest status of Generation Console monitor. Its security has the design, production and second ship are in progress. design activities, we been enhanced featuring test activities conducted achieved the participation Defence Turkey: Could you TEMPEST architecture. as part of the MÜREN- of all stakeholders for the give information about Its power supply was PREVEZE Project? products we develop your 32-inch single-screen place outside of the indigenously, for the Bülent HAMZAOĞLU: As I new type operator console console for more practical first time. In this way, the stated at the beginning of used in the Anadolu LHD console maintenance and perspectives and input the interview, the fourth and BARBAROS MLU operation. All the console of TÜBİTAK, TNRC-C/ stage in YALTES’ history Projects? power requirements are ARMERKOM and end started with submarine fulfilled redundantly with users were reflected in Bülent HAMZAOĞLU: systems. Compared to the central uninterrupted our designs. In the design We accomplished the relatively small content power sources, as are the stage, both our customer development activities we provided in MÜREN- two cabinets also used in TÜBİTAK’s and TNRC-C/ of the MOC Mk4 console AY, we began with a the IPMS by YALTES. ARMERKOM’s and the end- and by blending the quite large work share in user’s additional demands experience we gained and Defence Turkey: YALTES’ the MÜREN-PREVEZE. were applied to the design the demands of our Naval activities are not limited We won the MÜREN- regardless of the costs. The Forces, we designed the to surface vessels, you PREVEZE tender with a most critical additional New Generation Console developed your first very competitive price demand was the addition with our own resources and products (operator under fully competitive

54 of a cooling alternative for ©©Defence Turkey the consoles to be cooled with water according to the technical specifications. In this way, in an event where water-cooling fails in the submarine, the consoles would be able to cool with air and continue their performance.

The designs of five different units have been qualified after passing rather challenging environment YALTES currently has an annual production capacity of 250 Multifunction Operator conditions, climatic Consoles (MOCs) and here you can see different types of MOCs that the company and electromagnetic continues to produce for different projects compatibility tests. I wish to proudly emphasize Bülent HAMZAOĞLU: Since launched our R&D activities available for both surface that we achieved the First YALTES designs the IPMS regarding the additional and submarine platforms. Test Success in all tests. and Combat Management control requirements We believe that our The factor underlying System (CMS) solutions in a (automatic ballast control, cabinets with reduced this result is the seasoned scalable and customizable battery tracking system, sizes and lighter volumes experience of our engineers way for different platforms, diving control system, due to the limited space and their superb utilization we are ready to take part in steering wheel control, etc.) in submarines will make of advanced engineering all surface and submarine of the submarine platform a difference in the Turkish tools. During the design platform projects. Surely, systems and the selection Type Assault Ship Project. of all products, global our R&D activities are in of the hardware to be These cabinets have passed and local analyses, and progress constantly to used particularly in limited all related tests. Computational Fluid update our products based spaces. We aim to complete Dynamics (CFD) analyses on the latest technologies. the technical solution and As part of our new product were conducted and launch the prototypes after line, Navigation and potential weaknesses Our surface applications are establishing the operational Communication Systems, were identified. Thus, ready as our IPMS solution concept with experts in the we aim to offer new the required measures can be utilized in all projects field. alternatives to our defense were adopted for their ranging from the MRTP24 industry companies and production and testing. size to the DİMDEG Project. Our Combat Management shipyards in the integration Regarding MİLDEN, we System hardware is of navigation assistants and All products of the Project’s communication systems. first ship were delivered Keep following our activities and their acceptance in a in this field. ground-based test system was finalized. The sea Defence Turkey: You have acceptance tests of the been assigned to the first ship are planned to be RAKAS MUKAS, HİSAR completed by the end of and HERİKKS Projects 2021, and we plan to deliver regarding Operator the second ship’s hardware Consoles. What would this year. you like to say about the activities and deliveries Defence Turkey: Which you have accomplished in roles can YALTES assume these projects? in the Turkish Type Assault Ship, TF-2000 Bülent HAMZAOĞLU: The Anti-Air Warfare Frigate RAKAS MUKAS Project and National Submarine has been completed and (MİLDEN) Projects which delivered successfully. are to be launched in the ©©YALTES We have not received any upcoming period? Submarine Operator Console negative feedback so far.

55 Bülent HAMZAOĞLU: As YALTES, we plan to display our products at IDEF ‘21 through interactive presentations and digital material instead of directly demonstrating them at the booth due to the pandemic and in accordance with digital transformation trends.

Despite the limited participation, we consider this fair as an opportunity to build new connections with the members of our sector and our guests. I believe that socializing again after ©©Defence Turkey this pandemic process that MÜREN-AY Operator Consoles has lasted for over a year will make us feel better, and of The serial production and gain more importance. on developing national course by adhering to the delivery of the consoles Therefore, we are carrying solutions and for the distancing measures. as part of the HİSAR and out activities to render our solutions developed within This year, we set up our HERİKKS Projects are in solutions secure against the Thales Group. booth next to Thales, thus, progress. We are proud cyber threats. we will strive to blend the to constantly receive Defence Turkey: What are universal power behind additional orders from Secure remote access as your comments on YALTES’ us with our indigenous ASELSAN. We aim to take part of the IPMS will monitor vision for the next decade? and national structure. On part in projects where the maintenance and repair Bülent HAMZAOĞLU: that note, the message YALTES will be entirely in of the system and remotely YALTES identified its we wish to convey will be charge of the design. control the platform systems and enable vision for the next ten “Universal Technology, Defence Turkey: Can you preventive or predictive years as follows: Becoming National Solution”. We inform our readers on the maintenance. We launched a preferred supplier in believe that displaying the capabilities and ongoing our activities to integrate competitive conditions Thales dimension of us has projects and activities of with the network enabled in CMS hardware and a positive effect especially YALTES in Cyber Security, communication systems sub-systems, IPMS with our foreign customers, one of the main activity that were recently acquired and Navigation and and over the last 19 years areas of your company? by our Naval Forces. Communication Systems we have successfully integration areas by established our indigenous Bülent HAMZAOĞLU: As For our Combat following and implementing and national structure in the you know, cyber security Management Systems, the latest technological Turkish Defense Industry. is one of the main business we provided equipment developments and taking areas of the Thales Group featuring TEMPEST with part in our country’s Defence Turkey: Would you and it is the leader in New Generation Consoles. Defense Industry export like to add a message to the market. The cyber We continue our activities projects with our national our readers as we conclude security requirements for building solutions that projects by providing our interview? are constantly increasing will track network traffic, indigenous and national Bülent HAMZAOĞLU: I regarding the solutions state-of-the-art solutions give alerts depending on want to thank Defence we provide. According to that fulfill user demands. operator behavior changes Turkey magazine, one of our the realities the pandemic and secure the systems. sector’s pioneers, for letting taught us, our behaviors Defence Turkey: What me introduce YALTES once and business methods will We continue to inform would you like to say about again to our stakeholders in change significantly very our main contractors and YALTES’ participation in the defense industry and we soon. Remote working and related authorities that the IDEF ‘21 Fair and its wish you success secure remote access will we are ready to work both related agenda?