CONTENTS

4 Message from General Necdet Özel, 28 From SSI / Latif Aral ALİŞ 60 SPECIAL COVERAGE / Birol TEKİNCE, Vehbi TUNCA Commander of the Turkish Armed Forces, We Must Develop a Planned and Programmed Turkish Air Forces Command Answers on the Occasion of the Centenary of the Export Strategy Questions on F-4 and RF-4 Aircraft Battle of Çanakkale 30 INTERVIEW / Ümit BAYRAKTAR 64 SPECIAL COVERAGE / Ümit BAYRAKTAR 6 Message from Colonel James Burns, TAI Making Steady Progress in the ASELSAN Marks 40 Years in Business with Australian Defence Attaché to Turkey: HÜRKUŞ Project Radar and Electronic Warfare Technology Centre Forging Nations and Friendships 34 IDEX 2015 SPECIAL COVERAGE 68 SPECIAL COVERAGE / K. Burak CODUR, 8 Message from Colonel Peter Wood, Şebnem ASİL, Ümit BAYRAKTAR, Vehbi TUNCA New Zealand’s Defence Attaché to Turkey: Birol TEKİNCE, Vehbi TUNCA With the Powerpack Development Project, From the Uttermost Ends of the Earth ■ Turkish Defence Sector Passes IDEX with Success Sector Gains a New Player 10 DEFENCE NEWS ■ ASELSAN’s Active IDEX Schedule 70 SPECIAL COVERAGE / Şebnem ASİL, Vehbi TUNCA ■ ASELSAN’s Turnover Again Exceeds ■ BMC Returns SASAD Expands Cooperative Activities with Italy $1 Billion ■ ERATAŞ Shields Draw Attention 74 SPECIAL COVERAGE / Şebnem ASİL ■ TDA Flies the Flag in Germany ■ FNSS Maintains Warm Relations and Seeks FNSS MILDESIGN ■ With the ATDM, Turkey Attains New Business Opportunities Supports Designers of the Future Ammunition Testing Capabilities ■ Otokar’s Modular Solutions Appeals to a 78 ANALYSIS / M. Emre YAZICI ■ ROKETSAN Maintains Warm Relations Broad Range of Customers Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Systems Past, with Australia ■ Öztiryakiler Becomes an Indispensable Brand Present and Future ■ Request for Information Issued for TF-X in the Region Dr. Ahmet KULE, Pilot, Chief Superintendent ■ SSM Publishes Its 2014 Activity Report ■ Sur International Concludes Exhibition 2nd Degree ■ SASAD Workshops Now Addressing with Orders 80 EVENTS / Birol TEKİNCE Intellectual Property Rights ■ STM Aims to Expand Depth and Breadth ■ Interview: Lieutenant General Ing. Milan ■ First TAI-Produced F-35 Centre Fuselage ■ ROKETSAN Makes a Difference Maxim, Chief of the Defence Staff of the Takes to the Skies ■ Yonca-Onuk Provides Excellent Regional Solutions Armed Forces of the Slovak Republic: ■ TÜBİTAK Initiates Stage II of Passive Emission ■ T-Kalıp in Pursuit of Long-Term Partnerships “We will Find the Common Ground in Extending Detection System ■ Eurojet Displayed its Strength at IDEX before IDEF Our Mutual Cooperation” 18 INTERVIEW / Ümit BAYRAKTAR, ■ Kelvin Hughes Seeks Deeper Ties with Turkey ■ Bulgarian National Day Celebrated in Ankara K. Burak CODUR 52 SPECIAL COVERAGE / Oykun EREN ■ Celebrating Bangladesh’s National and Serdar Demirel, Deputy Undersecretary A Look at IDEX 2015 from Land Systems’ Independence Day (Platform Projects) at the SSM: Perspective ■ The Anniversary of the Chilean Air Forces “The Path to High Export Turnover Lies 58 SPECIAL COVERAGE / K. Burak CODUR was Celebrated for the First Time in Turkey in the Production of High-Quality and New Objectives for ASELSAN Following ■ Pakistan’s National Day Celebrated; Competitive Products” Completion of DAKA Mutual Trade of “$1 Billion” Indicated 60 18

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Military Science & Publisher & Managing Editor Editor, Strategy & Development Editor-In-Chief Intelligence / MSI Ümit BAYRAKTAR M. Emre YAZICI Ferda BAYRAKTAR [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] MSI Turkish Defence Review General Coordinator ADVISORY BOARD Yerel Süreli Yayın Editor Naile BAYRAKTAR Dr. K. Burak CODUR Prof. Dr. Süleyman TOLUN April (Nisan) 2015 / Issue: 09 @ n.bayraktar milscint.com [email protected] Prof. Dr. Adil YÜKSELEN ISSN: 2149-2514 General Coordinator / ANKARA Prof. Dr. Okan ADDEMİR 2 www.milscint.com Art Director Brigadier General (R) Hüsamettin ESEN Prof. Dr. Zahit MECİTOĞLU Şebnem AKGÖL KARA [email protected] Prof. Dr. Mikdat KADIOĞLU @ s.kara milscint.com Prof. Dr. Gonca COŞKUN Business Development Coordinator Assoc. Prof. Dr. Yıldırım SALDIRANER News Desk Şebnem ASİL Asst. Prof. Dr. Burak ÇINAR Vehbi TUNCA [email protected] [email protected] Asst. Prof. Dr. Ş. Hakan ATAPEK

Coordinator, Editorial Board International Relations Advisor & Marketing Doğaçhan HEPYÜKSELEN [email protected] Dr. Savaş BİÇER Birol TEKİNCE [email protected] [email protected] Legal Advisor Asst. Prof. Dr. Hakan KIZILARSLAN

Translation Services UMSA Ltd. Şti. Adına Sahibi Published monthly by Nova Translation Ltd. ÜMİT BAYRAKTAR UMSA Prodüksiyon Ltd. Tepe Prime A Blok / A-26 Eskişehir Yolu 9. km Cankaya, Ankara Telephone: +90 312 428 04 84 Cover Photograph: Mutlukent Mah. Angora Cad. For subscription E-mail: [email protected] TurAF No: 184/27 Beysukent Çankaya Please contact: +90 312 225 4173 Web: www.nova.com.tr/en/ Ankara TURKEY or [email protected]

MSI Turkish Defence Review - April 2015 www.milscint.com ADVERTISERS Page TurAF’s Initiative should be Carried Further ■ TAI ...... Cover Wrap ■ FNSS...... Back Cover he unfortunate F-4 accidents at the end of February and quency of the press tours it organizes at its air bases. As we ■ Otokar...... Inside Front Cover the beginning of March resulted in the martyrdom of all know, such activities have the effect of increasing interest ■ SSI...... Inside Back Cover six of our servicemen, and sparked a series of debates in aviation, especially among the young. ■ Meteksan Defence Ind...... First Page T ■ NEP Office...... Last Page centring on the F-4s and their pilots. In just a few days after It should not be forgotten that similar press activities were the second accident, , Turkish Air Forces (TurAF) Command initiated in the past by the Undersecretariat for Defence In- ■ AYESAŞ...... 17 held a press conference on March 11, along with a press tour dustries (SSM) with the goal of promoting the Turkish de- ■ FNSS...... 57 of the Combatant Air Force and Air Missile Defence Com- fence and aerospace sector, and although these activities ■ Holoarc...... 73 mand, as well as 1st Air Supply and Maintenance Centre were later discontinued, they were actually quite popular. ■ IDEF...... 79 Command in Eskişehir. ■ Naval Systems Seminar 2015...... 85 It is particularly important that such press activities are During the press tour, members of the press were given ■ Nurol Makina ...... 25 planned and carried out not only by TurAF, but all units within clear and tangible information on the F-4E and RF-4E aircraft ■ ROKETSAN...... 29 TAF. It has been observed recently that the Air Forces and ■ involved in the accidents, and about the resignation of pilots Saab...... 13 Naval Forces are becoming more active in such communi- ■ Samsun Yurt Savunma...... 11 at the TurAF in recent years. When considered independent cation-oriented activities. ■ Sarsılmaz ...... 27 of its timing, this press conference can be hailed as a suc- ■ Sheraton ...... 83 cessful public relations event in terms of the level of infor- There is another important point that needs to be empha- ■ TEI...... 15 mation shared with the general public. However, to ensure sized. Even when the two parties –TAF and the press – man- ■ Yonca-Onuk Shipyard...... 67 appropriate and effective public communication in the future, age to come together, it is not uncommon that the focus is diverted towards other subjects, or certain important mes- ■ Anova...... 39 we believe that additional measures are needed. We will sages be overlooked. For example, in an event involving high- ■ Ayyazılım...... 43 consider these measures from two different standpoints. level participation (such as the President of the Republic, the ■ BİTES...... 16 First, we would like to examine how the information shared Prime Minister, Commander of TAF or the Force Command- ■ NOVA Power ...... 54 during the TurAF press conference was perceived by the for- ■ ers), the press will naturally focus on these attendants, while ONUK-BG...... 49 eign press. Unfortunately, the news published in the foreign ■ TDI News...... 72 the messages given during these events generally pass un- press following the press tour continued to describe the flaws ■ TTAF...... 76 noticed. For this reason, it is necessary to organize events ■ Üçgen Yazılım...... 33 and shortcomings in the training provided by TurAF. How- ever, we should not interpret this as a product of “malicious and activities focusing on specific subjects, such as “The Air- intent” or “an inability to understand the actual situation, no Air Combat Capabilities of the Turkish Armed Forces”. Such 52 matter how clearly it is explained”. It would instead be more activities will not only deepen the knowledge of press repre- accurate to interpret such coverage as an illustration of the sentatives concerning the relevant subjects, but also improve “necessity to conduct informative communication activities the quality of the communication between TAF and the press. more frequently, to be able to obtain more successful out- Although such changes will take time to yield results, the comes with regards to public communication”. We will visit consensus and mutual understanding that will eventually be this subject later. reached will be of benefit to both parties. Second , we need to examine the retirement date of the RF- You might ask “why ?”. 4E aircraft. Despite TurAF stating clearly that this decision Let us be frank about one particular point. During these types was taken much earlier, due to the sequence of the events, of events, one can often witness certain members of the the general view prevailing among the public is that the de- press displaying an attitude which can be summed up as cision to retire the aircraft was taken after the accidents.. Had “let’s get over with this as soon as possible and get out of TurAF regularly provided information about its aircraft in- here”, while the personnel hosting the press display a similar ventory on its Internet site, together with the expected dates “let’s get rid of them quickly so that we can get back to work” for each model to go out of service, current public opinion attitude. We are certain that increasing the level, frequency that the “RF-4Es were being retired as a result of the acci- and quality of the communication between the two parties dents”, would have no foundation. –The fact that General will help resolve such problems. For those who would like a Abidin Ünal’s explanations about the existence of such a plan concrete example, just think about Teoman Korkmaz, who is came after the accidents, had the inevitable effect of dimin- a successful defence correspondent for over 17 years with a ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE ishing the plausibility of the official statement. We believe carrier at the Turkish Radio and Television Corporation (TRT) Mutlukent Mah. that, today, inventory entry and retirement dates of aircraft Angora Cad. No: 184/27 lasting for over 23 years. We will conclude this editorial by is not a “classified” issue. Information regarding the struc- Beysukent Cankaya drawing attention to two important topics that are covered in Ankara TURKEY tural lifespan of aircraft, as well as the average number of this issue of MSI Turkish Defence Review. On the 100th an- Phone : +90 312 225 41 73 flight hours of each air force, is fully known by subject ex- Fax : +90 312 225 41 74 niversary of the Battle of Çanakkale, we would like to share perts, and is usually available on Internet. For example, the with our readers a personal message from General Necdet Military Science & Intelligence (MSI) Turkish structural lifespan of the F-35 is expected to be 8,000 hours, 3 Defence Review is published by UMSA Co. Ltd. in Özel, Commander of the Turkish Armed Forces, as well as and so unless there are additional activities to extend the air- accordance with the laws of the Republic of Turkey. messages from the military attachés of Australia and New The name and publishing rights of MSI Turkish craft’s structural lifespan, or unless an increase in the air- Zealand, expressing their country’s thoughts and sentiments Defence Review are the sole property of UMSA Co. craft’s frequency of use due to an operation, it will be possible Ltd. All rights are reserved related to photographs, 100 years after this historical event. maps, illustrations and images. References and to predict the aircraft’s retirement date. In addition, on the occasion of the meetings held for the first citations may be made on the condition that the In the light of the above, let us now go back to the first stand- original source is appropriately cited. Responsibility point we mentioned earlier. The provided example above is time between the Chiefs of General Staff of Turkey and Slo- for the published articles belongs to their authors, vakia since Slovakia’s foundation, the April issue of MSI Turk- while responsibility for the advertisements belongs a clear demonstration that both parties (Turkish Armed to the owners. The opinions or claims made in the Forces and the press) need to work together like a team, for ish Defence Review features a special interview with the articles and advertisements do not necessarily the Turkish Armed Forces (TAF) to pass its views and mes- Slovak Chief of Defence Staff. Lt. General Milan Maxim com- represent the views of UMSA Co. Ltd. or ments about the defence and military cooperation between MSI Turkish Defence Review. sages properly across to the public. We believe that bringing this “team” together on a regular basis, and not just after an the two countries. Printing undesirable event, will contribute greatly to increasing the As preparations for IDEF gain momentum, we hope to see Ada Ofset Matbaacılık San. ve Tic. Ltd. Şti. effectiveness and quality of communication. In this context, you again in our May issue, in which we will share with our Litros Yolu 2. Matbaacılar Sitesi the obvious move would be for TurAF to increase the fre- readers the main developments from the month of April. E Blok No: ZE-2 Kat 1 Topkapı İstanbul Ümit BAYRAKTAR Phone: +90 212 567 12 42 Pbx Managing Editor

www.milscint.com MSI Turkish Defence Review - April 2015 Message from General Necdet Özel, Commander of the Turkish Armed Forces, on the Occasion of the Centenary of the Battle of Çanakkale xactly one century ago, Çanakkale of different cultures and world views to became one of the most important get to know each other. Efronts in World War I – a war that led For this reason, the Gallipoli Peninsula on to great devastation, irreparable losses, which the battles were fought has become and untold sorrow and grief, all of which are not only a place where the sons of both imprinted deeply in our collective memory. sides fought bravely, but also a location In addition to being a turning point in his- where, despite the cruelty of war, feelings tory, both for Turkey and the world, the of solidarity and cooperation prevailed, and Battle of Çanakkale engendered very sig- lasting friendships were established. nificant consequences for the nations and Gazi Mustafa Kemal ATATÜRK – the pride people involved, leaving marks that are of the Turkish Nation, and the Eternal Com- still remembered today, despite the pass- ing of one hundred years. Each and every part of Çanakkale – a bat- tlefield over which shells and bullets col- lided in the sky, and where the fallen of different nations lie side by side – has today become a monument describing and warning humanity about the meaning and value of peace. The Battle of Çanakkale, which went down in history as the “last gentlemen’s war of the century”, was not merely a war fought to the death by the parties involved, but was also an important moment in his- tory that allowed nations and the peoples

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MSI Turkish Defence Review - April 2015 www.milscint.com mander of the Turkish Army and these lands as being our sons as well. As diers on the anniversary of the Battle of Mehmetçiks (Turkish soldiers), who stand stated by Gazi Mustafa Kemal ATATÜRK, the Çanakkale, which has left indelible marks alongside the finest examples of the mili- Founder of the Turkish Republic, when on the pages of recent history. tary profession around the world – played a speaking of the foreign soldiers who lost To commemorate the soldiers who sacrificed significant role in the establish- their lives at Çanakkale: “Those heroes who their lives during the Gallipoli Campaign, a ment of these friendships that have shed their blood and lost their lives! You rare moment of nobility and pride in history, continue to live and endure in the are now lying in the soil of a friendly country. on the occasion of the Centenary of the Battle present day. Çanakkale also Therefore, rest in peace. There is no differ- of Çanakkale on April 24–25, 2015, an event showed how the humane values ence between the Johnnies and the will be organized with the participation of all of the Turkish soldiers mani- Mehmetçiks to us, where they lie side by side nations who fought in this campaign, regard- fested themselves on the bat- now here in this country of ours. You, the less of for which side they fought. tlefield, with Mehmetçiks mothers, who sent their sons from faraway I believe that this meaningful event will con- carrying – in an example rarely countries, wipe away your tears; your sons tribute significantly to reinforcing the ties of encountered in the history of are now lying in our bosom and are at peace. friendship between the nations who fought war – wounded enemy sol- After having lost their lives on this land, they in this war, and will also serve as a re- diers to safety on their backs, have become our sons as well.” With these minder to other nations of this world about disregarding the risk to their words, ATATÜRK showed how compassion the realities of war, encouraging them to own lives, thereby demon- and mercy in war can transform enmity into build a world in which people can live in strating once again the no- friendship, thus providing the world with an peace and harmony. bility of humane behaviour. important lesson on humanity. With these thoughts and feelings, I would Regardless of their reli- As a result of this peaceful and humane ap- like to commemorate all of our heroes with gion, race or nation, we proach shown by ATATÜRK, representa- gratitude and indebtedness, from the mar- consider all soldiers who tives of different nations from across the tyrs who have made the ultimate sacrifice have lost their lives in world gather every year on the Gallipoli on many different fronts throughout our na- Peninsula to commemorate the fallen sol- tion’s history to the Peerless Commander Gazi Mustafa Kemal ATATÜRK, the hero of the Anafartalar and the Founder of our Na- tion, and to his comrades-in-arms. I also would like to commemorate with respect the soldiers of all other nations who have given their lives in our lands. I would like to offer my sincere thanks to the creators of MSI Turkish Defence Review for providing us with the opportunity to share our thoughts and feelings through this spe- cial issue prepared on the occasion of the Centenary of the Battle of Çanakkale, and extend to them our best wishes. Necdet ÖZEL General Commander of the Turkish Armed Forces

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www.milscint.com MSI Turkish Defence Review - April 2015 Forging Nations and Friendships th April 2015 will mark the The dawn landings on 25 April 1915 come ashore. The reality was that after 100th commemoration of were carried out by four Infantry Bat- limited gains on all fronts of the Com- 25the landings at Canakkale by talions of the 3rd Brigade, First Aus- monwealth campaign, the fighting on the Australian and New Zealand Army tralian Division. These men came from Gallipoli soon settled into a stalemate. Corps (ANZAC). Australians commem- Western Australia, South Australia, The ANZACs and the Turks dug in, lit- orate 25 April as “ANZAC Day”, and it is Tasmania and Queensland and they erally, digging kilometres of trenches arguably one of Australia's most re- fought the soldiers of the Ottoman and tunnels, many only meters apart, spected commemorations. The ANZAC Army, mainly on the ridges, beyond the and pinned each other down with sniper landings and subsequent battles at beaches. The 11th Battalion, from fire and shelling. Thousands of Aus- Gallipoli followed the failed British, Western Australia, came ashore on the tralian men died in the long days and French and Commonwealth attempt to beach beneath the slopes leading down months that followed the landing. The seize the Dardanelles (Canakkale from Ari Burnu and Plugge's Plateau. “diggers”, as the Australians called Straits), capture Istanbul and knock Ot- Among the first to fall was Captain themselves, hung on enduring horren- toman Empire out of World War One William Annear, 11th Battalion, of Subi- dous conditions, standing against the (WW1). This was a campaign which ul- aco, Western Australia. Charles Bean, vicious Turkish counter attacks in May, timately Australia and New Zealand the official Australian War Historian, and the hard fighting of the August Bat- forces lost, so you may ask, why all the described the scene: tles, designed to hold the Turks in their fuss about ANZAC Day? “The first Australians clambered out on defensive positions while fresh British “ANZAC” is synonymous with the fabric to the small plateau … heavy fire still troops came ashore at Suvla Bay. The of Australia’s national identity. The land- met the Australians appearing over the stalemate ended in the evacuation of ings at Canakkale in 1915 and the land rim of the plateau, and was sufficient to the ANZAC's on 20 December 1915. By battles fought at “Gallipoli” (what the force the first men to take what cover then, 8,141 had been killed or died of ANZAC’s called the Canakkale peninsu- they could on the seaward edge … Cap- wounds and more than 18,000 had been lar), were the first time that Australia and tain Annear was hit through the head wounded. New Zealand fought under their national and lay there, the first Australian officer Thus, in a time when “nationhood” was identities. At Gallipoli, men from all to be killed.” (Charles Bean, The Story arguably determined by ones prowess backgrounds and classes, from the of Anzac, Vol 1, “The Landing at Gaba in battle, at Gallipoli the ANZACs were newly federated Australia created the Tepe”, Sydney, 1941, p.259) unknown, untried and “green”. Their essence of what it means to be Aus- The first groups ashore were tasked to exploits touched their nation. Their tralian – “courage under fire, grace drive the Turkish defenders into the bravery, value for mateship, persist- under pressure, giving a hand to a mate”. hills. After that, the main force would ence, suffering, larrikin nature and ul-

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MSI Turkish Defence Review - April 2015 www.milscint.com timately their sacrifice defined much of than 5 million, 400,000 enlisted, of AUSTRALIA what we as Australian’s came to value which over 60,000 were killed and as Australia's national character. The 156,000 were wounded in WW1. Many severity of the conditions at Gallipoli left returned bearing physical and mental an indelible mark on Australia’s na- scars of war. So, almost every family tional character, as is seen in the con- had a son, brother, father or uncle who James ditions at Lone Pine during the August fought, was wounded or died at Gal- Offensive, which like so many battles at lipoli or during the fighting of WW1. BURNS Gallipoli started with promise, but This experience deeply touched every Rank Colonel ended in stalemate: Australian family, town and city. This “The whole way across it is just one is why on Anzac Day every year, towns Current Defence Attache mass of dead bodies, bags of bombs, and cities across Australia stop to re- Mission Turkey and Israel bales of sandbags, rifles, shovels and member. Service/Branch Army - Infantry all the hundred and one things that had But strangely, ANZAC is also a story of Start / End Dates 2013 to be rushed across to the enemy the oddest of friendships. A friendship of the Mission 2016 trenches. The undergrowth had been that rose out of the dust, death, illness Masters of Business cut down, like mown hay, by rifle fire… and hard conditions at Gallipoli - a Education Administration and Right beside me within 15 feet, I count friendship between Australians and Masters of Strategic fourteen of our boys - stone dead. Ah! Turks. This friendship defies our geo- Studies. It is a piteous sight. Man and boys who graphical separation – but the Turkish n 1985-1998: Regimental yesterday were full of joy and life, and experience, like ours, also shaped the postings with Australian now lying there cold-cold-dead-their Turkish nation. The Canakkale battles Infantry units. eyes glassy, their faces sallow and cov- were a national triumph for Turkey. n 1998: Command and ered with dust - soulless – somebody’s Turkey's victory saw the rise of Kemal Staff College. son, somebody’s boy – now merely a Ataturk and allowed Turkey to shake n 1999-2003: Instructor, thing… God what a sight. The Major is off the Ottoman Empire and start the School of Infantry standing next to me and says’ Well we long road to Nationhood. They too suf- and Staff Officer have won’. Great god – won – that fered terrible losses, losses that im- Grade One – Personnel, means victory, and all those bodies pacted most every Turkish family. On Land Headquarters. within arm’s reach, – then may I never the battlefields too there was an odd n 2004-2005: Battalion witness defeat.” (The Gallipoli Diary of bond between the Aussies and Turks – Commander - 51st Sergeant Lawrence) they respected each other, fought vi- Battalion, the Far Importantly, in 1915 Australia was a ciously when needed and then traded North Queensland small nation. With a population of less food, songs, cigarettes, bombs and in- Regiment. sults across the Trenches – strangely; Military Career n 2005-2006: UNTSO - they respected the other’s courage, Chief Operations determination and compassion. It was Officer and in those odd, gentler moments of com- Commander of the passion for the wounded and dying, or Australian Contingent. the simple decent burial of the dead n 2007-2008: Colonel that bound them together and wiped Support, Headquarters away the fear and viciousness of the Training Command wild and frantic combat in the –Army. trenches. n 2008-2009: Security So, in short, ANZAC is a story of self- Sector Reform Lead, discovery, of nationhood born from Headquarters sacrifice and suffering (on both sides). Regional Command – 7 ANZAC defined how Australia saw it- South. self and continues to do so. It is a deeply ingrained part of the Australian n 2009-2012: Assistant national identity. ANZAC Cove is as Chief of Staff and then much a part of Australia as is Bondi G1, Headquarters Beach or Ayres Rock. It is a sacred Forces Command. place to us, visited by thousands of A Conspicuous Service Australians every year, drawn to this Decorations Medal for his leadership and incredibly beautiful and incredibly sad and medals management of the Land place, to pay their respects to some Command’s personnel 8700 Australian’s, who now lie a very asset and functions. long way from home, but in the words Languages English of the great Ataturk, “...in the bosom Contact Information of a friendly country…” Tel +90 (312) 459 9500

www.milscint.com MSI Turkish Defence Review - April 2015 he words “From the Uttermost Ends of the Earth” are inscribed From the Uttermost Ton the New Zealand monument at Chunuk Bair (Conk Bayiri). They signify that the New Zealanders had come to Ends of the Earth fight from as far away as you can get from Turkey, a country with whom they vances further inland. Meanwhile, nights 19 and 20 December, 260 days had no previous contact or quarrel. ANZAC troops continued to come after the landing had been made, the New Zealand and Australian troops ashore, but were confined to a very ANZACs departed the peninsula. Al- fought as the ANZACs, the Australian small beach head, from which they though glad to escape the fighting and and New Zealand Army Corps. The were never able to break out. Of the dreadful living conditions, many men term ANZAC is still in use today. It sym- 3,000 New Zealand troops that landed were also sad to leave their dead mates bolises the enduring relationship be- on 25 April, 20% were killed or behind. tween New Zealand and Australia in wounded. The campaign was as a costly failure range of military and non-military con- The operation developed into a stale- for the Allies. Of the 14,000 New texts, not just Gallipoli. mate. The ANZACs could not break out, Zealanders who fought on the penin- The ANZAC’s landed before first light the Turks could not break in. Almost sula, 2,721 were killed and 4,852 on 25 April 1915. Australian troops of continuous trench lines and outposts wounded. This was a high price for a the 3rd Brigade were the first ashore. were dug by both sides for protection nation of just 1,000,000 people. New Instead of landing on a wide beach just against bullet and shell, just as had oc- Zealand troops had only ever deployed north of Gaba Tepe as intended, they curred on the Western front. Offensives overseas once before; to the Boer War were deposited in a small un-named in May and August, by the Turks and in South Africa from 1899- 1902. There, cove near Ari Burnu, well north of the ANZACs respectively, were costly fail- New Zealand had only suffered seventy intended landing point. How the mix up ures. Men lived, fought and died in ap- one men killed in action during the en- occurred is the subject of much debate, palling conditions, with only metres tire three year commitment. A sense of even today. Instead of gentle slopes, separating the trench lines in some shock was experienced the length and the men were confronted by physically places. They suffered from heat, breadth of New Zealand as the extent challenging cliffs and gullies. These swarms of flies, disease brought about of the casualty lists was realised- every caused units to become separated and by insanitary conditions, shortage of family was affected. There was also intermingled, and along with Turkish food and water and they were always profound a sense of loss felt by veter- resistance, added to the confusion. subject to the threat of artillery and ans for dead comrades in arms left be- Still, some unsupported elements got sniper fire. Nowhere was safe, even hind when the force withdrew. as far forward as Third Ridge. The first the beach. On 25 April 1916, while the First World New Zealanders ashore were men of In these harrowing conditions, the Aus- War was still being fought, New the Auckland Battalion, who landed at tralians and New Zealanders developed Zealand held its first ANZAC Day. Every midday. a mutual respect for each other’s fight- year since then, all across New Fierce Turkish counterattacks by Turk- ing prowess, and also for “Johnny Zealand, in cities, towns and communi- ish infantry kept the ANZACs off the Turk.” Eventually Allied High Command ties, the young and the old gather on 25 dominating high ground and limited ad- decided to evacuate the force. On the April. The day is a significant national

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MSI Turkish Defence Review - April 2015 www.milscint.com NEW ZEALAND

Peter WOOD Rank Colonel Current Mission Defence Attache Service/Branch Army - Infantry Start / End Dates 2014 of the Mission 2016 Masters of Philosophy Education and PhD in Defence and Strategic Studies. n 1982- 1998: Regimental postings with New Zealand infantry units in New Zealand and Singapore, School of Infantry and Officer Cadet School. n 1995: Australian Army Command and Staff College n 1997/1998: Team Site Commander/ Regional Commander and NZ Senior National Officer, UN Mission in Angola n 2001- 2003: Commanding Officer, 1st Battalion Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment (inclusive of six months as CO NZBatt4 East Timor) n 2003- 2005: Staff officer Grade 1 Coalition Operations, ABCA Armies’ occasion, bringing with it a sense of na- at Gallipoli. Mustafa Kemal Ataturk’s Standardisation Program, tional unity, but it’s not just about Gal- 1934 words of reconciliation, the condi- Rosslyn, Virginia, USA lipoli. The services, usually held at tion in which Turkey maintains the area n 2008-2009: Deputy dawn, are an opportunity for the nation and generously allows annual ANZAC Commander International to reflect on the cost of war, the sacri- commemorations to be held on the Stabilisation Force 9 fice of those who fought at Gallipoli, and peninsula has done much to maintain (Australia and New those killed in the service of their coun- the good relationship forged between Zealand), Timor Leste try in all subsequent conflicts. It is also former foes on the Ҫanakkale battle- n 2010- 2011: Director an occasion to acknowledge the service field. It is appropriate then that the Capability Requirements, of New Zealand veterans. New Zealan- New Zealand and Ataturk memorials Capability Branch, ders and Australians gather all around stand side by side on Chunuk Bair. As a HQ NZDF the world on ANZAC day. Increasing result of Gallipoli, New Zealand devel- n 2012- 2014: Commander numbers make the pilgrimage to Gal- oped a greater sense of its own identity. New Zealand Defence lipoli to experience the feeling that only The courage, persistence, comrade- College being at the actual battlefield can bring, ship, ingenuity and individual initiative, Decoration An Officer of the and to pay their respects to the fallen evident in the troops’ performance at and New Zealand order (martyrs). Gallipoli, came to represent the char- smedals of Merit (ONZM) A close and enduring bond between acteristics of a self-reliant nation from Languages English New Zealand and Australia was created the uttermost ends of the earth.

www.milscint.com MSI Turkish Defence Review - April 2015 DEFENCE NEWS © ASELSAN © ASELSAN ASELSAN’s Turnover Again Exceeds $1 Billion arch saw ASELSAN in the headlines again with news of a of a modern test ship, required by both institutions, by a joint Mnumber of new joint ventures and as the recipient of an project team. Construction of the Test and Training Ship is award. March also coincided with the publication of ASELSAN’s expected to begin in 2016 in a programme that will include the 2014 Activity Report under the title of “One Brand, One Mission, development of the necessary capabilities, as well as special Five Sectors”. The main statistical data listed in this report was analysis and test laboratories, for the carrying out of tests at sea as follows: during the development of military and civilian naval systems. n In 2014, ASELSAN’s sales remained nearly the same as in the The Test and Training Ship, which is expected to be procured by previous year, with a total sales figure of $1,141 million. ASELSAN with the financial support of the Istanbul Development Approximately 61 percent of these sales were to the Turkish Agency, will be managed and operated by ASELSAN with the Armed Forces (TAF), while 22 percent were to export markets, assistance of the İTÜ Faculty of Naval Architecture and Ocean and 17 percent were to public and private organizations. Engineering. Aside from ASELSAN and İTÜ, the Test and n ASELSAN’s exports increased by $1 million on the previous Training Ship will be made available to all companies looking year, reaching $210 million in 2014. to develop new products and to all universities wishing to use it n During 2014, ASELSAN has signed agreements or obtained for educational purposes. purchase orders with a total value of $1,177 million, of which Another cooperation agreement, signed between ASELSAN and $170 million was related to export markets. The total value of TEMSA, was announced in a statement released by ASELSAN on orders received by ASELSAN to date has reached $4 billion. March 4. According to the statement, the two organizations n ASELSAN’s R&D expenses reached $376 million – $308 have agreed to launch a project involving the development of million of which was financed externally and $68 million 100 percent locally-produced electric buses. In accordance with financed through the company’s own resources. this agreement, the electrical vehicle components will be The first news concerning a new cooperation was announced on developed by ASELSAN, such as the engine and engine drives; March 3, and was related to an R&D cooperation framework the battery and battery management systems; the vehicle control protocol signed between Istanbul Technical University (İTÜ) and and management systems; the radar and night vision systems; ASELSAN. The protocol was signed by Prof. Dr. Mehmet Karaca, ultrasonic sensors and the communication systems. All of these the Rector of İTÜ, on behalf of İTÜ; and by Dr. Hasan Canpolat, will all be integrated into the transportation vehicles by TEMSA. the Chairman of the Board of ASELSAN, and Dr. Faik Eken, News of an award received by ASELSAN was made public on General Manager of ASELSAN. Under the agreement, İTÜ and March 12 after the company’s achievements were recognized at ASELSAN will extend their current ongoing studies in the fields the “Islamic World Istanbul Awards”, which was held for the first 10 of transportation, energy, robotics and naval systems. time this year to honour and promote successful individuals and ASELSAN and İTÜ signed another important agreement on institutions that strengthen the vision, depth and integration March 13 in the form of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) of the Islamic world. ASELSAN was received the “Istanbul for the Test and Training Ship. The MoU was signed by Mustafa Technology Award” during the award ceremony hosted by the Kaval, the Vice General Manager of ASELSAN, and by Prof. Dr. Senate of Pakistan’s Security Committee, with the award being Mehmet Sabri Çelik, the Vice Rector of İTÜ, and paves the way for presented to Tuğrul Özkan, ASELSAN’s International Marketing the joint conceptualization, development, design and production Manager, by Mamnoon Hussain, the President of Pakistan. TDA Flies the Flag in Germany he Turkish Defence Alliance (TDA) participated at the IWA Outdoor Classics 2015 exhibition in Nuremberg, Germany Ton March 6–9 with an information booth, along with 64 Turkish companies which also opened booths. In terms of the number of participating companies, Turkey ranked fifth behind Germany, the United States, Italy and the United Kingdom. During the event, the TDA’s booth was visited by Asip Kaya, Turkey’s Consul General in Nuremberg, and by Cevdet Baykal and İsmet Salihoğlu, Turkey’s Commercial Attachés in Munich.

MSI Turkish Defence Review - April 2015 www.milscint.com

DEFENCE NEWS

With the ATDM, Turkey Attains Ammunition Testing Capabilities he Ministry of National TDefence’s Centre for Firing, Testing and Assessment (ATDM) built by ROKETSAN in Karapınar, Konya, was opened on March 24 by Prime Minister Prof. Dr. Ahmet Davutoğlu. The © establishment of the ATDM, © © ROKETSAN ROKETSAN a turnkey project, was as ROKETSAN part of an agreement signed Dr. Eyüp Kaptan, Chairman Dr. İsmet Yılmaz, Minister Prime Minister Prof. Dr. between the NATO Supply of the Board at ROKETSAN of National Defence Ahmet Davutoğlu Agency (NSPA) and ROKETSAN in 2011, and was completed within 38 months. As a testing and missile ammunitions; and can accurately measure centre, the ATDM is compliant with international standards parameters such as range, direction, location, distribution, and can satisfy completely the testing requirements of both accuracy, enthalpy, velocity and acceleration. The centre will Turkish defence industry organizations and institutions and also be able to apply command and control applications foreign businesses. The centre offers many significant during firing tests, to collect, process, analyse and store data advantages, such as guaranteeing secrecy for domestic at a single centre; conduct simultaneous and multiple firing projects, reducing the duration of R&D processes and tests; obtain live images of targets and targeted areas; and increasing firing safety. The system is equipped with several collect live images through its well-equipped observation data measurement, recording and tracking systems, tower during test firing. In a statement concerning the including Multiple Sensor Optic Tracking and Radar Systems centre, ROKETSAN emphasized that the ATDM is a highly designed under the technical coordination of ROKETSAN. advanced centre that can compete technologically with other The ATDM also features portable optical systems capable of testing centres found in countries such as the United States, immediate data transfer, and long-range tracking radar the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Spain and systems. The ATDM can test all types of artillery, tank, rocket South Africa.

AMENDMENT AND APOLOGY: In the article entitled “Turkish Defence and Aerospace Industry Celebrates 10 Years with UAVs” that appeared in the 8th (March 2015) edition of MSI Turkish Defence Review, in Table 1, the “Procurement Amount” of KARAYEL UAV system was written erroneously as “1 System (3 Aircraft)”, when the amount was in fact “1 System (6 Aircraft).” We would like to apologise to both Vestel Defence and to our readers for this error.

ROKETSAN Maintains Warm Relations with Australia OKETSAN, which attaches considerable importance Rto the promotion of its indigenous products such as the SOM missile in Australia, once again took part in the AVALON exhibition. As the only participant from Turkey at AVALON 2015, held in Geelong, Australia, ROKETSAN’s stand greeted high-ranking delegations and conducted several important meetings. As an F-35 Joint Strike Force customer, Australia is 12 currently conducting research into cruise missiles that can be used in the aircraft’s internal weapons bays, ROKETSAN and ROKETSAN is proposing its SOM missile to meet © this requirement.

Request for Information Request for Information Issued for TF-X A(RfI) document for the Turkish National Fighter for the indigenous design, Companies applying for the prohibited from making (TF-X) Project was published development and production programme between March statements related to the on March 13 on the website of Turkish fighter aircraft 13 and 20 received the subject, or to openly express of the Undersecretariat for to replace the F-16 aircraft RfI via e-mail. The whether or not they intended Defence Industries (SSM). within the inventory of the announcement said that to respond to the RFI, The RFI, which was Turkish Air Force (TurAF), companies that had received without the written prepared in English, calls starting from the 2030s. the document were approval of the SSM.

MSI Turkish Defence Review - April 2015 www.milscint.com

DEFENCE NEWS

SSM Publishes Its 2014 Activity Report he 2014 Undersecretariat for Defence Industries (SSM) n Studies into the design and development of logistic support TActivity Report was published on March 12. Some of the services for the systems with expiring warranty periods in information and developments listed in this Activity Report Turkish Armed Forces’ inventory are being launched. Based that have not been previously covered by MSI Turkish Defence on the PBL approach, it is envisioned that the logistic Review include: support for the relevant systems will be used as an n The SSM has completed preliminary studies concerning integrated package service by the product support the scope and development of the Logistic Road Map, integrator company (i.e., contractor). Related studies have and the main topics to be covered have been decided upon. been initiated concerning the development of product n The standard Logistic Support Agreement, which is intended support strategies for the following systems and facilities: to serve as a guide and reference document, has been l The Distant Horizon Systems, prepared based on the studies conducted and the experiences l The Stabilized Machine Gun Platform (STAMP), acquired through the “Logistic Support for Distant Horizon l Command and Control Aircrafts, Project” program – a project that was initiated previously l Electronic Warfare Test and Training Range (EHTES), and for the logistical support for the radar systems procured l The LR-100 Electronic Warfare Programming and as a part of the Distant Horizon Project, and that are Simulation Centre. currently part of Turkish Naval Forces Command’s n The opening of a contact office in Abu Dhabi was considered inventory. inappropriate under the current circumstances. Studies are n In order to satisfy the goal to sign at least three contracts being conducted for the opening of an office in Indonesia. for preliminary projects pertaining to logistic support, a new n In 2014, the income and expenses of the Defence Industry contact had been signed. The remaining two are expected Support Fund were 3.347 million liras and 3.607 million liras, to be signed during the first half of 2015. respectively. These figures do not include the sums n Initial studies into the provision of logistical support for transferred from the budget of the Ministry of National systems in the inventory and development projects are Defence and other institutions, or other related payments. continuing at the SSM with the aim of implementing life The fund has currently approximately $5.7 billion of accrued cycle management approaches and launching Performance resources at the Treasury waiting to be transferred. Based Logistic (PBL) activities. Studies have begun into the n As a part of the activities to promote the SSM, the development of PBL programmes for the following projects: Undersecretariat participated in 11 career fairs at leading l The ANKA-S Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Project, universities in 2014, and provided information regarding the l The HÜRKUŞ New Generation Basic Trainer Aircraft Project, SSM’s activities to nearly 800 students in a bid to recruit l The Indigenous Helicopter Development Project, qualified employees. As in previous years, the SSM once l The ALTAY Turkish National Main Battle Tank Project, again organized the “Programme for Promoting the SSM l The F-16 Missile Warning System, and and Informing Students” in July 2014, and presented l The Combat Search and Rescue Exercise Field Project. certificates of participation to the 100 students that took part. SASAD Workshops Now Addressing Intellectual Property Rights he Workshop for TIntellectual and Industrial Property Rights in the defence sector organized by the Defence and Aerospace

Industry Manufacturers MSI Defence Review

Association (SASAD), and © hosted by the Undersecretariat 14 for Defence Industries (SSM), was held on March 10 with the support of ASELSAN, TAI, Group at the SSM; and Dr. E. secrecy as one of the reasons ARGETEK, Dr. Gökpınar METU Teknokent and Serdar Gökpınar, the President for this situation. Demirci’s stated that for defence TÜBİTAK MAM. During the of SASAD ARGETEK. In the presentation described the industries worldwide, opening sessions of the opening session, Dr. Şenlikci R&D performance of the indicators such as R&D workshop, speeches were emphasized the need and defence industry worldwide investment provide a more given by Dr. Ata Şenlikci, the importance of protecting the in terms of the number of accurate picture of the status Head of the R&D and rights of those who generate patents and utility models of the sector rather than the Technology Management new ideas in every institution received, and the number of number of patents received. Department at the SSM; and organization. Baysak registered brands, and he The event continued Hüseyin Baysak, the General noted the poor performance concluded his presentation with presentations from Secretary of SASAD; Deniz of the Turkish defence and by presenting a summary of speakers from various Demirci, the Director of the aerospace industry’s patent the situation in Turkey. institutions and Technology Management and utility model, and cited Speaking on behalf of SASAD organizations.

MSI Turkish Defence Review - April 2015 www.milscint.com

DEFENCE NEWS

First TAI-Produced Lockheed Martin

F-35 Centre Fuselage © Takes to the Skies ccording to a TAI statement released on March 12, the first Aaircraft with a centre fuselage produced by TAI as part of the ducts. March also saw TAI participate for the third time in the JSF/F-35 program has rolled off the final assembly line in the “Satellite Show” event held in the United States. During the event, United States, and entered into use in February. The fuselage, which was held of March 16–19, TAI presented and promoted its produced for an aircraft earmarked for use by the United States Space Systems Integration and Test Centre (USET), as well as the Air Force (USAF), had been delivered to Northrop Grumman and GÖKTÜRK-1, -2, -3 and TÜRKSAT 6A satellite projects. At this Lockheed Martin with a ceremony held on December 11, 2013. year’s event, which drew over 380 companies and 4,500 visitors, TAI is currently the only supplier and producer of F-35 fuselages TAI’s stand was visited by Prof. Dr. Yusuf Hasçiçek, President of outside the United States, and will continue to produce and the Transport, Maritime Affairs and Communication Research manufacture these major components for Turkish aircraft until Centre; Prof. Dr. Ensar Gül, General Manager of TÜRKSAT; the 2030s. Aside from the fuselage, TAI remains either the only Dr. Celal Sami Tüfekçi, Head of the Space Department at the source, or one of two sources, worldwide producing parts for the SSM; and Ali Baygeldi, President of the Satellite Design and F-35’s metallic sub-assemblies, air-to-ground alternate mission Integration Department at the General Directorate of Aviation equipment pylons, selected composite components and air inlet and Space Technologies. TÜBİTAK Initiates Stage II of Passive Emission Detection System n March 13, TÜBİTAK’s Defence and Security Technologies Research Grant Group (SAVTAG) published a request for Otenders for the second stage of the Passive Emission Detection System Development Project. The project’s subject was announced as, “The development of a system that can detect various emissions from an aircraft through receivers, process the obtained data digitally, and then identify and track the source(s) of these emissions, without producing any emissions itself.” The project has a budget of 15 million liras, and is expected to be completed within 36 months, with the final 6 months of the project to be set aside for field tests and testing-related activities. The deadline for bids is May 29.

INTERVIEW

Serdar Demirel, Deputy MSI TDR: Mr. Serdar Demirel, you are a well-known figure with deep knowledge Undersecretary (Platform Projects) of the sector who has worked for many years at the upper echelons of the SSM. at the SSM: We would like to ask you to enlighten us and the sector about the technical “The Path to High aspects and strategic dimensions of the important topics. We would particularly like to ask you the following question: Export Turnover Lies Looking at the current structure of the Turkish defence and aerospace sector, we can see that, aside from the aviation in the Production of and space sector, none of the land and sea platform producers are Turkish High-Quality and Armed Forces Foundation (TAFF) companies. Taking into account the current capabilities of the aviation and Competitive Products” space sector, what do you consider to be the advantages and disadvantages of the current situation in the land and sea sectors? Serdar DEMİREL: I first would like to note that the situation you have described is not the product of a planned strategy. In fact, other than our foundation companies, there are many other distinguished com- panies active within the aviation and space sector, such as Vestel Defence, Kale- Baykar and Alp Aviation. However, it is well-known that the production of military platforms in aviation is an area of activity that requires very significant investment and capital. In fact, there are only a limited

© number of companies around the world

MSI Defence Review engaged in the production of military aer- ial platforms. This situation is not the result of a delib- erate plan, but, as you mentioned, it pro- vides us with the opportunity to make comparisons between organizations with different capital structures in the sector. Platform projects have generated considerable excitement Although not applicable to all companies, I believe that it is still possible to make the among the general public and bestowed a new prestige following generalizations: As mission-ori- on the Turkish defence and aerospace sector. ented companies, foundation companies The departments in the Undersecretariat for Defence do not limit their areas of activity based 18 solely on profit, in that they can take en- Industries (SSM) with responsibilities in platform projects trepreneurial initiatives in accordance with national interests. On the other hand, carry out their tasks and activities under the responsibility private sector organizations are, owing to of Serdar Demirel, Deputy Undersecretary (Platform their simpler and profit-oriented manage- rial structure, capable of taking decisions Projects) at the SSM. We had the opportunity to speak more rapidly, and so can take action on to Demirel, who has been working in the sector for quite their own initiative whenever they deem it necessary, without first waiting for a move some time, who provided us with a general overview of from the state or government. In addition, his responsibilities, as well as a number of their profit-oriented approach also en- ables them to adhere to shorter delivery much-sought answers related to various projects. schedules. Ümit BAYRAKTAR / [email protected] In summary, each type of capital/organi- K. Burak CODUR / [email protected] zational structure has its own character-

MSI Turkish Defence Review - April 2015 www.milscint.com © Lockheed Martin

F-35 displayed with the air-to-ground and ait-to-air munitions it can carry. Turkey is gradually ordering F-35s, at the same time Turkey is running a project to develop its indigenous fighter aircraft. istic advantages; and I believe that the changed or modified according to the on the necessity or requirement of ensur- concurrent existence and continuity of weapons of its own inventory, or use a dif- ing the usability of a domestically pro- these two different structures will con- ferent command and control software duced subsystem in all types of platforms tinue to have a positive effect on the Turk- that its own navy may be more familiar is also problematic, since this approach ish defence and aerospace sector. with. has the effect of “virtually” transforming In such cases, the argument that “if you the relevant domestic subsystem and its MSI TDR: In the Defence and Aerospace sell a platform, you will also automatically producer into monopolies. As a conse- Industry Vision Meeting held by the sell its subsystems” no longer holds true. quence of this, the relevant subsystem Defence and Aerospace Industry In fact, if you have subsystems that are product eventually begins to lag behind Exporters’ Association (SSI) on more capable and advantageous than competing products developed in other November 19-20, 2013, the leading those of your competitors, you may ac- countries, both in terms of technology and candidates in the area of exports were quire the opportunity to have them inte- competitiveness. On the other hand, failing determined based on scores given by the grated into other platforms – even if you to provide adequate support to domestic meeting participants. The highest do not get to sell your own platforms. producers has the effect of exposing them, ranking candidates were, in descending In this context, I believe that the path to and their products, to the “destructive order: guided weapons, naval platforms, high export turnovers lies not only in the competition” of foreign producers, which electronic systems and software, sale of platforms, but also in the produc- engenders the risk of having their domes- helicopters, armoured and wheeled tion of high-quality and competitive prod- tic products wiped out from the markets platforms, aircraft, ammunition, space ucts in the fields of both platforms and before they can develop sufficiently and platforms, and maintenance and repair subsystems. establish themselves. For this reason, the activities. It is often mentioned that the SSM must provide certain technical and fi- path to a higher turnover in exports MSI TDR: When people speak of nancial advantages to domestic products; needs to be based on the sale of cooperation within the sector, eyes turn although we must not overlook the possi- platforms. How do you interpret these immediately to platform producers, given bility that if our domestic producers un- results of the vision meeting? their great influence over the selection of able to become competitive, their products Serdar DEMİREL: The export of platforms sub-contractors, and their significant may also fail to be competitive in the global 19 can be seen as a double-edged sword. Al- investments into platform technologies. market. We must, as a measure against though the generally-held view states that What are your views concerning the level of this eventuality, devise a model that max- “those who are dominant in the area of cooperation shown by platform producers imizes the benefit to the Turkish Armed platforms will automatically be able to ex- in the Turkish defence and aerospace Forces (TAF). port the associated subsystems of these sector? How would you assess the positive platforms”, current trends around the or negative effects of the active role MSI TDR: There are two notable features in world indicate that recipient countries are played by the SSM in the selection of the current SSM organization. The first of increasingly willing to have a say in the sub-contractors? In your opinion, what are these is the fact that, while there is a one configuration of weapon systems. the primary areas for improvement? department for land platform projects and Based entirely on a hypothetical case, I Serdar DEMİREL: I believe that it might another for naval platform projects under can provide the following example: A be better if the SSM assumed a more your Deputy Undersecretariat, there are country willing to purchase one of your moderate role in “dictating” which sub- two departments for aerial platform warships can, as a precondition, request contractors should be used by the sector. projects. Could you please explain the that the warship’s weapon systems be Furthermore, placing too much emphasis reason for this? www.milscint.com MSI Turkish Defence Review - April 2015 INTERVIEW

FNSS displayed the first prototype of its New Projects will become KAPLAN tracked vehicle at IDEF’13. KAPLAN the Focus of Attention is developed to address the projects, which MSI TDR: The sector is eagerly looking are expected to be initiated soon to satisfy the needs of Turkish Land Forces. forward to the new land vehicle projects to be initiated in the upcoming period. During the Land Systems Seminar in November 3–4, 2014, these projects were at the top of everyone’s agenda. Could you please share with us some details

© concerning these projects?

MSI Defence Review Serdar DEMİREL: Projects such as the Special Purpose Tactical Wheeled Ar- moured Vehicle Project, the Anti-Tank Ve- hicle (STA) Project, the Armoured Amphibious Assault Vehicle (ZAHA) Proj- ect and the New Generation Light Ar- moured Vehicle Project will become the Otokar developed TULPAR tracked vehicle to focus of attention in the upcoming period. address both Turkish and export markets. The need for a Special Purpose Tactical Wheeled Armoured Vehicle first began to be discussed in 2006, and a tender for the project was announced initially in 2008, but was later cancelled during the Best and Final Offer (BAFO) stage. Since then, Turkish Land Forces Command (TLF) has re-evaluated its needs and requirements, forwarding to our Undersecretariat its re-

© quest for this vehicle after carrying out Otokar certain changes to its original configura- tion and the number to be procured. A Re- quest for Proposal (RfP) was then issued to meet the requirement for a total of 472 Serdar DEMİREL: The Helicopters and to those that carry, transport and manage vehicles in four different configurations, Fixed-Wing Platforms Departments were weapon systems. In other words, when we including a Command and Control Vehi- formed long before I assumed office, speak of platforms, we describe systems cle, a Sensor/Reconnaissance Vehicle, a when the Aerial Vehicles Department was that have firepower. In this context, I am Radar Vehicle and a CBRN Reconnais- divided into two separate departments not very fond of the idea of describing ob- sance Vehicle. The production of some of due to excessive work load and the in- servation satellites as “platforms”. these vehicles is within the capabilities creasing difficulty experienced in follow- That said, since my office and duties relate and product range of the prime contrac- ing ongoing projects and activities by a more to the management of the existing tors within the sector, and we plan to use single department. These two depart- organizational structure, rather than re- domestic capabilities as much as possible ments continue to be very busy and to organizing its different aspects, such as for the equipment and hardware of these have a very significant work load, which is the terminology it uses, I do not believe it vehicles. a clear indication of why the decision to would be appropriate for me to make fur- Compared to other projects, we are at a form these two departments was very ap- ther comment on this matter. relatively more advanced stage with the propriate. 20 MSI TDR: Another notable feature concerning of the SSM’s organizational structure is that the department dealing with space is not assigned administratively under your Deputy Undersecretariat. Should we interpret this as an indication that the SSM currently does not view space-related systems as “platforms”? Serdar DEMİREL: The word “platform” refers to a system that carries entities or U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist objects other than itself. Since the focus of 2nd Class Amanda R. Gray

our activities is the defence sector, when © we mention platforms, we refer specifically The design of AAV is among the references for ZAHA project.

MSI Turkish Defence Review - April 2015 www.milscint.com STA project, and as you may be aware, we expectations and predictions on how the published the RfP for this project in June transfer of technologies will be made? 2013, together with FNSS and Otokar. Serdar DEMİREL: In the ALTAY project Within the scope of this tender, we plan to we are currently engaged in preparatory procure at total of 260 vehicles, including activities for the System Qualification and 184 tracked and 76 wheeled vehicles, and Acceptance Tests, which will last for ap- following the preliminary evaluation of proximately one year. Tests will be carried proposals, the TLF has, based on the out on both the PV1 and PV2 prototypes of SSM’s recommendations, called for a the ALTAY tank, the production of which number of changes to the vehicle’s con- has already been completed. Our prime figuration that have necessitated a revi- contractor, Otokar, is now carrying out the sion of the RfP. The revised RfP was sent necessary safety and functionality control to the relevant companies on July 9, 2014, activities prior to these tests, and we plan ©

and they have been requested to revise MSI Defence Review to initiate the System Qualification Tests their proposals accordingly. We are cur- in April. While we are currently experienc- rently evaluating the new and revised pro- ing a delay in the planned project sched- posals, and once we have completed our ule, this delay will not prevent the timely evaluations, we will forward the results to completion of the overall project schedule the Defence Industry Executive Commit- or the delivery of the platforms to TLF. As tee for a final decision. planned at the beginning of the project, Although our defence sector has made this regard we believe that our defence serial production of the ALTAY tank significant progress, especially in the land sector will, once again, demonstrate its should be initiated in 2016 without any fur- vehicles sector, we are nevertheless tak- expertise in this area. The companies that ther delays, while the initial deliveries of ing into account the fact that ZAHA repre- are the main players in our national de- the tank are due at the beginning of 2018. sents a high risk project. The fact that a fence sector are already producing and In parallel to these testing-related activi- similar project in the United States was designing many domestic amphibious ve- ties, we are also making preparations for discontinued is, indeed, something of hicles, and these are a source of pride for serial production. To minimize any poten- which we need to be wary. The discontin- our country. In this project, the proposals tial problems in this regard we are work- ued EFV project was initiated by the United submitted by FNSS and Otokar are cur- ing, together with TLF representatives on States with intention of further improving rently being evaluated. delineating the main outline of the serial the capabilities of the AAV platforms in its The New Generation Light Armoured Ve- production period. In this context, it would inventory that had been previously de- hicle project involves the design and pro- be somewhat premature to make predic- signed and produced by the United States. duction of both wheeled and tracked tions about the tender that will be an- The technical requirements of the project armoured vehicles of many different de- nounced for Serial Production Phase, or were very high when compared to the ac- signs that are required by the TLF, (in- about the project model that will be em- tual capabilities of the AAV vehicle. To give cluding vehicles with amphibious ployed before the plans associated with a simple example, the new vehicles were capabilities. This project was brought to these preparatory activities are finalized. planned to move at greater speeds than our Undersecretariat a few months ago, For this reason, I believe that we will be in the AAVs, both on land and at sea. and 2015 will see the preparatory stage a better position to provide an answer to In the defence sector it is certainly very begin, in which we will conduct studies your question in the upcoming months, important to develop existing technical into preparing the “Technical and Tactical once a certain level of progress has been capabilities; however, wishing to obtain Requirements Document” and shall iden- achieved in our project activities. something suddenly and almost immedi- tify the relevant needs. On the other hand, the decisions concern- ately is not compatible with sound defence ing the technical data package and the industry policies in terms of time and MSI TDR: It is expected that a tender will production of platforms, whose intellec- monetary resources. For this reason, the be used to determine the company that tual property rights belong fully to the most reasonable, feasible and cost-effec- will carry out the serial production of SSM -including the ALTAY tank-, are 21 tive approach is ensuring the development the ALTAY tank. If a tender is indeed taken exclusively by our Undersecretariat. of technical capabilities in a gradual way, launched, and is awarded to a company The technical data package, which is pre- and over an extended period of time. that did not partake in the tank’s pared in accordance with international For this reason, we plan to keep our proj- development programme, then the serial military standards, also brings the possi- ect requirements free of unrealistic ex- production will be conducted following bility of having platforms and sub-systems pectations, and compatible with current a transfer of technology executed produced by different procedures. technological developments. They must through a technical data package In this context, we are evaluating all pos- be capable of meeting fully all relevant of the SSM. In such a case, this type sible alternatives concerning the selection needs and demands. We believe that we of technology transfer will, to the best of of the prime contractor and project model can overcome the risks ahead. We have a our knowledge, be carried out for the for the Serial Production Phase; and we domestic defence sector that has exten- first time in Turkey, at least for are also in the process of determining the sive experience in the development of am- platforms. Has the SSM prepared itself selection method for the prime contrac- phibious vehicles, and that is viewed very for the possibility of such a scenario? tor, as well as the procedures to be fol- highly in international defence circles. In Could you please share with us your lowed during the tender (to which only www.milscint.com MSI Turkish Defence Review - April 2015 INTERVIEW

certain candidate companies will be al- ments of our projects, while also being This is possible because the MİLGEM lowed to participate). There is an impor- available for use by all companies. project will also determine the shipyard tant point that merits special emphasis: In Until now, coordination activities to ensure where the TF2000 will be constructed. the event of a company other than Otokar that civilian test centres also provide serv- In this context, could you please provide becoming, as you mentioned earlier, our ices for military vehicles have on the us with an update of the latest situation prime contractor for the Serial Production whole been conducted by the Automotive in the MİLGEM project, and tell us about Phase, we realize that we will experience Industrialists’ Association; however this any potential developments we may see significant difficulties in producing a Pro- task has recently been transferred to the in this project in the upcoming period? duction Data Package from the Technical Turkish Standards Institute (TSE) by the Serdar DEMİREL: As you may already Data Production, and in subsequently ini- government. This constitutes a new pe- know, construction of the third and fourth tiating the serial production process. That riod in the reorganization of these centres. ships in the MİLGEM project has, just like said, our colleagues are carrying out ben- Activities for the establishment of the in- the first two ships, been initiated at the Is- efit-loss analyses for all possible scenar- frastructure centre I mentioned earlier tanbul Shipyard Command, with all ves- ios, and we will be sharing these are being conducted by the TSE within the sels being based on the same model. scenarios with you once we clarify their scope of the National Test and Innovation Although there is no decision as of yet details. Centre Establishment project, while coor- concerning the remaining four ships, dination between the TSE and our Under- which will be continuation of the first four MSI TDR: What can you say about the secretariat is being ensured by the ships, there are currently ongoing studies adequacy of the infrastructure in Turkey Quality, Test and Certification Depart- to determine the project model. for the testing and certification of land ment. It would be wrong to assume that the ship- vehicles? If there are any issues or yard of the MİLGEM project will automati- shortcomings in this area, what types MSI TDR: Despite the fact that the cally become a candidate for the TF2000 of activities are being conducted to TF2000 project is much larger and more project. Aside from our military shipyards, remedy them? prestigious than the MİLGEM project, our private sector shipyards have for 10 Serdar DEMİREL: Companies within our the entire sector now appears to be years been playing an active role in the mil- defence and aerospace sector have car- focused entirely on the future itary ship construction sector, and for this ried out various infrastructure and capa- development of the MİLGEM project. reason, I am fully confident that, given the bility investments within the scope of our opportunity to conduct the MİLGEM projects, using either their own and TF2000 projects, they will spare no means or with support from the effort in ensuring these projects come SSM; however, it is important for to a successful completion. these infrastructures and capa- bilities to be gathered and main- tained at a single centre, such © that they can satisfy all future MSI Defence Review infrastructure-related require-

22

The selection of the shipyard, where the remaining 4 ships of the MİLGEM project will be built, is eagerly awaited by the industry. The first 4 ships were built at İstanbul Shipyard Command

MSI Turkish Defence Review - April 2015 www.milscint.com TCG GEDİZ and TCG YARBAY KUDRET GÜNGÖR from Barbaros Turkish Maritime Task Group cruises side by side. The Group’s cruise TNC on the coasts of Africa supported the efforts for the promotion of the Turkish Defence Industry. ©

In this context, our primary goal is to com- this promotion opportunity to the industry has achieved. The port visits of plete our current works and activities. As maximum extent? Did the TDGG-14 TCG HEYBELİADA in particular were the Undersecretariat, we will be doing our lead to concrete developments in terms highly effective in presenting the current best to meet the requirements of our navy of export activities? level of our defence sector. The fact that by ensuring technical, financial and calen- Serdar DEMİREL: To first give some we actively use our own naval products dar optimization in the future, and in the background, within the scope of the 2014 serves as important evidence that the in- ensuing projects that we plan to perform. Activation of the Barbaros Turkish Naval formation we provided during our presen- Task Group, four of our ships – the Gabya tations was not based on expected or Sectorial Strategy Document class frigate TCG GEDİZ, the Barbaros imagined capabilities, but rather on the will be Updated class frigate TCG ORUÇREİS, the MİLGEM actual capabilities of the products, as con- MSI TDR: The “2009-2016 Defence corvette TCG HEYBELİADA and the logis- firmed through actual usage. Industry Sectorial Strategy Document” tic support ship TCG YARBAY KUDRET Since the promotional activities per- states that all ship construction projects GÜNGÖR – visited ports in coastal Africa formed by the Barbaros Turkish Naval will, depending on the types of ship between March 17 and June 27, 2014. To Task Group, high-ranking military repre- to be built, be allocated to seven further develop its defence industry coop- sentatives of African nations have shown shipyards. In light of the recent decisions eration with African nations. Our Under- greater interest in the Turkish defence taken by the Defence Industry Executive secretariat, coinciding with the visits sector, with some having already visited Committee (SSIK), is it possible to say performed by the TDGG-14, organized Turkey and contacted some of our com- that this strategy is still applicable? promotion-oriented visits to Ghana, Nige- panies. In summary, I consider Sub-Saha- Serdar DEMİREL: The Sectorial Strategy ria, Angola, Tanzania and Kenya accom- ran Africa to be an important market for Document of our Undersecretariat can be panied by representatives of our defence the export of defence sector and security updated depending on any new require- sector companies. During these visits, we productions. ments that may appear over time. We are held meetings with top-ranking military currently in the process of updating the officials and authorities in coordination Countries have Different Sectorial Strategy Document, for which with our Ambassadors, and also organ- Expectations from A400M we are carrying out extensive evaluations ized promotional activities in which these MSI TDR: The process of the A400M’s and studies to create a final document military authorities participated. entry into the inventory of the Turkish that will not only delineate an overall pic- During these visits, we gave presentations Air Force (TurAF) has been relatively ture reflecting the current situation, but explaining the current state of our defence more complicated than the process will also shape and guide future develop- sector, as well as an overview of its sys- we observed in France. Turkey has ments. tems and products, and stated our inter- been very candid in sharing its stance 23 Given the status of the SSIK, which is a est and readiness to collaborate in joint concerning the issues that were central decision-making mechanism that production and joint development activi- encountered. In addition to this, many was established in accordance with Law ties, describing that it would be better if have asked why “the subjects about Number 3238 – the same law concerning our capabilities could be seen on-site, i.e. which Turkey was so sensitive about the establishment of our own institution, in Turkey. did not come up during the processes it is only natural that we take decisions With these visits, which were carried out in France?” What are your views and actions that it deems appropriate. for the first time in Sub-Saharan African concerning this issue? countries, we found the opportunity to de- Serdar DEMİREL: The A400M pro- MSI TDR: What are your views on the scribe to the relevant authorities the gramme is very important in terms of its possible effects on the defence sector of means and capabilities of the Turkish de- financial aspects, planned capabilities, the mission performed by the Barbaros fence sector, as well as its systems and and tactical and strategic dimensions. Turkish Naval Task Group (TDGG-14), products; and this had the effect of in- Turkey purchased 10 of these aircraft which visited the shores of Africa? Do you creasing awareness in the region of the within the scope of the programme, while believe that the sector was able to utilize level of development the Turkish defence France purchased 50; and as you may be www.milscint.com MSI Turkish Defence Review - April 2015 24 MSI Turkish Defence Review - April 2015 www.milscint.com MSI Turkish Defence Review -April 2015 the aircraft. spect totheacceptanceandapprovalof to differencesbetweencountrieswithre- lack ofsuchcharacteristicsmayalsolead teristics. Forthisreason,thepresenceor concerned withitscargo-carryingcharac- aircraft, whileBelgiummightbemore phasize thetacticalcharacteristicsof tries. Forexample,Germanymightem- Turkey whencomparedtoothercoun- this aircraftwouldproceeddifferentlyin ral thattheprocurementprocessesfor programme. Inthisregarditisonlynatu- determining thedecisionsrelatingto between countriesalsoplayedarolein requirements, andstrategicagreements tion oftheaircraft,tacticalandoperational In addition,differencesintheconfigura- budget cutsassociatedwitharecentlaw. were postponedtoalaterdatedue aware, thedeliveryoftheseairplanes development phase, beforetheaircraft tering suchproblems earlyoninthe lem canbesolved,Ibelievethat encoun- root causecanbeidentifiedand theprob- areas duringdevelopment.As longasthe difficulties withtheirengines orother platform projectstoencounter various Serdar DEMİREL: (F-X) project? National FighterAircraftDevelopment regarding thecurrentstateof please sharewithusyourviews situation fromthisangle,couldyou country’s inventory.Lookingatthe model inadditiontotheF-35 having asecondnewgenerationaircraft has demonstratedtheimportanceof unexpectedly highnumberofproblems– appears toberunningintoan project –aswellthefactthatit malfunction. Thecurrentstateofthis in thenewsrecentlyduetoanengine MSI TDR:TheF-35(JSF)projectwas © Airbus It ispossibleforair INTERVIEW duction signed by TAI. the agreementonHÜRKUŞ-B serialpro- enter theinventoryin2018according to rially producedaircraftisexpected to its preliminarydesignphase.The firstse- completed, andtheprojectiscurrently in System Requirementsphasehasbeen signed withTAIinDecember2013,the duction agreementforHÜRKUŞ-Bwas As youmayalreadyknow,theserialpro- Type Certificatebythebeginningof2016. thorities accordingly.Weplantoobtaina and arecarryingoutouractivitieswithau- eral DirectorateofCivilAviation(SHGM), ation SafetyAgency(EASA)andtheGen- specific schedulewiththeEuropeanAvi- is alsoongoing.Wehaveagreedupona craft inaccordancewiththeEASACS-23 hand, thecertificationprocessforair- mum speedwas295knots.Ontheother flights was30,300feet,whilethemaxi- maximum altitudereachedduringthese ing upatotalof172flighthours.The totypes haveperformed156flights,clock- two flyingprototypes.Asoftoday,thepro- HÜRKUŞ-A arecurrentlycontinuingwith ies arecurrentlyunderway. uary 7meeting,preliminarydesignstud- decision takenbytheSSIKduringitsJan- completed, andinaccordancewiththe Fighter AircraftProjecthavealreadybeen for thedevelopmentofNational the JSF.TheConceptualDesignstudies will worktogetherwithandcomplement craft projectistodevelopaplatformthat efit. OurgoalwiththeNationalFighterAir- actually entersservice,isofgreaterben- Serdar DEMİREL: about thelatestsituationwithHÜRKUŞ? MSI TDR:Couldyoupleaseinformus Flight testsforthe goal inthe Indigenous Helicopter Based ontheseexperiences, themain by ourowncompanies. tems havebeendevelopeddomestically other helicoptersystems.Allof thesesys- these systemswithoneanother andthe allowing thecompatiblefunctioningof tems, andalsoofmissioncomputers, tion, electronicwarfareandweaponssys- the integrationofcommunication,naviga- space sector.Inthisprojectwecompleted represents afirstinthedefenceandaero- single aerialplatform.Inthisrespect,it different electronicsystemLRUsintoa integration, involvingtheintegrationof42 cused mainlyonsystemdevelopmentand As youwillbeaware,theATAKprojectfo- continuing. two EarlyIntroductionHelicoptersare ceptance testactivitiesfortheremaining entered theinventoryofTLF,whileac- first sevenhelicopters,whichhavenow ance testshavebeencompletedforthe Within thescopeofthisproject,accept- currently ongoingones. rienced acquiredduringpastprojectsto our totransfertheknowledgeandexpe- TAF, we,astheUndersecretariat,endeav- timely deliveryofprojectoutcomestothe use ofthecountry’sresourcesand Serdar DEMİREL: Helicopter DevelopmentProgram? Project, whichisformallycalled transferred totheIndigenousHelicopter process? Howaretheselessons Would youliketocommentonthis of theeventsandpersonsinvolved. lesson forfutureprojects–independently will, undoubtedly,serveasanimportant delivery processoftheATAKproject MSI TDR:Theissuesencounteredinthe To ensuretheeffective A400M. received thefirst of theprogram,has export customer Malaysia, thefirst

INTERVIEW

© Utility Helicopter Project signed on February 21, 2014, included a MSI Defence Review Progressing According to Plan 16-month interval between the signing of MSI TDR: Within the Utility Helicopter the agreement and the beginning of the project, there are talks about programme schedule. Within this 16 transferring the “Gearbox Assembly” month period, main sub-contractor Siko- element of the works, which was rsky will, in accordance with US regula- previously part of TAI’s work share, to tions, conduct the necessary activities for Alp Aviation. Could you please share with supplying Export Licenses for the helicop- us the details of this development? ter components that will be subject to li- Serdar DEMİREL: In our projects, we censed production in Turkey, in line with constantly focus on coming up with solu- the project agreement. Sikorsky has al- tions that allow us to benefit optimally ready made its application for these li- from the capabilities of the entire sector censes, and the relevant processes are during the sharing or distribution of tasks. being followed closely by the two parties. TAI is a company that we expect to design There have as yet been no negative re- and produce helicopters that can compete sponses related to this process. Sikorsky around the world; it is an incontrovertible has also initiated the necessary organiza- fact that such a company should possess tional activities for ensuring that the li- the capabilities to come up with its own censes will be obtained on time, and our Programme was determined as the do- gearbox design. In fact, when we look at plans and expectations are that the li- mestic design and development of dy- European and American companies, we censes will be obtained in June 2015 – in namic systems such as the helicopter can see that they define the ability to design line with the project agreement. blade, transmission and rotor. In this area, and produce transmissions as a core “he- we are working to create a new structure, licopter design and production” capability. MSI TDR: Are there any other topics that building its foundations from “zero” or Having parties and sources outside the you would like to mention? “scratch”. main company carry out the routine man- Serdar DEMİREL: I would like to give me On the other hand, we are also working to ufacturing activities of established and sincere thanks to the MSI TDR team for ensure that the project progresses in a previously produced designs – in other this interview; your team allows us to con- sound and consistent manner based on words, having recourse to “outsourcing” nect and communicate not only with the the coordination of the contractor com- – has also become a prerequisite in the professional players in our industries, but pany and the relevant procurement au- present day manufacturing industry to en- also with those who have “given their thority, and through the constructive sure quality specialization and achieve hearts and minds to defence technolo- approaches that will be demonstrated by cost advantages. gies”. I have been following MSI TDR since these two parties. Within the frame of the In this context, we are currently conduct- my university years, when it was pub- Indigenous Helicopter Programme, ben- ing studies to determine a model that will lished under the name “M5”, and hope efit and loss analyses are also being car- ensure optimum benefit in the subject you that it will continue to be the voice of our ried out, together with the procurement have mentioned. sector for many years to come. authority, on the technical aspects of the programme. It is for this reason that the MSI TDR: In the Utility Helicopter Project, On behalf of our readers, we would like development process is being conducted what is the latest situation related to the to thank Serdar Demirel, the Deputy in close cooperation with the procurement export licenses that are expected from Undersecretary (Platform Projects) authority, with the user requirements Sikorsky? at the SSM, for taking the time to answer being agreed upon with the contractor at Serdar DEMİREL: The agreement for the our questions and for providing us with a technical level. Utility Helicopter Project, which was such valuable information.

TAF heavily utilizes the BLACK HAWK helicopters in its inventory. TAF will receive an updated version of the BLACK HAWK helicopters in the Turkish Utility Helicopter Program. 26 © TAF

MSI Turkish Defence Review - April 2015 www.milscint.com

We Must Develop a Planned and Programmed Export Strategy n parallel with its advances in other areas, Turkey has been making significant progress in the area of defence and aerospace. The Turkish defence and aerospace sector, which Irepresents the strength of new Turkey, continues to make significant gains in R&D, and in production and export performance. With annual R&D investments of approximately $1 billion and a highly qualified workforce, the Turkish defence and aerospace sector is – in a manner similar to defence and aerospace sectors worldwide – the driving force of Turkey’s technological development and progress. As annual production tops $5 billion, the Turkish defence and aerospace sector represents one of Turkey’s most important industrial, economic and strategic strengths and assets. While the Turkish Armed Forces were nearly 80 percent dependent on external suppliers at the beginning of the 2000s, its requirements are today largely met by the Turkish defence and aerospace sector. Based on its export performance of close to $2 billion last year, our defence and aerospace sector is becoming a candidate for the title of Turkey’s leading export sector. With plans to reach $25 billion in exports by 2023, our sector is moving towards this objective by achieving a yearly increase in exports that is well above the overall average for Turkey. In 2014, our sector’s exports increased by 18.7 percent on the previous year, reaching an export level of $1.647 billion. The Turkish defence and aerospace sector designs, develops and produces the most critical products and systems, from unmanned aerial vehicles to communication and observation satellites, from helicopters to trainer aircraft, from warships to infantry rifles, and from modernization projects to command and control systems. We meet many of the requirements of the Turkish Armed Forces (TAF) and the country’s law enforcement agencies; however, in the present day, we must reach beyond Turkey’s borders and in addition to meeting Turkey’s requirements, we must also increase our export performance. We, as the Defence and Aerospace Industry Exporters’ Association (SSI) and the Turkish Defence Alliance (TDA), are working with all our strength and dedication to increase the export performance of our industries, utilizing every available opportunity and platform to promote the capabilities of our members. In March 2015, we participated in the IWA Outdoor Classics exhibition in Germany, which is the world’s second largest shooting and outdoors fair. A total of 64 Turkish companies participated in the event, where the TDA opened an info-stand. The exhibition was organized on a total area of 86,000 m2 and attracted 1,383 national and international participants, and our Promotion Group and 64 companies representing Turkey took part with stands covering a total area of 3,000 m2. The IWA Outdoor Classics fair attracted over 41,000 visitors from around the world. Our government puts great emphasis on the nationalization of our defence and aerospace sector, the development of original defence products and the reduction of defence imports. In this context, we believe that important steps need to be taken to support export growth, allowing our sector to transform into a real asset for Turkey. To this end we must, as the stakeholders of this sector, work together to develop an export action plan in the form of a planned and programmed export strategy that covers all areas of our business, from marketing to communication, and from market analysis to promotional activities. Important developments are taking place in our region, and it is up to us to determine policies that take into account these changes and 28 potential developments in the upcoming period. On April 14–17, we, as the SSI, will be organizing participation at a national level together with the Undersecretariat for Defence Industries (SSM) at the LAAD’15 International Defence and Security Exhibition in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. I believe that together with our industry’s leading companies, we can represent our country in the best way possible at this event. Finally, I would also like to mention the 12th IDEF Exhibition, which this year will take place on May 5–8. IDEF, which is organized biennially in Istanbul, is a large and significant event that our industry looks forward to with great excitement. At IDEF, we will bring together the world’s leading defence companies and suppliers with those of Turkey. I hope that this year’s IDEF will be a huge success for our sector, and that it will contribute significantly to our export performance.

Latif Aral ALİŞ Chairman of the Board, Defence and Aerospace Industry Exporters’ Association Chairman of the Board, Turkish Defence Alliance

MSI Turkish Defence Review - April 2015 www.milscint.com

INTERVIEW TAI Making Steady Progress in the HÜRKUŞ Project Having to perform both the civilian certification activities and the military version development studies of the HÜRKUŞ concurrently, TAI is fully experiencing the technical and administrative challenges associated with aviation projects. Nevertheless, activities relating to the HÜRKUŞ continue to progress according to schedule. Concerning the latest situation with the activities on the A, B, and C versions of the HÜRKUŞ, we had the opportunity to obtain information from Özcan Ertem, Executive Vice President, Aircraft at TAI. Ümit BAYRAKTAR / [email protected]

Ümit BAYRAKTAR: Mr. Özcan Ertem, in recent days, the HÜRKUŞ has passed another important stage, and completed the “Maximum Load Application Step”, which was the last of the aircraft’s structural tests. Could you please share with us the details concerning this development? Özcan ERTEM: Of the four prototypes planned to be completed within the scope ©

of the project, we have subjected the one MSI Defence Review prepared specifically for structural tests to a load equivalent of several tons by using hydraulic systems. These tests function based on the following rationale: we first consider the maximum loads to which the aircraft will be subjected during its lifespan as a value of “100 percent”. though this was not actually required for volve the application of flights loads con- During its tests, the aircraft must be able certification purposes, we wanted to see tinuously – 24 hours a day – for a period of to tolerate 150 percent of these maximum how solid the aircraft is. When we reached several months by using hydraulic sys- loads without any damage. In addition to 190 percent, we began to observe perma- tems. The purpose of this test is to ob- this load, we also took into account a 17 nent bending on the aircraft. I would es- serve and analyse the effect of material 30 percent error margin, and gradually in- pecially like to emphasize the word fatigue on flight safety – before any of the creased the load up to a level of 175 per- “bending” here. At this load level, the aircrafts actually reach the number of cent. We subject the HÜRKUŞ to these plane still maintained its structural in- flight hours associated with this level of loads during the “Maximum Load Appli- tegrity as a single piece, and demon- fatigue. In the first stage, we will apply a cation Step”, and saw that it completed strated that it could tolerate a load nearly wear test corresponding to 30 percent of these tests successfully without its in- twice as high as the maximum loads it will the flight hours’ lifespan, which will be re- tegrity being affected. encounter during use. ported to the certification authorities, and By completing this test and showing its demonstrate that the aircraft is able to results to the officials of the Turkish Gen- Ümit BAYRAKTAR: Could you inform us maintain its structural integrity at this eral Directorate of Civil Aviation (SHGM) about the activities you will conduct level of wear. If we look at the entire and the European Aviation Safety Agency within the scope of the fatigue tests, process, we can see that fatigue tests ac- (EASA), we have effectively met the basic which constitutes one of the following tually continue for years. In this project, requirements for the HÜRKUŞ’ certifica- stages of the prototypes’ testing? we plan to complete 30 percent of the tion. Following this, we continued to test Özcan ERTEM: The fatigue test we will tests within six months. During this pe- the prototype with increasing loads; al- perform on the fourth prototype will in- riod, the test will be interrupted at times

MSI Turkish Defence Review - April 2015 www.milscint.com © TAI

to examine the structure of the aircraft; for example, we will check if there are any cracks in any section or part of the air- craft. These tests also serve to clarify which types of structural maintenance ac- tivities are necessary following a certain tant tests we will be performing in the up- types of tests that need to be number of flight hours. coming period is the spin test. In this test, performed; however, by completing the aircraft must demonstrate that it can, these critical tests, we will practically The Aircraft’s Design under the control of the test pilot, easily demonstrate that there are no critical Proves Itself enter and exit a spin. For this test, we will, points that need to be changed in the air- Ümit BAYRAKTAR: Could you enlighten as a safety requirement, add a temporary craft’s design. The remaining tests will us about the most recent situation with parachute to the aircraft. This parachute serve other functions, such as, for exam- the two prototypes used in the flight will open, if necessary, to stop the air- ple, providing data that will be used to tests, and also about the flight tests craft’s spin, after which it will detach from draw the performance graphs to be in- themselves? the aircraft. We plan to perform these cluded into the aircraft’s handbook. Özcan ERTEM: We are using our proto- tests during the summer months. The The performance tests we have performed types in different types of flight tests. In parachute systems have already been or- to date encompass approximately 60 per- accordance with the test program upon dered; once they’ve arrived, they will be cent of the test program. The two prototype which we have agreed with the certifica- integrated into prototype number 1. aircrafts have performed 160 sorties and tion authority, these two aircrafts will be Once we complete the spin test, we will approximately 180 flight hours to date. flown and tested whenever possible effectively complete all critical tests for Based on these tests, we were able to see 31 throughout 2015. One of the most impor- the aircraft. There are certainly other that we had developed the aircraft correctly.

F-35 flies with spin ©

chute, which is Lockheed Martin temporarily fitted between vertical stabilizers for spin tests.

www.milscint.com MSI Turkish Defence Review - April 2015 INTERVIEW

plete the certification process relating to ©

TAI the differences of the HÜRKUŞ version B from version A, and provide 15 of these aircrafts to the Turkish Air Force Com- mand (TurAF). We are currently in the eighth month of this 48-month project. During this period, we performed the Sys- tem Requirements Review and the Avion- ics Preliminary Design meetings according to the planned schedule. We plan to perform the Aircraft Preliminary Design meeting in March. Our goal is to deliver the aircrafts on time. Both we and ASELSAN are doing our best to ensure Approximately 60 percent of the tests planned for the test programme of HÜRKUŞ has been completed. this. HÜRKUŞ version B has the same structural and aerodynamic characteris- Of course, as is the case in all develop- Ümit BAYRAKTAR: Who is currently tics as version A; only their avionics are ment programs, we also performed cer- flying the prototypes? different. For this reason, we will not re- tain modifications on the HÜRKUŞ during Özcan ERTEM: Flights with the 2nd proto- peat the tests with version B that we al- the test program. For example, in order to type are performed alternatingly by Murat ready performed on version A – such as increase the stability of the aircraft, we Özpala and Murat Keleş. In the meantime, the spin test, and structural tests. In ver- made a structural addition to its wing tips. we performed maintenance work on the sion B, our work will include activities 1st prototype for a period of approximately aiming to demonstrate that the avionic Ümit BAYRAKTAR: Could you please one month; the aircraft then resumed its systems have been properly placed on the further elaborate your statement that flight in February. aircraft and they are functioning properly, “there are no critical points that need to and that the aircraft is capable of flying be changed in the aircraft’s design”? Ümit BAYRAKTAR: Was this one-month safely. According to the agreement, the Özcan ERTEM: Aircrafts inevitably expe- maintenance for the 1st prototype an certification concerning the differences of rience certain changes and modifications activity that was planned beforehand? version B avionics will be provided by a during their life cycle. Looking at the F-16, Özcan ERTEM: In the 1st prototype, there “Turkish Military Authority” consisting of for example, we can see that there are were a number of non-critical subsystems officials from the TurAF and SSM. various versions of the aircraft, such as that we had deliberately not activated. the Block 15, 30, 40, 50, and 60. However, This prototype’s first 100 sorties were per- Ümit BAYRAKTAR: We would like to ask between these versions, the main charac- formed using simpler systems. For exam- you a question concerning a subject that teristics of the aircraft – those that would ple, instead of the oxygen production unit is very frequently discussed in these be extremely difficult to modify – have al- that is part of the aircraft’s standard con- days: Will it be possible to shorten the ways remained the same. With the figuration, a system utilizing oxygen tubes schedule for the HÜRKUŞ B? HÜRKUŞ, we have already completed the was initially employed. Following this Özcan ERTEM: The current schedule has, stall tests of the aircraft. These tests ef- maintenance activity, the oxygen produc- beyond any doubt, been devised based on fectively answered any questions regard- tion system – which was present and ac- certain conditions and considerations. ing the adequacy of the wing area for tive in the 2nd prototype aircraft since its Changes in two different subjects have the low-speed flights. Thus, we did not en- first flight – was rendered functional in the potential to affect the schedule as defined counter any negative results or observa- 1st prototype aircraft as well. in the agreement: tions that would have required us to go 1. According to the current agreement, back and review the aircraft’s basic de- Schedule may Vary Depending TAI and the subcontractors are undergo- sign. on Changing Conditions ing very rigorous inspections by the TurAF 32 Ümit BAYRAKTAR: What is the current and the SSM. In the ongoing project for Ümit BAYRAKTAR: Do you have any plans stage of your activities with respect to version A, the EASA observed that the concerning the participation of the the project schedule? TAI’s design organization has worked very HÜRKUŞ to fairs and air shows in 2015? Özcan ERTEM: The Turkish Primary and well not only for activities conducted Özcan ERTEM: After our decision to com- Basic Trainer Aircraft Development Proj- within TAI, but also for the inspection of plete the necessary test flights so that we ect, in which we are developing the A ver- subcontractors. For this reason, it has could complete the relevant certification sion of the HÜRKUŞ, will be completed given TAI the task of inspecting the soft- process by the end of 2015, we’ve decided with the production and certification of two ware that is currently being used in the not to take the HÜRKUŞ to the Paris Air flying and two structural prototypes. We aircraft. In other words, the EASA is not Show. Since there is no airport near the ex- expect to complete the certification inspecting the subcontractors developing hibition area of IDEF, we do not have the process by the end of this year. the software for HÜRKUŞ; instead, this in- chance to display the aircraft statically; we Within the scope of the New Generation spection is being performed by TAI, which therefore plan to perform low-altitude Basic Trainer Aircraft Procurement proj- then reports to the EASA. This mechanism flights with the aircraft over the exhibition ect signed with the Undersecretariat for can be used for the HÜRKUŞ B, as well, area. Defence Industries (SSM), we will com- with TAI performing, as the prime con-

MSI Turkish Defence Review - April 2015 www.milscint.com tractor, the inspection of the subcontrac- a trainer aircraft together with a fighter air- tors on behalf of the procurement and craft. As the technical characteristics of certification authorities. This will help ac- these two aircrafts were being listed by the celerate the schedule for the HÜRKUŞ. TurAF, the question was: “could a single 2. HÜRKUŞ B will have more complex solution meet both requirements?” T-38 and capable avionic systems that are not and F-5 aircrafts are the classical exam- present in the T-37 aircraft. However, ples of this. These two designs are very rather than implementing all of these ad- similar to one another. With its stronger ditional system capabilities at once, leav- engines, landing gear and weapon-carry- ing certain non-critical functions for ing capacity, the F-5 assumes combat mis- future versions of the system - as ob- sions, while the T-38 is used for training served in certain examples abroad - might purposes. We evaluated whether the also contribute to accelerating the sched- TurAF’s future needs for jet trainer and ule for the HÜRKUŞ. fighter aircraft could be met by platforms These changes that I have just described that were 60 to 70 percent similar. For two might enable the delivery of the first air- years, the TurAF listed its requirements, crafts by the 30th month after the decision while we worked on the solution that would for the changes. This will at least give ad- meet these requirements. The following ditional time for the instructors to famil- decision was finally reached: there is little iarize themselves with the use of the chance for the future jet trainer aircraft and aircraft, thus saving some time. fighter aircraft requirements to be met by two aircrafts derived from the same plat- Ümit BAYRAKTAR: Aside from version B, form. Thus, we determined, based on our which you have mentioned, there is also conceptual studies, that two different air- a C version of the HÜRKUŞ, which is crafts that are fully independent from one expected to be armed. What is the latest another in terms of design are necessary. situation with this version? We then performed a situation assessment Özcan ERTEM: The project agreement of based on this consideration. Based on our the New Generation Trainer Aircraft Pro- country’s limitations in terms of human re- curement project stipulates the following sources, and the difficulties in conducting obligation for us: after the Turkish Armed two aircraft development studies parallel Forces (TAF) described its requirements to one another, we made the strategic de- and operational concept concerning the C cision to place greater emphasis on the version, we will perform conceptual de- studies and activities for the fighter aircraft. sign studies to determine how these re- How the jet trainer aircraft will be devel- quirements can be met. For example, we oped will be determined based on the de- will determine the number of weapon cision of our government. There are some hardpoints that this version will have important developments currently taking under its wings and which electro-optical place around the world, which we are detectors will be added beneath its fuse- closely monitoring. For example, the lage. According to our current calcula- United States Air Force (USAF) is expected tions, the HÜRKUŞ can easily carry the to join a tender for the procurement of new same loads as the products of our com- jet trainer aircrafts that will replace the petitors. According to the agreement, aging T-38s in 2016 and to make its final after the TAF documents and lists its re- decision concerning this tender in 2017. quirements, we will have to complete the Even if Turkey does not develop its own in- relevant conceptual design studies within digenous jet trainer aircraft, it can still use a period of 18 months. These studies and a pre-existing product as a basis and start- activities will not affect the schedule for ing point, and adapt it according to its own the HÜRKUŞ version B. needs, as was the case with the ATAK proj- ect. These topics will certainly require im- Ümit BAYRAKTAR: Finally, while we are portant decisions for the decision-making discussing your activities relating to the authorities; as such, we are patiently wait- training aircraft, I also would like to ask you ing for the decision of our government. about the latest situation concerning your studies on the development of a trainer On behalf of our readers, we would like aircraft for the Jet Trainer and Fighter to thank Özcan Ertem, Executive Vice Aircraft Conceptual Design project. President, Aircraft at TAI, for taking the Özcan ERTEM: The Jet Trainer and time to answer our questions and for Fighter Aircraft Conceptual Design project providing us with such valuable initially envisaged the joint development of information. www.milscint.com IDEX 2015 SPECIAL Turkish Defence Sector Passes IDEX with Success Şebnem ASİL / [email protected] The International Defence Exhibition Ümit BAYRAKTAR / [email protected] Birol TEKİNCE / [email protected] and Conference (IDEX), considered as Vehbi TUNCA / [email protected] one of the world’s largest and most he first IDEX exhibition, organized in 1993, hosted 350 com- panies from 24 countries on an exhibition area of 12,000 m2. important defence industry exhibitions, TOn the other hand, the IDEX 2013 exhibition and the concur- opened its doors for the 12th time on rent NAVDEX exhibition for naval systems hosted 1112 companies from 59 countries, and received over 80,000 visitors. This year, IDEX February 22–26 at the Abu Dhabi provided services to participating companies with its 12 exhibition halls comprising 35,000 m2 of enclosed areas. Held concurrently National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) in with IDEX 2015 were two other exhibitions: the NAVDEX exhibition, Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United with specific focus on naval systems; and the UMEX exhibition, or- ganized for the first time this year, specifically for the unmanned Arab Emirates (UAE). Although systems sector. The combined exhibition area of the three events, participation was not organized at a taking into account also the land vehicle and helicopter demonstra- tion areas, measured an impressive 133,000 m2. national level this year by Turkey due In addition to many international defence sector companies from around the world, many heads of states, ministers of defence, chiefs to current state of relations between

MSI Defence Review of general staff, force commanders, military and civilian experts, the two countries, Turkish companies

© and press organizations showed great interest in the exhibition. The organizers of the event provided the following statistics con- nevertheless showed a significant cerning the exhibition: participation and presence at the n The exhibition was visited by over 100,000 people and 159 delegations. exhibition owing to the importance n 1,200 companies from 56 countries opened stands during the exhibition. of their activities within the region. n Japan, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Lithuania, New Zealand, Slovenia and Azerbaijan participated in the exhibition for the first time. n Unless otherwise stated, all photographs: 850 members of the media from 250 media organizations

followed the event. © Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Company

34

MSI Turkish Defence Review - April 2015 www.milscint.com F-16 Weapons Tactics Trainer was placed on the centre of HAVELSAN’s stand.

Industry Prevents Any Cooling of Relations Although the stands of the Turkish companies were not visited by any official UAE delegations during the event, unlike last year, as a result of the current state of relations between the two countries, relations were nevertheless kept warm and amicable through un- official visits. Making no reduction in the size or position of their stands compared to last year, the leading companies from the Turkish defence and aerospace sector demonstrated that they ac- corded the necessary importance to this event. Relations with other countries were highly successful during the exhibition, with Turkish companies receiving and conducting important meetings with var- ious delegations from other countries in the region. The event was visited by several department heads of the Under- secretariat for Defence Industries (SSM), who offered their support to the Turkish companies, and who engaged in various discussions and meetings of their own at the exhibition. A four-person team from MSI Turkish Defence Review followed the events at the exhi- bition, and in the following pages we will present to our readers news from the event and from the meetings we held, and will pro- ARES displayed a model of its boat design for coast guard applications. This boat is vide detailed information from our discussions with officials. popular among the countries of the region.

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www.milscint.com MSI Turkish Defence Review - April 2015 IDEX 2015 SPECIAL

ASELSAN’s Active IDEX Schedule SELSAN was among the Acompanies that benefitted the most from the event by signing three agreements with business partners from three continents. First was the sign- ing of a Memorandum of Un- derstanding with Honeywell, according to which the two companies will make joint stud- ies of avionics for civilian and military applications. With this agreement, ASELSAN takes an important step in expanding further its activities into civilian areas. The two companies will conduct and manage their co- operation through an executive committee and various working groups. The second agreement con- cerned the transfer of technol- ogy to Jordan for the production of software-based radios. Within the scope of the Memorandum of Understanding, which was signed between ASELSAN, the King Abdullah II Design and De- velopment Bureau (KADDB) and the ASELSAN Middle East (AME) joint venture formed by these two entities, the parties have n Four or eight ready-to-fire LMMs, agreed to the production of ASELSAN’s software-based radios in n A pedestal stabilized on two axes, Jordan through a technology transfer deal, and will look into the n An electro-optic suite stabilized independently of the pedestal, possibility of establishing radio production lines at the AME. and capable of automatic target tracking, ASELSAN’s final agreement at the exhibition was signed with n A laser rangefinder. Thales. The two companies have been engaged in studies since Featured at ASELSAN’s stand during the exhibition was the new 2010 to come up with a solution that combines Thales’ Lightweight double-weapon version of the SARP remote-controlled weapon Multi-role Missiles (LMM) with ASELSAN’s remote-controlled sta- station, which, in addition to its 12.7 mm machine gun, is mounted tion and electro-optic systems. Firing tests with the system were also with a co-axial 5.56 mm machine gun. made last year, with great success. The new cooperation agree- During the event we had the opportunity to speak to Dr. Faik Eken, ment signed during the IDEX event encompasses the continuation President & CEO of ASELSAN, who shared with us his thoughts 36 of system development activities, as well as the execution of new concerning the agreement signed with Thales, and the cooperation firing tests, especially within the context of naval applications. The agreements that ASELSAN has signed recently: “The joint activi- general characteristics of this system are as follows: ties we initiated with Thales in 2010 were more oriented towards the United Arab Emirates (UAE), but now we are expanding these activities to encompass other countries. In fact, we are looking to grow and expand in the export markets through such cooperative activities, and so our primary goal is to expand our share of ex- ports, as well as our effectiveness in the export market. In recent years, the ratio of exports in our turnover has reached 22 percent; however, we do not consider this to be sufficient. The 25 percent ratio target that was set years ago now stand ahead of us as an at- tainable target, since reaching this goal is nowadays feasible. I be- lieve that, in time, this ratio should be further increased towards 50 percent. To this end, we need larger projects and larger system integration projects in particular. We need to engage in more co-

MSI Turkish Defence Review - April 2015 www.milscint.com operative activities within this area, as we cannot achieve this target on our own, just by sign- ing small-scale agreements. To this end, we must use coopera- tion as means of attaining this target, and we have contacts with many different companies, and are considering and re- searching what we can do with each of them.” Dr. Eken shared the following thoughts concerning the exhibition: “This exhibition has been very nologies, and that meetings for this project were currently ongoing successful for us, and there are many advantages of being here. in accordance with the SSM’s directives. Dr. Eken said that many IDEX is geographically close to many of the countries, in which we meetings had been held to improve the offers for this project. He are already conducting business, and so there was significant par- said further that they were currently working with ROKETSAN and ticipation at this event from those countries, and we were in close other companies for the development of an original solution for contact with those participants. We held meetings with companies low- and medium-altitude air defence systems, and that their ac- with which we are currently working in Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and tivities in the ÇAFRAD project had assisted greatly in these efforts. UAE, and as the Turkish defence sector, we once again displayed Dr. Eken also mentioned ASELSAN’S endeavours in the commu- our flag at IDEX. I believe that this exhibition has been very positive nication systems sector: “In the area of software-based radios, we for us, and we benefitted a great deal by participating.” have completed the development of the naval HF radio, and our ASELSAN’s activities at an international level led its products to product has entered the relevant inventories. Our land HF radios be on display at a number of different stands during the event. are already in use, but we are now looking to complete the devel- Speaking on this issue, Dr. Eken said: “This is indeed a source of opment of the VHF and HF radios for aerial platforms, and the test- great pleasure for us. Today at this exhibition, ASELSAN has its ing of these devices is going quite well. All in all, we are about to own stand displaying its own products; however, at the end of this complete the full development of our full solution, comprising the hall, you also have MIC from Saudi Arabia displaying ASELSAN’s land, sea and air VHF and HF radio product family. In addition to products at its stand; at the centre of the hall you can find NRTC this, we are working on the TASMUS system for the development from Pakistan, which is also showcasing our products. Further- of a network solution, and there is also a radio link that we have more, the stand of IGG from UAE is displaying fruits of our part- developed for the TASMUS system that allows IP communication nership, namely the remote-controlled stabilized weapon station at 100 megabits and above. Elsewhere, we are also conducting mounted with a grenade launcher, and another stabilized station studies on 4G for mainly public safety and commercial purposes, solution developed based on the and we will eventually utilize these studies for military applications, IGLA; and on the Jordanian and develop a high-speed waveform for software-based radios. stand you can find the products On the professional side, we have signed agreements for three re- of ASELSAN Middle East. gions within the frame of our JEMUS project, and we are also con- Nowadays, we are beginning to tinuing our activities for public safety institutions. Another step that see more and more examples is very important for us – and is a significant source of pride and of ASELSAN’s global and re- pleasure – is our involvement with both the X-band and Ku-band gional cooperation at such systems of the TÜRKSAT 6A project. This was a really important events, and this is very pleasing turning point for us, since it has allowed us to become a leading for us. I believe that this devel- address in Turkey for transponders. There is, of course, also the opment increases the confi- GÖKTÜRK-3 project, for which we wish to develop the SAR pay- Dr. Faik Eken, dence of potential partners in load.” General Manager of ASELSAN ASELSAN, since the presence We asked Dr. Eken his thoughts concerning the IDEF 2015 exhibi- of so many concrete examples tion: “For us, IDEF has always been a place where we launch new 37 of its cooperation demonstrates how determined ASELSAN is to products and technologies. We see IDEF as our principal event, share and develop technology jointly. This is the direction in which and any other approach would be unthinkable for us. In this regard, we wish to progress. We do not wish to be perceived solely as a we will bring and display at IDEF many of the products we plan to product supplier, especially in this region, as we also want to be- launch this year. I believe that IDEF will allow us to demonstrate come technology partners. We hope that our cooperation with po- quite effectively our current position, especially in our studies in tential partners can also result in technological gains for the the area of air defence. I personally place great importance on countries of the region, and it is this on which our main strategy is electronic warfare, and there are many subjects being currently based. Seeing concrete examples of the implementation of this discussed concerning this issue. Furthermore, we have also de- strategy’s is really great, and makes us genuinely happy. We hope veloped a number of new electronic warfare systems for land plat- to increase the number of such examples in the upcoming years.” forms, and these will also be on display at IDEF. Aside from this, We also had the opportunity to discuss some of ASELSAN’s ongoing we have new products in the area of electro-optics and communi- projects with Dr. Eken. Concerning the Long-Range Air and Missile cation, and a mobile secure base region solution which, in our Defence System Project, Dr. Eken said that they would prefer a opinion, provides very useful and valuable services, and we also form of cooperation that would allow Turkey to acquire new tech- plan to display this system effectively during IDEF.” www.milscint.com MSI Turkish Defence Review - April 2015 IDEX 2015 SPECIAL

BMC Returns sulted in loss of life, and that the vehicle has thus proven itself on MC, which came under the management of its new owners on the battlefield. BAugust 19, 2014 following its transfer to the Saving Deposit In- BMC is continuing its activities surance Fund (TMSF), participated at IDEX with the KİRPİ and the to improve the KİRPİ. In addition 6x6 Tactical Wheeled Vehicle. Answering our questions, Nadi Pos- to updates of its protective ca- toğlu, the Head of BMC Defence Industry Department, shared with pabilities in accordance with us the latest developments in the KİRPİ project, as well as the newly developing and emerging company’s current and future plans. threats, there are also studies BMC made the final delivery in the KİRPİ project last February, for the integration of a remote- with the delivery of the last of a total of 614 KİRPİ vehicles to Turk- controlled weapon station onto Nadi Postoğlu, the Head of BMC Defence ish Land Forces Command and Turkish Gendarmerie General the vehicle, and BMC is plan- Industry Department Command. A further 40 vehicles have been produced for Tunisia. ning to display such a configuration at IDEF 2015. The product to Postoğlu shared his thoughts concerning the vehicle: “There are be used on the vehicle will be determined after the necessary tests, many similar vehicles at the exhibition, although finding one with while further studies are continuing for the integration of additional similar protective capabilities as the KİRPİ and with such a high items of equipment that are capable of identifying and destroying troop carrying capacity, one that has been tested on the field and mines around the KİRPİ. BMC has already completed preliminary exposed previously to mine and ballistic attacks in which it pro- design activities for this item, in accordance with customer re- tected the lives of all its passenger soldiers, is difficult.” Postoğlu quests. said that the KİRPİ platforms in the inventory of Turkish Armed Another vehicle on display at the exhibition was the 10-ton 6x6 Forces (TAF) Command have been subject to approximately 40 Wheeled Tactical Vehicle. Speaking about this vehicle, Postoğlu mine attacks, and countless instances of long-barrelled weapon said: “The vehicle has passed its tests in the deserts of Saudi Ara- attacks, while the vehicles in Tunisia have been subject to three bia and Tunisia and has also completed its tests in the desert and mine attacks. He emphasized that none of these events had re- mountainous environments of Pakistan. We believe that we will capture an important market with this vehicle.” BMC has also received an order of 60 vehicles from the Turkish National Police for its 4x4 tactical vehicle named VURAN, with deliveries due to begin within this year. The new version 38 of the VURAN will be close to the configuration presented in previous years. Another vehicle that BMC has been working on is the TOMA. According to Postoğlu, BMC has, based on its own tactical wheeled vehicle de- signs, developed a five-ton, 4x4 configuration of the TOMA with armoured cabins. The com- pany will be delivering 181 TOMA vehicles to the Turkish National Police. BMC’s export activities are focused on the Middle East, Africa and the Far East, and the company, which currently has 1,300 employ- ees, is making preparations to open Research KİRPİ was displayed with and Development Centres in both Izmir and “Combat Proven” banners Istanbul.

MSI Turkish Defence Review - April 2015 www.milscint.com n Shock-absorbing body protection gear (known as “Robocop”) for security forces, n Protective shields for ERATAŞ Shields Draw security forces, n Truncheons, and Attention n Protective gloves. n addition to manufacturing personal protective gear for industrial Participating at IDEX for the Iapplications, ERATAŞ also produces helmets, shields and body second time, the company armour for security forces, using 100 percent domestic raw mate- took the opportunity to meet both current and potential customers. rials and inputs. ERATAŞ supplies products and services to the The company representatives at the event said that their shield Turkish National Police, Turkish Gendarmerie General Command products – which can be produced at any length, width and thick- and a number of different export markets. Appearing at IDEX 2015, ness – drew great attention during the exhibition, and that the con- ERATAŞ displayed the following products at its stand: tacts they had established after the exhibition had been interested n Shock-absorbing helmets and accessories for security forces, mainly in this product. IDEX 2015 SPECIAL

FNSS Maintains Warm Relations and Seeks New Business Opportunities NSS can be considered a host in the UAE, with 133 armoured Fcombat vehicles delivered to the country in four different con- figurations, and with an office opened 15 years ago in Abu Dhabi to provide logistic support for these vehicles. At IDEX 2015, FNSS displayed a number of new products, and held important meet- ings with delegations from other countries in the region. FNSS published press releases before the exhibition about the new products it would be displaying at the event, and this proved to be a very successful media approach, drawing considerable attention to these products even before the opening of the exhibition. The CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear) and mass spectrometre units for the detailed evaluation Reconnaissance version of FNSS’ 6x6 PARS vehicle unveiled for of samples. the first time at IDEX. The vehicle carries a crew of four, including n Against biological agents: Equipment providing continuous a driver, a team or vehicle commander, and two CBRN operators, detection capabilities, as well as equipment for collecting although there are seats for additional personnel. The vehicle, and evaluating samples for detailed analysis. which has currently been developed as a prototype, has the fol- n Against radiological and nuclear threats: Gamma radiation 40 lowing characteristics: detector, on-board and hand-carried detectors. n Ability to detect chemical agents and toxic industrial n Two wheeled external sample collection units that permit the substances over long distances, continuous collection of samples. n Ability to detect radiation, n A system for marking hazardous areas. n Ability to detect and identify biological agents, n A Central Processing Unit that integrates all detection and n Protective system compatible with NATO’s AEP-54 standard, identification operations. This unit can send information n Integrated with a remote-controlled weapon station that regarding the location of threats to other units in the can be equipped with a 40 mm grenade launcher and a ATP 45 format. 12.7 mm or a 7.62 mm machine gun (the vehicle displayed FNSS emphasizes that the PARS 8x8 can also be configured as a at the event was mounted with ASELSAN’s SARP system). CBRN reconnaissance vehicle, and that vehicle can either carry The vehicle carries the following equipment: more crew on-board or allow the utilization on additional equipment. n Against chemical agents: Three chemical detection units, able Another product displayed at the fair by FNSS was the one-man to analyse the interior and exterior of the vehicle a long-distance SABER turret. FNSS – which has to date delivered more than detection unit using laser technology that is capable of detecting 120 one-man stabilized turrets, and possesses over 15 years of substances from a distance of 5 km; and gas chromatography design and production experience in this area – has been devel-

MSI Turkish Defence Review - April 2015 www.milscint.com oping the SABER turret since 2013 using exclusively its own resources. The SABER system can carry medium calibre weapons, and may be used on both tracked and wheeled vehi- cles. Based on its drive and fire control systems, the SABER boasts the most up-to-date technologies in terms of effi- ciency and protection. Com- pared to the previous generation turrets of FNSS, the SABER achieves a 60 percent greater internal volume with only a tween countries can change depending on daily events; they can 10 percent increase in external dimensions, although the external improve or worsen for time to time, but what matters most are size can be increased with the installation of additional equipment. the friendships that draw their strength from history. It seems to Its larger internal volume also improves the ergonomics for the be that the friendship Turkey has cultivated with its friends in the gunner. The turret is mounted with an ATK 25 mm M242 Double- region is far more important than temporary disagreements; Fed Advanced Bushmaster Autocannon, and can carry therefore, we hope and expect that this period of disagreement 240 (150+90) ready-to-fire rounds. The turret also has a 7.62 mm will soon end. This situation is not sustainable, and benefits no machine gun co-axial with the main weapon with 600 rounds. The one. In this context, we, as the Turkish defence sector, have par- turret also features three smoke mortars on either side. ticipated to this fair and done our part in reminding everyone of The SABER fire control system includes a third-generation long- the enduring and lasting nature or medium-waveband thermal imager, two periscopes, a tele- of the friendship between our scopic viewing system, a laser rangefinder effective to a range of two countries. We did not come 8,000m and ballistic calculation capabilities. The fully electrical here solely with the expectation drive system, stabilized on two axes, allows movement from an of finding business opportuni- angle of -8 degrees to +48 degrees along the vertical axis. ties; we are here mainly to With its aluminium armour and additional steel or ceramic ar- demonstrate the importance mour plates, the SABER provides STANAG 4569 Level 4 protec- that Turkey attaches to this tion, and FNSS plans to complete the qualification activities of the region. turret within the summer of 2015. Kurt said that the products they Another new development at the FNSS stand was the participation had on display were intended of FNSS Middle East – FNSS’ joint venture company conducting for the countries of the region, K. Nail Kurt, M113 modernization projects in Saudi Arabia – for the first time General Manager and that some of the delega- at a fair outside Saudi Arabia in order to promote its capabilities. of FNSS tions they had met prior to the During the exhibition, we had the opportunity to meet with K. Nail exhibition had specifically re- Kurt, General Manager & CEO of FNSS. Speaking about IDEX quested to see them. “We brought these products to the fair be- 2015, Kurt said: “With its last two outings, IDEX has definitely be- cause we determined that a very close, large and friendly country come the largest exhibition in the region. The facility in which the had a strong requirement for them. We would have liked to bring fair is organized has certainly played an important role in its de- more vehicles and products with us, but they all had to be in other velopment, and in addition to this, the organizers of the event have places during the timeframe of this fair,” said Kurt. the financial strength to provide the necessary logistic support. While talking about the SABER turret, we also asked Kurt about The combination of a good infrastructure and facility and profes- the CLAW Remote Controlled Turret (RCT) project. He said that sional organizational capabilities has led to excellent results. In CLAW combines the skills of FNSS and ASELSAN, and that, al- this regard, the importance and success of this exhibition comes though the project may appear to be progressing slowly from out- as no surprise.” side, both companies are conducting very important studies, and 41 Kurt shared his views regarding the current cooling of diplomatic that these may gain further momentum in the event of potential relations between Turkey and the UAE: “Diplomatic relations be- customers being found. FNSS’ activities with DEFTECH concerning the AV8 project in Malaysia are currently ongoing. In this project, which involves 12 different configurations, three have already entered the pro- duction stage, and one has been fully delivered. The delivery of the other configurations is expected to take place during the spring of 2015. Kurt concluded our mini-interview with the following statement: “As FNSS, we will continue to maintain our presence in the region and we will even endeavour to increase it further. I can see that there is a very significant potential in this region, and for this rea- son I would like to emphasize that we will work to ensure our con- tinued growth here, in the Far East and also in Turkey.” www.milscint.com MSI Turkish Defence Review - April 2015 IDEX 2015 SPECIAL

The new version of KAYA, featuring 13-tons maximum loaded weight and single cabin.

Otokar’s Modular Solutions Appeals to a Broad Range of Customers t IDEX 2015, Otokar exhibited an ARMA 8x8 vehicle equipped only from the Gulf Region, they also come from Asia, the Far East, Awith an ÜÇOK turret, an ARMA 6x6 equipped with an BOZOK Africa and Europe. Thus, IDEX’s allows you to easily reach many turret, an amphibious version of the COBRA II and a new single- different delegations and to conduct talks in a very comfortable cabined version of the KAYA Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected environment. Delegations sometimes arrive to IDEX after the first (MRAP), which has a maximum weight of 13 tons. Of these vehicles, two days. At exhibitions organized in France or the United King- the ARMA 6x6 and COBRA II were brought to the exhibition from dom, it is generally difficult to find any delegations after the second local testing campaigns, temporarily disrupting these vehicles’ day; here, on the other hand, you can arrange meetings with del- testing activities; the two other vehicles were brought to the United egations even on the third day. We believe this exhibition possesses Arab Emirates (UAE) from Turkey. The COBRA II vehicle has re- a distinct international reach and appeal. In addition, as you may cently been subjected to warm climate condition testing and am- well know, many of our vehicles are currently being used in the phibious testing in a Gulf country. The vehicle has covered a Gulf countries. IDEX is a suitable place for meeting with the parties distance of 5,000 km during these tests and successfully com- using our vehicles and to learn about their new plans and pro- pleted open sea floating tests. Among the turrets displayed at grammes. We had the opportunity to meet with many important Otokar’s stand, the ÜÇOK at- delegations and learned the latest developments regarding both tracted particular attention with about our ongoing projects and potential new projects. IDEX has 42 its visual system possessing thus been a very productive event for us.” two independent axes of move- We also learned from Görgüç about the latest situation with ment, which is unusual in Otokar’s ALTAY, TULPAR, COBRA II and URAL projects, as well as remote-controlled weapon sta- its turret projects. The ALTAY project, which is currently at the pro- tions. totype development and qualification stage, acceptance tests are During the exhibition, we had focusing on the PV1 and PV2 prototypes; tests on the PV1 prototype the opportunity to talk with Ser- are mainly focussed on the area of mobility, while the PV2 proto- dar Görgüç, the General Man- type will perform firing tests. However, there will also be cases Serdar Görgüç, ager of Otokar, who shared his General Manager where the PV1 will take part in firing tests and the PV2 will undergo thoughts on the exhibition: “For of Otokar certain mobility tests. The PV2 is ready for testing but will be used us, IDEX is one of the most im- after some tests on the PV1 have been completed. System quali- portant international exhibitions. It has been continually growing fication tests on the PV1 are expected to begin in March. The proj- in size, particularly over the past 10 years. Although the number ect involves intensive test programmes – some tests are of participants is not excessive, the delegations visiting the exhibi- performed at night. Tests will be carried out on a 24-hour a day, 7- tion are very important ones; in addition, these delegations are not day a week basis. Although system tests are currently being done,

MSI Turkish Defence Review - April 2015 www.milscint.com some of the sub-systems can only be tested on the system itself due to physical limitations. Consequently, tests for these sub-sys- tems will be performed concurrently with the system tests. Tests for the TULPAR project are also continuing at a steady pace. Designed as a family of products, with the vehicles weighing from 25 to 40 tons, TULPAR’s first 35-ton prototype was introduced at IDEF 2013; in mid-2014, a new 28-ton version was added to the test schedule. The TULPAR normally has seven wheels, although a six- wheeled version can also be produced thanks to its suspension design. While conducting tests on the TULPAR, Otokar is also mak- ing preparations for production and promotion. Several countries have already applied for vehicle testing or requested vehicle per- formance demonstrations. COBRA II is another example of Otokar’s modular approach. The vehicle’s engine compartment was designed by Otokar to accom- modate two engines with different powers; therefore, the vehicle can accommodate different engines for various regions and oper- ational weights. Görgüç noted that two vehicles, each equipped with two different engines, recently underwent various tests in dif- ferent regions. Görgüç also share the following thoughts on the delivery of Otokar’s URAL vehicle to the Turkish National Police (EGM): “Our first agreement with the EGM was signed in 1987, a delivery of 140 Land Rovers. Almost immediately afterwards, an additional 125 vehicles were purchased by the EGM. Since then, we have deliv- ered thousands of vehicles to the EGM. Through talks, we came to a better understanding of their needs and requirements. Each of the various EGM departments requires different types of vehicles and manoeuvrability; some of them need to move through narrow streets, heavy traffic areas, or villages and towns. We have a vehi- cle model that can enter such environments and terrains. There are missions, for example, that require that the vehicle travel at high speeds on a highway and then be able to continue travelling on rough terrain. The URAL is an example of such a vehicle, which is why it has received such high praise. Vehicles capable of satis- fying the type of requirement I just mentioned are not just needed in Turkey, but in other countries as well. We have, in fact, made demonstrations of the URAL in three different countries.” Otokar also continues to develop its turret and remote-controlled weapons station product family, designed for use in Otokar vehi- cles. The MIZRAK turrets used in TULPAR and ARMA vehicles were exhibited at IDEF 2013 with a 30 mm cannon. All testing and qualification requirements for the MIZRAK have recently been completed. While this cannon is suitable for firing NATO-standard ammunition, Otokar is also designing and testing a version that is compatible with and meet the qualifications of the 30 mm standard used in former Soviet Bloc countries. Similarly, in accordance with requests from various countries, studies are also being conducted for the development of 25 mm version of the cannon. Conse- quently, the MIZRAK turret currently has three versions. The turret also has the capability to carry UMTAS. In addition to the MIZRAK, Görgüç also shared the latest on BAŞOK, saying that the qualifi- cation process for this turret is expected to be completed before June. Last but not least, we asked Görgüç for his thoughts and views about the IDEF. Saying that everyone should be ready for surprises, Görgüç said: “Our area of focus is the same as what it was at last year’s IDEF. All I can say is that this time we have one more vehicle with us. The vehicles we bring to the IDEF will cause a surprise; aside from our vehicles, we might also have other surprises in store for the IDEF.” www.milscint.com IDEX 2015 SPECIAL

Öztiryakiler Becomes an Indispensable Brand in the Region ztiryakiler, which has con- Öducted important business in the Gulf Region, participated in the exhibition under the um- brella of the Emirates Advanced Investments Group (EAIG), the company’s partner in the UAE. Öztiryakiler displayed its con- tainer kitchen, field kitchen and mobile laundry products in a stand with an area of over 370 meters Field kitchen squared. During the exhibition, we had the opportunity to meet with Kerem Turan, the Regional Export Manager of Öztiryakiler. Turan stated that they have been working with EAIG for over two years and talked about their ongoing projects. Öztiryakiler has recently completed deliveries of 125 container kitchens, each one of which can service nearly 1,000 people. Activities concerning a field kitchen project are continuing. The units Öztiryakiler delivered for testing purposes have successfully passed their tests. One of the countries interested in the company’s container kitchen solutions is Saudi Arabia. Öztiryakiler has already sold to Saudi Arabia three different types of container kitchen products. Two of the products are based on a 20-foot long container design and ca- pable of serving 250 people, while the third is a collapsible con- tainer that covered an area equivalent to three 20-foot containers when fully expanded. According to Turan, it takes a half an hour to fully assemble the third container. This spacious container allows food to be hygienically prepared, cooked and rapidly distributed. The company has also previously sold to Saudi Arabia internal shower and toilet solutions for containers. their heating and cooking systems use diesel fuel, Öztiryakiler Emphasizing the level of customer appreciation for these products, products encounter none of these problems. Turan also touched Turan also noted that the products they delivered for testing pur- upon the subject of loading and unloading, which can be a major poses were not free of charge and that the recipient countries paid problem for container products. He said that the systems they de- for the test-related products. veloped include a special jack system that eliminates the need for A significant advantage of Öztiryakiler’s kitchen products is that a crane. The loading and unloading of the container products they operate using diesel fuel, which can be easily found and ob- to/from a transport vehicle can be completed within a half an hour. tained in field conditions. The electrical systems require very bulky Noting that they are way ahead of their competition due to their generators and systems using natural gas have safety risks. Since product innovation, Turan said: “The fact that we are a manufac- 44 turing company is a very important advantage; this is because we Container kitchen can adjust and modify our product designs based on the customer. Every country has its own culture. For example, the equipment used in the United States is completely different than the ones used in the Middle East. Therefore, we can easily produce products based on specific regional demands – something that our com- petitors cannot do. As I mentioned earlier, this is because they are not manufacturing-oriented companies, meaning that they gen- erally design and produce uniform products that are assembly- based; consequently, they cannot easily change the designs of their products and always remain restricted to the same markets.” We also asked Turan for some figures about Öztiryakiler. He stated that Öztiryakiler’s exports were approximately $25 million last year, and that the company allocated several million US dollars to research and development.

MSI Turkish Defence Review - April 2015 www.milscint.com Sur International Concludes Exhibition with Orders ur International, a Sudanese-Turkish Sjoint venture founded in 2001, made a significant impact at IDEX 2015. The Sur mil- itary uniform factory, which produces mili- tary textile products and materials, was established in the Sudanese capital of Khar- toum in 2003. Producing military textiles and ready-to-wear clothes in compliance with in- ternational standards and requirements, the company now manufactures over 1.1 million military uniforms a year. As of 2011, the joint venture company, which operates under the slogan “From Cotton in Field to Uniform”, has eight textile factories and a workforce of over 3,550. Sur International processes and weaves the cotton it cultivates in its own fields and has an annual production capacity of nearly 38 million metres of fabric. It in- creased its financial strength in 2013 through the contribution of Qatari investors and deservedly views itself Sur International participated in the exhibition showcasing mili- as a regional leader in its chosen field. The short-term goals of tary uniforms, outdoor clothes and materials, ballistic materials, the company include providing services to the Middle Eastern re- shoes, boots, socks and various other accessories. During the gion through a new manufacturing facility that is currently under event, the company received orders for its “officer traveling construction in Qatar, which will use the fabrics produced in Sur pack”, designed specifically for travelling officers, which at- International’s own factories in Sudan. tracted considerable attention during the exhibition.

STM Aims to Expand Depth and Breadth TM made a notable appearance at IDEX 2015, seeking to ex- Spand its domestic services, including consultancy, airworthi- ness certification, engineering and technology development, into foreign markets. Davut Yılmaz, General Manager of STM, sharing with us the company’s recent activities in the region, said that they were currently providing consultancy services to UAE-based Company ADASI, but that they aim to increase the depth and breadth of these services through bundling solutions. In addition, the company continues its project development activities in the Middle East and Gulf countries by utilizing the skills it acquired through European Union capacity development projects and its consultancy experiences in the field of Link-16 and tactical data links. The company has, in this context, conducted important meetings during the exhibition with the relevant officials. 45 STM has been carrying out military naval projects both domesti- cally and internationally since 2006 in the areas of military surface and submarine vessel construction and modernization, as well as in the areas of military facility and shipyard construction and ren- ovation. In this regard, STM showcased MİLGEM and the Pakistani Fleet Tanker Project during the event, providing visitors to its stand with information regarding its activities in these areas. The company also took the opportunity during the exhibition to promote its cyber security and big data solutions, mission support systems, command and control information systems and Vertical Wind Tunnel programme. Having been engaged in development projects in the Gulf and the Middle East, the STM took the opportunity at the event to hold im- portant meetings with relevant officials during the event.

www.milscint.com MSI Turkish Defence Review - April 2015 IDEX 2015 SPECIAL

for these studies was provided by FNSS. The design and develop- ROKETSAN Makes ment of the stabilized pedestal, the integration to the targeting a Difference system and CİRİT’s firing tests were all carried out by ROKETSAN. The demonstration was performed for the Turkish Armed Forces OKETSAN, whose project successes give them special status (TAF). Yaşar said that as a result of the experience acquired Rwith the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Armed Forces, displayed through these studies that they could likewise integrate the CİRİT its broad spectrum of weapon systems in its modern-designed very easily with other vehicles. stand. The promotional videos shown at its stand were equally as Prior to the exhibition, ROKETSAN spent a considerable amount interesting as the products being showcased. In one of the videos, of time preparing for IDEX. Yaşar described the preparation: “Be- a CİRİT missile fired from an AT-802 close air support and border fore coming here, we sent a letter of invitation to the ambassadors security aircraft and hit its target from a distance of 10 kilometres, and military attachés of 29 countries. We invited them to visit us after performing a terminal manoeuvre during the final stage of at the IDEX exhibition and that it would be an honour to host them its flight. In another video, a CİRİT missile launched from the in- at our stand. We pay attention to such etiquette because delega- tegrated stabilized weapon station of a moving FNSS-produced tions that come to this exhibition are also accompanied by their Armoured Combat Vehicle (ZMA) was able to successfully hit its ambassadors or military attachés. Therefore, we made an effort designated target, which was marked by the launching vehicle’s to let them know about our participation at the exhibition. I believe targeting systems. we have been quite successful. During the exhibition, foreign del- 46 During the exhibition, we had an oppor- tunity to converse with Selçuk Yaşar, the General Manager of ROKETSAN, and asked him questions about the videos. Yaşar commented on CİRİT’s 10-kilo- metre range. He said that they had not made any changes regarding the mis- sile’s design and that its kinetic energy allows it to reach such distances. In brochures, the maximum range of the CİRİT is generally cited as 8 kilometres. The integration of the CİRİT onto the ZMA platform was made possible through studies ROKETSAN conducted using their own resources. The vehicle

MSI Turkish Defence Review - April 2015 www.milscint.com egations have shown great interest in our company and stand.” gories. The MIZRAK-U completed its qualification process last ROKETSAN also released press statements prior to the exhibition. month and the qualification process for the MIZRAK-O will be In its press release on the MIZRAK-U anti-tank missile, not only completed next year. These two missiles will possibly be the most did it provided detailed information regarding the missile’s tech- advanced anti-tank missiles in the West and maybe even in the nical features but also described the missile’s first guided firing world. Another advantage of our products is the fact that as they test that was performed in February 2014 was with an AH-1S Cobra Helicopter. Also, it stated that the missile was expected to enter serial production within the year. In addition, the press re- lease emphasized that the MIZRAK-U has had a successful firing performance with many platforms including the AH-1, T-129 ATAK and S-70 and that the number of platforms using the MIZRAK-U could increase in the near future. ROKETSAN was fea- tured in the exhibition’s official publication. The exhibition’s show daily for day two contained a news article on the CİRİT. This article reported on how the CİRİT has been integrated into the AT-802 aircrafts of the UAE Armed Forces and is currently being inte- grated into Sikorsky UH-60 helicopters. In addition, it was re- ported that the missile will be integrated into the Bell 407 helicopters and two other fixed-winged platforms. An interesting detail in this news article was that it mentioned that the CİRİT will 4-cell launcher developed for CİRİT (front) and SOM missile (back). also be integrated into Bahrain’s AH-1 Cobra helicopters, which are being developed, the environmental conditions of the market will soon undergo modernization. We asked Yaşar about this and regions are taken into account. With certain products, we see that told us that they are working together with TAI on the moderniza- countries can experience various problems associated with ex- 47 tion of the AH-1 helicopters and that they might also assist with treme and adverse environmental conditions. In this region, tem- the integration of the CİRİT. peratures in the shade can easily reach 45–50 degrees Celsius. Yaşar shared his thoughts on the exhibition and the Middle East: Therefore, all our systems are designed to surmount and tolerate “Today, our stand is larger compared to previous years. This re- any adverse or extreme environmental conditions.” flects the importance we attach to IDEX. In addition to the projects We finally asked Yaşar about ROKETSAN’s preparations for IDEF. we have already completed in the UAE, we also have two addi- He said: “We have a system capable of launching 107, 122 and 300 tional ongoing projects. At our stand, we are showcasing the prod- mm rockets that we developed as part of an export project and ucts associated with these projects – namely the 107 mm and had previously displayed at Azerbaijan. We will be displaying this 122 mm rocket artillery systems and the CİRİT. In addition, we are system at IDEF as well. There, of course, will be various other new also displaying our other products, with a focus on the SOM, products that we will display too. This year, we will have a larger MIZRAK-U and MIZRAK-O missiles. These products are high- stand at IDEF and will display all our products indoors. I believe technology systems that we plan to sell in the future in the Middle that we will have the opportunity to display four to five types of Eastern markets. I can confidently say that ROKETSAN products weapon systems. Our planning and preparatory activities for our are, at present, the best weapons in their own respective cate- IDEF stand are currently ongoing.” www.milscint.com MSI Turkish Defence Review - April 2015 IDEX 2015 SPECIAL

Yonca-Onuk Provides Excellent Regional Solutions he Yonca-Onuk Shipyard, Twhich has close ties with the United Arab Emirates (UAE), is among the companies waiting for an improvement in the relations between Turkey and the UAE. The UAE has the company’s Kaan16 class ONUK MRTP16 boats, which are currently serving and performing successfully. In its press bulletin, published imme- diately following the exhibition on March 1 by Abu Dhabi Ship Build- ing (ADSB), it was announced that the delivery of 34 ONUK MRTP16 high-speed interception boats to the UAE’s Critical Infrastructure and Coastal Protection Authority (CICPA) were completed. The boats were delivered between March 2011 and December 2014. Twelve boats were built in Turkey and 22 were built by the UAE’s ADSB. During the exhibition, we had the opportunity to speak with Dr. Ekber İ.N. Onuk, the Vice Chairman to previous Yonca-Onuk boats, be the fastest ones in the of the Board of the Yonca-Onuk Shipyard, who shared the follow- 20–25 metre category. In addition, Qatar is also considering the ing thoughts about the region, IDEX and recent developments: purchase of MRTP34s. These MRTP34s will be enhanced ver- “We have a significant presence in this region. Presently, 32 of sions and modified in accordance with Qatar’s requirements and our boats and two of our specialized vessels are serving in the usage. Making a general assessment about the region’s require- region. We continue to provide life cycle support services for ments, Dr. Onuk stated that the countries of the region especially these ships. Our customers are highly satisfied with our products need high-speed boats for the defence of oil and natural gas plat- and services. Our presence at IDEX has, in a way, confirmed our forms. He continues to explain that due to their high-speed ca- pre-existing presence in the region. Regardless of how the rela- pabilities and their superior seaworthiness, the MRTP series tions are between Turkey and the UAE – and we believe that these boats represent the best solution for satisfying these require- relations will soon be mended – we cannot ignore or dismiss this ments. market. The situation has not yet improved in time for the exhi- Dr. Onuk on the situation in Egypt said: “We constructed a total bition, but we still have friends here who visit us unofficially and of six vessels for Egypt – three were built in Istanbul and the other speak with us. We believe that these storm clouds will dissipate three were built in Egypt. The Egyptian Navy uses these vessels sooner or later. Our customers often say that: ‘Other companies extensively and they are very satisfied with them. We are ready promise us 50, and perform only 5; while your company promises to provide Egypt any other additional support that it might need us 50, and performs 100!’ We often hear such compliments in the and go there whenever asked. Egypt has built a shipbuilding fa- UAE, Qatar and even Egypt. We have to keep up this positive cility that successfully reflects our own knowledge and experi- image that we have created. Companies maintain a certain ence. In fact, the three boats produced there are 0.2–0.3 knots 48 image. We wish to use and benefit from this image of reliability faster than the ones produced in Istanbul. All in all, there is a fa- we have established as much as possible. We are aware that our cility in Egypt waiting to begin production and as soon as all con- designs and solutions are in line with the requirements of the re- ditions are suitable, we can go ahead and get started.” gion. Therefore, we will continue to provide support and services In Turkey, the Yonca-Onuk Shipyard has delivered the thirteenth to the peoples in the region.” of the seventeen ONUK MRTP20 boats ordered by the Turkish We also asked Dr. Onuk about the latest situation regarding the Coast Guard Command. The Yonca-Onuk Shipyard also has a company’s activities in Qatar: “The Yonca-Onuk Shipyard main- strong connection to the Fast Patrol Boat Project. Dr. Onuk tains a permanent engineering team in Qatar. Qatar has recently shared his thoughts on the project: “In 2011, we began to develop placed a new order for four ONUK MRTP20 vessels equipped with a boat with features that almost perfectly matched the project the 1,940-horsepower MTU 12V2000M94 main engine. Thus, our requirements and completed it in 2013. By the time the Request joint venture will move beyond the conventional ONUK MRTP20 for Information (RFI) document was issued, our design was al- boats currently being built. The four new boats will, of course, be ready prepared; here, at the exhibition, we are showing the model equipped with ASELSAN’s STAMP/STOP series remote-con- for this design. We developed this design with the intention of cre- trolled weapon station.” ating a boat superior to the conventional 60–65 metre boats used Dr. Onuk emphasized that these four MRTP20s boats will, similar worldwide. We obtained the data of all well-known boats cur-

MSI Turkish Defence Review - April 2015 www.milscint.com rently available in the market. We then built their models and consequently more suitable for carrying assault-oriented weapon subjected some of them to pool tests. We made comparisons with systems. This is why we have a significant advantage in this area. regard to seaworthiness and determined that our own vessel and Companies such as ASELSAN, HAVELSAN, ROKETSAN and design, with a 300-ton displacement, had better seaworthiness MilSOFT, companies that are the cornerstone of the Turkish de- than a 550-ton boat. In 1995, Kaan Onuk had said: ‘In coastal wa- fence industry, possess very significant engineering capabilities; ters, powerful navy ships designed for open seas will find them- and I, as ‘Uncle Ekber’, am in a position where I can somewhat selves almost helpless against the highly mobile and rapid guide and direct these companies through demands and re- smaller platforms wielding heavy firepower and communicating quests I might consider necessary. These companies tend to re- through network-based systems.’ We know that small and adept spect us. They are accustomed to developing new and indigenous platforms using network-based operational capabilities will one solutions based upon our requests and input. STAMP, STOP and day pose a greater threat than larger platforms. We see parallels MUHAFIZ are the products of such cooperation. Currently, we in nature: just like ants attacking and devouring a scorpion; hye- are conducting a joint venture with HAVELSAN and ROKETSAN. nas bringing down a lion; or lions killing and eating an elephant. I cannot single-handedly employ and control 2,000 engineers; We aim to achieve many important goals in the area of small plat- however, when I go and visit these companies and convey my forms. We observe that as a platform becomes larger in size, wishes to them, they take me seriously and then they accom- nearly 70–80 percent of that platform’s capabilities and resources plish remarkable results. We can feel these companies sup- become dedicated to protecting it. Our platforms are smaller and porting us.” IDEX 2015 SPECIAL

T-Kalıp in Pursuit of Long-Term Partnerships

aving participated in IDEX 2013 under the umbrella of HOSSA, T-Kalıp had its own stand at this year’s exhibition, where it presented its mine-resistant seating products as well as various mechanical interfaces, including gun mounts and adaptor equipment. Böke Şahin, Deputy General Manager of T-Kalıp, whom we met during the exhibition, shared with us in- formation regarding T-Kalıp’s activities. The company is cur- rently conducting direct sales to Saudi Arabia in the Middle Eastern region, to which it has been providing smoke mortars for over six years as part of the M113 modernization project. Furthermore, the company has recently initiated a project in Saudi Arabia for the sale of gun mounts. Şahin stated that they have good relations with Saudi Arabia, where they are currently working on the sale of mine-resistant seats, and that he ex- pects these activities to bear fruit in 2016. T-Kalıp is also seek- ing to develop and expand its cooperative activities with other countries in the region. “Our goal for the region is not just to have ‘one-time sales’; we wish to gain a continuous and lasting presence. We, therefore, need to find good business partners in the region. We have already found such a partner in Saudi Mine blast attenuating seats Arabia, but we are now seeking other potential partners in other countries. Exhibitions serve as an important means of achieving this,” said Şahin. T-Kalıp assumes a prudent and cautious approach with re- gards to the export of its mine-resistant seats, a product for which the company has a strong claim. T-Kalıp provides seats that utilize damping systems, for which T-Kalıp has exclusive patents, to nearly all land platform producers in Turkey, and also makes indirect exports of these seats. For instance, seats delivered to FNSS by T-Kalıp are being used in Malaysian AV8 vehicles. Şahin summarized the situation in the Middle East – a potential market for T-Kalıp’s seats – as follows: “We can clearly see this at the exhibition that nowadays every country can produce its own vehicles in its own factories based on its own requirements – although some occasional external tech- nical assistance may be required. Among all the exhibitions that we have attended up until today, IDEX 2015 has been the one that displayed the largest variety of unique vehicle models, meaning a high number of potential customers. However, Adapter and mount products some of the countries that have recently begun to produce land governmental support, and a study on this topic was being con- vehicles are unaware of the technical benefits of using mine- ducted by the Undersecretariat for Defence Industries (SSM).” resistant seats. At this exhibition, prior to making any sales, we T-Kalıp’s future plans include the production of impact-resis- 50 are first working on raising awareness of these benefits, and tant seats for helicopters. According to Şahin, these seats will are explaining to potential customers the benefits associated possess damping systems similar to those used in the seats with the use of these products in their vehicles. We are confi- produced for land vehicles. Drawing attention to the test and dent in our seats, which have already proven themselves on certification processes required for these seats, Şahin said: several occasions. In Turkey, our seats were approved after “Our R&D process and prototype production would not involve successfully passing the most comprehensive tests four or five significant costs; we can perform certain tests internally or times over, yet it is not easy to explain to our potential cus- with the support of top contractors. However, as the certifica- tomers that our products rank among the best in their cate- tion processes need to be carried out abroad, they inevitably gory, in that the tests that I mentioned are performed directly incur significant costs. One of the reasons Turkish companies by the platform companies themselves. We do not have the op- prefer to purchase our products is that we can make any type tion of conducting tests at an accredited testing centre and ob- of design change almost immediately. We have achieved very taining a report or certificate that we can hang on our wall and good results in our tests and offer a significant cost advantage. show our customers. The establishment of such a testing cen- We should be able to achieve the same in the aerospace indus- tre is not something that a single company could tackle and try.” Şahin emphasized that the company was keen to take part accomplish on its own. This could, however, be possible with in the Indigenous Helicopter Programme.

MSI Turkish Defence Review - April 2015 www.milscint.com Eurojet Displayed its Strength at IDEX before IDEF rriving at IDEX after signing a A3 year EJ200 support contract with NETMA for Eurofighter Typhoon fleets of the UK, Germany, Italy and Spain on 3th of February, Eurojet sup- ported the sales campaign of Eu- rofighter Typhoon in the Gulf Region. We had the opportunity to interview Clemens Linden, CEO of Eurojet. Eurojet, encouraged by the tendency of Turkey for a twin-engine design in the National Fighter Aircraft Develop- ment (F-X) Program, offers an ad- vanced version of its EJ200 engine to Turkey, along with technology transfer and co-production (F-22) in the Western Air Forces. Furthermore, the very foun- arrangements. Mr. Linden emphasized two points that differs dation of Eurojet is built on cooperation, providing the com- Eurojet from its competitors in the F-X program: A competi- pany with the expertise of its industry partners, which would tive, state-of-the-art engine and a heritage of cooperation. help the company in establishing joint activities with Turkish Eurojet offers the EJ200 to Turkey with thrust-vectoring tech- defence industry. We will publish the interview in the IDEF’15 nology, which is currently operational on only one aircraft type Special Issue of MSI Turkish Defence Review.

Kelvin Hughes displayed its mast mounted surveillance system that includes radar and electro-optical sensors.

51 Kelvin Hughes Seeks Deeper Ties with Turkey uring the exhibition, we had an opportunity to talk with n The company is also working on a project involving the DRupert Swinhoe-Standen and Rufus Whiteford, Regional installation of radar systems at various airports; Business Managers with Kelvin Hughes, about the com- n The company provides systems to shipyards servicing private pany’s activities in Turkey. Specializing in the areas of navi- sector companies, especially for ships built for foreign customers; gation and surveillance systems, Kelvin Hughes is involved n The company is conducting activities in conjunction with the in a number of military and commercial fields in Turkey. ARES shipyard; and Among these: n They are in cooperation with the STM regarding the fleet n The company is currently conducting talks with leading land tanker project being constructed in Pakistan. vehicle producers in Turkey about the integration of Swinhoe-Standen and Whiteford emphasized that they had visited surveillance systems on its vehicles; Turkey on behalf of the company on numerous occasions, and n Negotiations are being conducted with HAVELSAN concerning that it was their intention to deepen and diversify the activities of the integration of a radar surveillance systems onto a vehicle; Kelvin Hughes in the country. www.milscint.com MSI Turkish Defence Review - April 2015 SPECIAL COVERAGE

Enigma 8x8 A Look at IDEX 2015 from Land Systems’ Perspective lthough the UAE, the The IDEX 2015 exhibition was held on February 22–26 in host of IDEX, has a pop- Aulation of only 9.9 mil- Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). lion, the country is worthy of Considered the largest defence exhibition in the Middle note due to its annual defence spending of $14.4 billion. East and North Africa regions, IDEX 2015 was a very large Throughout IDEX 2015, the UAE – as is customary – either event that brought together more than 1,154 companies signed or announced that it from the defence sector. In this article, we will examine will sign 33 agreements with a total value $3.66 billion, which the most important and noteworthy land system products 52 represents an increase of displayed by foreign companies during the event. nearly 30 percent on the pre- vious IDEX exhibition. Oykun EREN / [email protected] Land systems constituted ap- play at the exhibition, and so it products on display at IDEX very high number. Several proximately $550 million of is this sector, along with 2015. companies have for many the agreements signed or an- weapons systems, that will be The UAE’s requirement for 8x8 years undertaken extensive nounced by the UAE during the most prominent in this article. vehicles has, for many years, studies related to this project, exhibition, and with a $420 been the subject of intense including Patria (Finland), million contract for the deliv- Platforms competition between numer- Nexter (France), and FNSS

MSI Defence Review ery of 500 vehicles, Nimr Au- Launched at IDEX 2015 was ous foreign companies, in- and Otokar from Turkey, and

© tomotive takes the largest the Enigma 8x8 armoured cluding such Turkish firms as so the fact that a UAE-based share of this figure. combat vehicle, developed by Otokar and FNSS, in that the company has launched a do- The prominence of land sys- Emirates Defence Technology, programme is expected to in- mestically-produced vehicle is tems was obvious among the representing one of the most volve the purchase of over considered a negative devel- products and systems on dis- important new land system 1,000 vehicles – certainly a opment for these companies. All Photographs:

MSI Turkish Defence Review - April 2015 www.milscint.com Leopard 2A7+

This 8x8 vehicle, named chine gun. The UAE’s inven- sesses an open upper struc- unmanned turret. More infor- “Enigma”, has a combat tory currently has 650 BMP-3 ture, and presents its user mation about this turret is weight of 28 tons (which can vehicles, and it is known that with a variety of different provided later in the article. be increased up to 32 tons), a the turrets of some of these weapon and ballistic shield During the event, the Ger- length of 8.3 metres and am- vehicles have been modern- options. Its low weight and man company KMW had on phibious capabilities. Drawing ized, and that the UAE Armed high fuel capacity make the display the A7+ configuration its power from a 711 HP Forces intends to utilize these vehicle particularly suited for of the Leopard 2 main battle Caterpillar C13 diesel engine, turrets by integrating them special forces operations. It is tank, which currently repre- the Enigma is also equipped onto the 8x8 vehicles. It was known that the vehicle passed sents the Leopard’s most with an adjustable-height interesting to note that the from the design to production advanced configuration. The hydro pneumatic suspension Enigma, even when fitted with stage within a very brief period Qatar Armed Forces have al- supplied by Timoney. The ve- this exhibitionly bulky turret, of five months. The Nimr spe- ready ordered 62 of these ve- hicle is able to steer with all still had room in its rear for cial forces vehicle is powered hicles. In addition to its main eight wheels and features a eight soldiers, in addition to its by a 300 HP, 6.7 litre Cummins armaments, comprising a steel V-shape chassis to pro- crew of driver, gunner and diesel engine, and is equipped 120 mm L55 cannon and a tect against blasts from below. commander. with a six-speed automatic 7.62 mm machine gun, the The level of protection can be Various weapon systems de- transmission. The vehicle has A7+ configuration is also increased through the addition signed for the Enigma were a combat weight of 5 tons, and equipped with a FLW200 of extra armour. also presented during the ex- can carry a payload of between 12.7 mm remote-controlled It is known that the vehicle dis- hibition, the most noteworthy 2.5 and 3 tons. weapon station on its main played at the exhibition was of which was an Enigma con- Nimr Automotive also turret. This configuration’s developed in less than one figuration equipped with a BAE launched its new 6x6 HAFEET new features are concen- year following highly extensive Systems M777 155 mm light weapon platform at the exhi- trated mainly on the studies, and after the event it howitzer, on display as a bition. With its MBDA Mistral vehicle’s command and con- is expected to undergo various model. The Nimr armour vehi- Air Defence Missile Turret trol, fire control and commu- tests in the UAE throughout cle and the company Nimr Au- with an effective range of 6.5 nication systems, with the 53 the summer. In a statement tomotive, which can be km, this vehicle, based on the particular focus of the con- concerning the vehicle, described as UAE’s national Nimr 6x6 chassis, has been figuration being survivability. Muhamed bin Jabr al-Suwaidi, pride in land systems, also designed for short-range air In this regard, in addition to CEO of Emirates Defence made a strong appearance at defence missions. In addition its front armour, which is Technology, said that the IDEX in a manner that has al- to the four missiles located on normally the section of main Enigma had been designed most become tradition. its remote-controlled turret, battle tanks with the highest specifically in accordance with Another noteworthy land sys- the vehicle can carry an addi- protection, the A7+ also pos- the UAE Armed Forces’ re- tem at the exhibition on display tional eight Mistral missiles. sesses a reinforced under- quirements. was the special forces config- Another configuration of the belly armour to protect The Enigma on display at IDEX uration of the Nimr 4x4, as the HAFEET 6x6 vehicle dis- against mines and impro- 2015 featured an integrated newest member of the Nimr played at the exhibition was vised explosive devices BMP-3 turret armed with a family. With a carrying capac- the Medium Calibre Weapon (IEDs), as well as additional 100 mm cannon, a 30 mm auto ity of five, the Nimr special Platform, fitted with an inte- ballistic and RPG-7 protec- cannon and a 7.62 mm ma- forces configuration pos- grated BAE Systems TRT 30 tion on its sides and rear. www.milscint.com MSI Turkish Defence Review - April 2015 SPECIAL COVERAGE

The KMW stand also featured – which are geared up for use played various versions of M- 883 engine, and the country a Boxer 8x8 vehicle equipped especially against unmanned ATV 4x4 MRAP Vehicles. The currently has a total of 388 with the remote-controlled 30 aerial vehicles, rockets and UAE Armed Forces’ inventory Leclerc tanks in its inventory. mm turret of the German mortar shells – are usually has currently several M-ATV Another vehicle on display at PUMA tracked armoured presented as fixed weapon vehicles with various inte- Nexter’s stand was the 8x8 combat vehicle (ACV). The systems; and so in this re- grated sub-systems. The VCBI, which was showcased Boxer, which is used as an ar- spect, the system showcased Oshkosh stand also featured with a two-man turret. The moured personnel carrier in at IDEX 2015 represents the the L-ATV, a vehicle which the VBCI represented one of the the German Army, is armed first example of an installation company has proposed for the strongest candidates in the with a FLW200 remote-con- on a highly-mobile vehicle. highly competitive JLTV proj- UAE’s 8x8 vehicle procure- trolled weapon station The stand of the Rheinmetall- ect to satisfy the new genera- ment project. equipped with a 12.7 mm ma- MAN Military Vehicles joint tion wheeled vehicle The stand of Renault Trucks chine gun or a 40 mm grenade venture had on display the requirement of the United Defence, another French launcher, providing it with a Survivor R wheeled armoured States Army and the United company, displayed the en- significant increase in fire- vehicle, making its first ap- States Marine Corps. tirely redesigned VAB Mk III 6x6 vehicle. As the newest member of the VAB family, which has been around for many years, the Mk III comes with larger internal volume and payload capacity, without sacrificing or diminishing its level of protection. In its ar- moured personnel carrier configuration, the vehicle can carry seven soldiers in addi- tion to its crew of two. The ve- hicle’s weight is described as 20 tons. Appearing in the land systems arena with its wheeled ar- moured vehicle solutions, the Paramount Group (South Africa) announced the signing of an agreement with Jordan VBCI with T40 turret concerning the sale of 50 Mbombe 6x6 armoured vehi- power. The large dimensions pearance at IDEX 2015. With The French company Nexter’s cles at the exhibition. This sale of the Boxer grant it a particu- its 4x4 configuration and 15- stand drew significant atten- agreement stipulates that the larly impressive appearance, ton combat weight, the Sur- tion with the Leclerc main bat- vehicle will be produced lo- as its 33-ton combat weight vivor R vehicle can be tle tank, which has a combat cally in Jordan. confirms this. classified as a Mine Resistant weight of 55 tons, and is al- The Italian company Iveco-Oto At the Rheinmetall stand, a Ambush Protected (MRAP) ready a part of the UAE Armed Melara’s stand included the version of the Boxer 8x8 Vehicle. Forces inventory. In contrast 8x8 VBM Freccia, a vehicle that equipped with a laser weapon The stands of the American to the tanks used by France, is currently in the inventory of system also drew considerable company Oshkosk and of cer- the UAE equips its Leclerc the Italian Army, and which 54 attention. Such laser weapons tain local UAE companies dis- tanks with the German MTU has participated in operations in Afghanistan. Freccia has a combat weight of 30 tons and a 550 HP Iveco diesel engine. In its ACV configuration, the Freccia has a carrying capacity of 11. Another product showcased at the Iveco stand was the VBTP wheeled armoured vehicle, which is being locally manu- factured in Brazil according to the terms of a €2 billion con- tract for 2,044 vehicles. The VBTP has a 6x6 configuration and a steel chassis, and is powered by an Iveco FPT 9 litre, 338 HP diesel engine. The vehicle also has amphibious Desert Piranha V 8x8 capabilities, and is in the process of entering service in greeted the exhibition’s visi- Saudi Arabian market. The thermore, the anti-tank mis- Brazil, where it will replace tors with different mission upper part of this turret is siles deployed on either side of the current aging Engesa configurations at the stands of equipped with independent the turret provide the system EE11 6x6 vehicles. different companies. The and stabilized visual systems with firepower greater than The stand of Russian company Commando series armoured for the gunner and com- the main weapon. Uralvagonzavod had on display vehicles, which entered the US mander, which are products of The T40 has a welded alu- the T90 main battle tank, which Army’s inventory towards the the French company Safran. A minium frame, and can use is of considerable appeal to end of the 1990s, are actually panoramic vision system op- fitted with additional armour to many countries in the region. a continuation of the V100 and erated by the commander per- provide a higher level of pro- The displayed configuration V150 vehicle programmes de- mits the conduct of tection. Nexter is proposing was described as being veloped during the 1960s. Of- hunter-killer type operations. this turret as a modernization equipped with sub-systems fering superior mobility and It is worthy of note that in option with greater firepower suitable for the conditions of protective capabilities, more order to enable the modularity for the VCBI vehicles currently the Middle East, with the most than 2,000 Commando vehi- described above, the dimen- equipped with the one- noteworthy innovation being cles are currently in service sions of the turret have been manned 25 mm Dragar tur- the replacement of its 125 mm around the world in the inven- kept fairly large, and with the rets. Last year, the VCBI 2A46 main weapon with a tories of seven countries. option of additional armour, vehicle underwent tests with 120 mm smoothbore main the turret can provide ballistic this turret in a Middle East weapon, capable of using am- Weapon Systems protection up to STANAG 4569 country. munition of Western standards. Among the weapon systems Level 5. Nexter’s stand also featured The General Dynamics (GD) showcased at the exhibition, Another novel turret system at an example of the 40 mm CT stand featured two different the newest was the two- the exhibition was the two- weapon used in the T40, as a 8x8 vehicles. The LAV III manned CMI 3000 turret dis- manned T40 turret displayed product of the CTAI joint ven- Demonstrator, which was un- played on a Desert Piranha V on a VBCI 8x8 vehicle at the ture company established by veiled in June 2014 at the vehicle at the stand of CMI stand of the French company Nexter and BAE systems. Eurosatory exhibition in Paris, (Belgium). CMI, which is active Nexter. Development activities Within the frame of the mod- was presented with an un- in the area of turret systems, for this turret are still contin- ernization program for the manned Kongsberg 30 mm has attracted particular atten- uing. The T40 will constitute United Kingdom’s Warrior 55 turret, as an advanced version tion in recent years with its the firepower of the French IFVs, the 40 mm CT will re- of the LAV III vehicles that are turret designs equipped with Jaguar 6x6 wheeled recon- place the old Rarden 30 mm currently in the inventories of 90 mm cannons. naissance vehicles to be de- weapon, and will also become Canada, the United States and The CMI 3000 turret features a veloped in the near future. The the firepower of Scout SV Belgium. modular structure suitable for CT40, on the other hand, is the tracked reconnaissance vehi- The Desert Piranha V 8x8 of the integration of a broad result of a French-British joint cles. The CT brings with it two Swiss company Mowag, which spectrum of weapons, ranging venture, and features a 40 mm important innovations. Unlike was incorporated into GD in from a 25 mm auto cannon to telescopic main weapon for conventional ammunition, 2004, was on displayed at the 105 mm tank cannons. It is the firing of ammunition, with comprising a shell casing with stand of CMI (Belgium). known that the CMI 3000, the upper part of the turret fit- a propellant charge, and a Multiple examples of the which was equipped with the ted with a remote-controlled shell on top of (or within) the Commando 4x4 wheeled ATK Mk44 30 mm auto cannon weapon station equipped with case, the ammunition used by armoured vehicle – produced at the exhibition, has been de- a 7.62 mm weapon for use by the CT consists of an entirely by US-company Textron – veloped specifically for the the vehicle commander. Fur- cylindrical structure. www.milscint.com MSI Turkish Defence Review - April 2015 SPECIAL COVERAGE

The centre of the cylinder con- tains an embedded shell, while the volume surrounding this shell is filled with the pro- pellant charge. This allows large calibre ammunition – such as 40 mm round – to be fitted inside a small and com- pact volume. Another innova- tion of this weapon is its use of a shell chamber that can be structurally rotated through 90 degrees, which allows am- munition rounds to be placed and moved directly into the shell chamber while still per- pendicular to the barrel’s axis. The rotating shell chamber then brings the ammunition round from its perpendicular Boxer 8x8 position into its firing position. Another new weapon system stand was the laser system in- on display at the Emirates Cobra 120 mm tegrated onto the Skyshield air mortar system Defence Technology stand defence tower, which intended was the remote-controlled for the protection of fixed assets AU220M 57 mm turret of Ural- and installations against rocket vagonzavod (Russia). The and mortar attacks. The laser AU220M weapon, which also system is capable of destroying forms part of the Russian S60 rockets and mortar shells from towed anti-aircraft system, a range of up to 3000 m. uses 57x347 mm ammunition; Making its first appearance at and when used with armour- the RUAG (Switzerland) stand piercing rounds, this weapon was the Cobra 120 mm mortar can pierce armour of up to system, featuring a two-axis 130 mm from a range of electrical drive system and an 1,000 metres with a firing rate automatic ammunition re- of 120 rounds per minute. loading system that permits The BAE TRT-30 turret dis- the rapid deployment of the played on top of a HAFEET 6x6 COBRA platform, and the de- vehicle at Nimr Automotive’s livery of an adequate number stand was equipped with a of rounds against the target(s) Russian 30 mm 2A42 auto within the shortest time cannon, and the independent frame. The design allows the panoramic viewing system in- vehicle to change its current tegrated into the turret repre- position rapidly, and thus pre- sented a noteworthy addition vent it from becoming a target 56 to the turret. The ammunition for enemy counter-fire. boxes have been repositioned In this article we have pre- on the front side of the turret, sented a detailed but brief allowing spent ammunition gun, and is also equipped with of high-energy laser weapon analysis of the land platforms boxes to be replaced easily an EOTS-independent stabi- systems, showcased two dif- and weapon systems dis- with new ones. lized visual system for the ferent laser systems during played during IDEX 2015, as On display at the KMW stand gunner. the exhibition, the first being a providing detailed information was the unmanned PUMA IFV At IDEX 2015, a group of sys- 5 kW powered laser system on each platform and system turret, mounted on a Boxer tems that we are not accus- integrated onto a Boxer 8x8 is not possible given the lim- 8x8 (the PUMA IFV being a ve- tomed to seeing in the vehicle, developed with a main ited space. For this reason, we hicle that has recently entered “weapon systems arena” par- mission of destroying unex- have provided a rather suc- service in Germany). The ticularly caught our attention: ploded ordnance and roadside cinct perspective of the exhibi- turret possesses a 30 mm Laser weapons. Rheinmetall, bombs (or IEDs). tion, and time will tell whether MK 30-2 main weapon and a which has made significant in- The other such system pre- we will see a similar level of 5.56 mm co-axial machine vestments in the development sented at the Rheinmetall activity at IDEF 2015 in May.

MSI Turkish Defence Review - April 2015 www.milscint.com

SPECIAL COVERAGE

New Objectives for ASELSAN Following Completion of DAKA The closing ceremony for the Acoustic Decoy System for Submarines (DAKA) Project – for which the R&D and Technology Department of the Ministry of National Defence (MSB) was the procurement authority and ASELSAN was the prime contractor – was held on March 11 at ASELSAN’s Macunköy facilities. K. Burak CODUR / [email protected] themselves. Both types of devices sink to the bottom after com- he aim of the DAKA project, initiated on April 15, 2008 and pleting their mission, with all acoustic data being erased in the completed on October 1, 2014, was to develop a system process. Tthat would eliminate torpedo threats to submarines by The acoustic jammers and decoys were developed in two ver- jamming and deceiving torpedo seeker heads. The project in- sions, in that AY-class submarines feature shorter submerged cluded the development of a computer-based simulation signal ejectors (SSE). model for use of acoustic decoys and jammers against torpe- In line with the terms of the contract, Bilkent University, Middle does, a real-time decision support system, and acoustic decoy East Technical University (METU) and TÜBİTAK BİLGEM were 58 and jammer prototypes, and various high-frequency acoustic all involved in the project as sub-contractors. While Bilkent Uni- measurements were also carried out within the scope of the versity designed the laboratory prototypes of the transducers, project. Following the development phase, 280 acoustic decoy hydrophones, amplifiers and drive circuits, METU’s responsi- and jammer field prototypes were produced for AY-class sub- bility was to design the laboratory prototypes of the signal pro- marines, as well as 360 field prototypes for PREVEZE- and cessing circuits and mechanical body, as well as developing the GÜR-class submarines. The project saw also the integration of jammer algorithms. TÜBİTAK BİLGEM, on the other hand, de- decision support systems for torpedo countermeasures into 14 veloped the computer-based simulation model, designed the submarines. decision support system algorithms and carried out the testing The DAKA project comprised the development of both acoustic of the decision support system software. Also involved was jammers and acoustic decoys (red in colour), the main function TÜBİTAK SAGE, which worked on the development and produc- MSI Defence Review

© of which is to jam any torpedoes that might be targeting the tion of a thermopile with electrical and mechanical ignition, submarines by emitting high-power broadband emissions im- while Prof. Dr. Aydın Doğan, a faculty member of Anadolu Uni- mediately after being launched. The black-coloured acoustic versity, worked at the NANOTECH Company on the develop- decoys, on the other hand, simulate the dynamic and acoustic ment and production of ceramics, as the main material in the characteristics of submarines so as to draw torpedoes onto production of transducers and hydrophones. All photographs:

MSI Turkish Defence Review - April 2015 www.milscint.com Navy Captain Necmi Yıldırım, Chief of Dr. Faik Eken, General Manager Dr. Hasan Canpolat, Chairman the Electronic Systems Department Brigadier General Şaban Umut, at ASELSAN of the Board at ASELSAN at Turkish Naval Forces Command Deputy Undersecretary, MSB

Ninth Year in Underwater Acoustics Dr. Hasan Canpolat, Chairman of the Board at ASELSAN, took the The first speech at the ceremony was given by Dr. Faik Eken, floor after Dr. Eken, and gave a brief speech expressing his pleas- General Manager at ASELSAN. Describing the history of ure at the project’s completion, thanking all of the stakeholders. ASELSAN’s studies into underwater acoustics, Dr. Eken said: “ASELSAN began its studies into underwater acoustics in 2006. User Satisfaction at the Highest Level Immediately following the initiation of these studies, we carried Navy Captain Necmi Yıldırım, Chief of the Electronic Systems De- out joint feasibility studies for the DAKA project with the R&D and partment at Turkish Naval Forces Command, also gave a speech Technology Department of the MSB and Turkish Naval Research during the ceremony: “With the DAKA project, we have – in an Centre Command (ARMERKOM). These studies represented an area that remains secretive and closed even between inter- important milestone for all ongoing acoustic studies. As national players – successfully developed an indigenous ASELSAN, we have, over the past nine years, made significant in- system without needing to cooperate with foreign vestments into the field of underwater acoustics technologies, system developers, and without engaging in the beside the DAKA project. Looking back at our investments, we fi- transfer of information. Most importantly, we nanced this very large project, involving approximately 620,000 have tested and observed the effectiveness of man hours of work and 15,000 hours of sea tests, through our this system on the field against real threats. In own resources, and have spent in the region of $40 million in this this context, when writing about and describing this suc- regard, and have thus acquired significant knowledge and expe- cess we have achieved on behalf of our country, I believe that we rience in this area. Within these studies, we first developed the must, first of all, emphasize the positive studies of all stakehold- KULAÇ depth-measurement system that is currently in use in ers, as well as the synergy reflected by their goodwill. I hope and AY-class submarines; the HIZIR torpedo countermeasure system, expect that this positive atmosphere will continue in the Launcher soon to be used in MİLGEM and Landing Platform Dock ships; and project, which can be viewed as a continuation of the DAKA proj- the MATES mine identification and classification systems. ect. Although we are today holding the closing ceremony for Dr. Eken listed the universities, research institutes and compa- DAKA project, there are, from the standpoint of Naval Forces nies with which they are cooperating as follows: The Bilkent Uni- Command, many more studies that need to be conducted in the versity Acoustic and Underwater Technologies Research Centre, field of torpedo countermeasures, many more tactics which need METU, TÜBİTAK BİLGEM, TÜBİTAK SAGE, NANOTECH, Karel, to be tested and many more torpedoes that may be encountered. Epsilon Aviation, Teknoresim, Köprüören Makina and EMGE. The final speech of the ceremony was given by Brigadier General Dr. Eken said that their next objective, in which they would be sup- Şaban Umut, Deputy Undersecretary, MSB (National Armament ported by TÜBİTAK, was the development of TORK product, which Director). Emphasizing the gains and benefits associated with is an anti-torpedo torpedoe that physically eliminate torpedoes, the project, Brigadier General Umut said: “Within the scope of and the development of an Ad Hoc Acoustic Network Project. this project, high frequency acoustic measurements were car- ried out to test the effective use of the acoustic decoys and jam- mers against torpedoes. The computer-based simulation model, the decision support systems, and the acoustic decoy and jam- 59 mer prototypes for the AY-, PREVEZE- and GÜR-class sub- marines have all been delivered to our Naval Forces Command. In addition, regarding the protection of submarines against torpedo threats, we have ac- quired the technological infrastructure and capabilities for the design and production of underwater acoustic sensors, acoustic signal processors, and acoustic decoy and jammer systems, as well as the ability to develop defensive tactics against torpedoes, and to use and implement these tactics at a decision-making level.” The venue in which the ceremony was held included a stand showcasing the components of the DAKA system to the attendants. www.milscint.com MSI Turkish Defence Review - April 2015 SPECIAL COVERAGE

F-4E 2020 aircraft was displayed among with locally developed munitions such as SOM, KGK and HGK. Turkish Air Forces Command Answers Questions on F-4 and RF-4 Aircraft Following the accidents of February 24 and March 5, Turkish Air Force Command (TurAF) organized a press conference on March 11 to clear up any misunderstandings that might have led to negative perceptions among the public concerning TurAF’s F-4E and RF-4E aircraft. As part of the press tour organized at the Combatant Air Force and Air Missile Defence Command and 1st Air Supply and Maintenance Centre Command at Eskişehir, the public was informed directly on this subject by the highest ranking officials. Birol TEKİNCE / [email protected] - Vehbi TUNCA / [email protected] n two consecutive accidents, six TurAF pilots lost their lives. On shared the following observations: “I wish the meeting organ- February 24 when two RF-4E aircrafts of the 7th Main Jet Base ized today was more about Combatant Air Force Command it- 60 ICommand’s 173rd Reconnaissance Fleet collided with a 5325 self, with discussions centring on what it is, its current activities feet hill in the Akçadağ region of Malatya Province and 4 pilots and its plans for the future; however, we will instead focus were martyred. Just over a week later, two other pilots were mar- today on the F-4 accidents, which, in recent weeks have occu- tyred on March 5 when an F-4E 2020 aircraft of 1st Main Jet Base pied an important place in the public agenda… If we lose the Command’s 112th Fleet crashed during an electronic warfare trust of our people, we will also lose the most important source training exercise at the Electronic Warfare Testing Area of the of our strength. We take this into account when addressing this Konya Firing Range. The fact that the same aircraft model was in- concern expressed by the public concerning these accidents; volved in these accidents led to various speculations among the as almost immediately after these accidents, there was – I am public, including claims that these aircrafts were not safe, and sorry to say – a deluge of many ill-informed comments and in-

MSI Defence Review that the pilots had not received adequate training. terpretations. Almost everyone made comments about these

© During the press tour organized by TurAF to inform the public events to serve their own agenda, and I believe that you have about these events, General Abidin Ünal, Combatant Air Force all seen how certain comments and interpretations that are in and Air Missile Defence Commander gave a briefing to the no way based on fact, accurate information or knowledge of gathered guests before answering questions from members aviation can affect public opinion, and deeply sadden the fam-

All Photographs: of the press. At the beginning of his presentation, General Ünal ilies of our martyrs.”

MSI Turkish Defence Review - April 2015 www.milscint.com General Abidin Ünal, the Combatant Air Force and Air Missile Defence Commander The maintenance and overhaul work on a T-38 aircraft continues at 1st Air Supply and Maintenance Centre Command.

General Ünal said that the true cause of the accidents could only Answering a question concerning the retirement date of the RF- be determined after the preparation and publication of the Acci- 4Es after his presentation, General Ünal said: “If the accidents dent Investigation Report. Noting that the reports for both acci- hadn’t occurred, we would have retired the aircrafts on March 15 dents had not yet been completed, he said that all the speculations anyway. However, we did not announce this decision, but rather made at this stage would be “writings etched on ice”. Concerning mentioned a broad goal of June 2015… We had communications the preparation of these reports, General Ünal gave the example with TurAF three days before the accidents, in which we were of the report prepared for the F-5 of the Turkish Stars aerobatic asked whether the ‘F-16s were ready?’, and we responded by team that crashed on March 13, 2012, which was only published stating that they would be ready by March 15.” Answering another on February 25, 2014. Describing its content, General Ünal noted question, General Ünal stated that four electro-optic pods were that the said report included full information relating to the acci- deemed sufficient for meeting the current requirements, and that, dent, including the pilot’s health, the aircraft’s maintenance sta- taking into account the possibility of increased need in times of tus, and all radio communications during the flight and a technical crisis, the purchase of 4+2 more pods was now being considered. evaluation of every single component on the aircraft. The F-4E 2020 aircraft underwent modernization between 2003 and 2005, during which a total of nine avionics systems were The RF-4Es are Getting Retired changed on the aircraft, and 10 additional avionic systems were General Ünal responded to the criticism that the aircrafts were installed. In addition, the entire cable system and hydraulic tubes old, poorly maintained and unsafe by describing their history, the of the aircrafts were renovated, electronic warfare pods were maintenance concept of TurAF and its accident statistics. added to the aircraft, and Popeye missile capabilities were also The avionics, navigation, communication and passive electronic mounted. The F-4E 2020 aircraft will remain airworthy until 2020. warfare (EW) systems of the RF-4E aircraft, which are used for Concerning these aircraft, which are capable of carrying all types reconnaissance missions, underwent modernization between of ammunitions developed nationally by Turkey, General Ünal 2004 and 2010, while structural improvements were made to nine said: “They are our most strategic aircraft. None of our other air- main sections of the fuselage of the aircraft. In this regard, the craft shares the same capabilities.” The information provided dur- aircraft had been rendered airworthy until the end of 2015. ing the presentation concerning TurAF’s F-4E and RF-4E aircraft The 173rd Fleet currently has eight RF-4Es in its inventory, and is shown in Table 1, while the information concerning their re- these aircraft are planned to be replaced with F-16s carrying the moval from the inventory is shown in Table 2. four electro-optic pods procured within the scope of the Tactical Table 2. Retirement Process for the F-4E and RF-4E Aircraft Airborne Reconnaissance Pod Project. In this context, the retire- ment date for the RF-4Es was to be determined depending on the Year 2015 2016 2018 2019 2020 Number of Aircraft to be Retired 157720 completion of the testing phase of this project. General Ünal Number of Aircraft in Inventory 47 42 27 20 - stated that the tests had been completed on March 10, and that the F-16 aircraft were thus deemed ready for reconnaissance General Ünal expressed his confidence in the centre’s mainte- missions, meaning that the RF-4Es were planned to be retired nance systems, stating, “We affirm that any aircraft that leaves 61 after performing their final flights on March 12. our maintenance centre is airworthy, and no aircraft that is not airworthy will be allowed to pass Table 1. Information concerning the use of the TurAF’s F-4E and RF-4E aircraft our system.” His description of F-4E/2020 RF-4E Total TurAF’s maintenance approach is summarized in Table 3. He also Entry into the Number 182 54 236 noted that the maintenance cen- Inventory Year 1974-1994 1978-1995 tre has received international Turkey 28 (2020 Programme) + 16 (Şimşek Programme) 18 (Işık Programme) 88 Modernization quality assurance certification, Israel 26 (2020 Programme) - and that 1st Air Supply and Main- Out of Service Aircraft 85 36 121 tenance Centre Command in Aircraft Subject to Accident Investigations 50 10 60 Eskişehir was selected as the depot-level maintenance centre Aircraft in Use 47 8 55 for F135 engines for the Date of Removal from the Inventory 2020 2015 European continent.

www.milscint.com MSI Turkish Defence Review - April 2015 SPECIAL COVERAGE

Table 3. TurAF’s Aircraft Maintenance Approach Maintenance Level Maintenance Interval Responsible Authority Comments Before each Line Maintenance Daily maintenance according to Line Level flight Command the Aircraft’s Technical Orders. At the 100th, 200th, 300th, At maintenance Base Level 400th, 500th and 600th Base Command hangars, with flight hours special equipment. Detailed and controlled Air Supply and measurements, modification, Depot Level Once every 5 years Maintenance Centre restoration, major repairs and modernization

Statistics Support TurAF’s Standpoint while the pilots assumed they were being closely followed from During his presentation, General Ünal presented the accident sta- the ground and that the altitude information was going to be re- tistics for the F-4, F-5 and F-16 by making comparisons with the layed to them. This communication error led the aircraft to collide United States (Table 4). Stating that the world average is seven ac- with a 5,325 foot-high hill. Preliminary evaluations have shown cidents per 100,000 flight hours, General Ünal noted that the that the aircrafts had no malfunctions, and it was also determined F-4 and F-5 aircraft had been in TurAF’s inventory for a very long that the pilots made no attempts to eject. All four of the pilots had time, and that this inevitably affected the statistics. In addition, Gen- considerable experience flying F-4 aircraft. eral Ünal expressed that the successful maintenance of these air- According to General Ünal, the accident in Konya occurred while craft since their first entry into the inventory have allowed them to the aircraft was flying towards the Electronic Warfare Test and remain airworthy to this day. Training Area (EHTES) for training purposes. The pilots appear to Table 4. Accident Statistics for the F-4, F-5 and F-16 aircraft have lost control of the aircraft, possibly due to the low speeds and high angles of attack used during these manoeuvres while perform- Aircraft County Years Total Number Number of Accidents in Service of Accidents per 100,000 Flight Hours ing training-related evasive manoeuvres against surface-to-air mis- US 25 353 4.64 sile systems. The aircraft then began to descend uncontrollably F-4E Turkey 41 60 6.7 from an altitude of 9,000 feet at a location where the ground was US 26 40 8.82 F-5 3,000 feet above sea level. In the final moments, the front pilot ac- Turkey 50 44 9.3 tivated the cockpit’s ejector system, and although the rear pilot’s US 40 325 3.49 F-16 ejector seat was fired first, after the canopy detached, the ejector Turkey 27 35 3.1 seat could not separate from the aircraft on time due to the F-4’s General Ünal went on to share his own impressions of the acci- attitude at the time of ejection. The plane crashed before the front dents, providing the participants with a run-down of the currently pilot’s ejector seat could be fired. Concerning this presumed course available information on the accident in Malatya. On the day of the of events, General Ünal stated that, “Had the pilots fired the ejector accident, the two aircraft were performing a formation flight as a system just two seconds earlier, they would be with us today.” part of a night profile and reconnaissance mission. The accident Saying that they would take the necessary lessons from these ac- occurred during the landing. It is presumed that neither night nor cidents, General Ünal stated that “The rules of aviation have often meteorological conditions were involved in the accident. Prior to been written with blood. We will obtain the necessary conclusions the accident, the pilots requested landing under visibility condi- from these accidents, and once the Investigation Report has been tions, however, at one point, when the two aircraft were meant to completed, we will share the findings with the public. be flying at an altitude of 6,100 feet, they descended to an altitude of 5,100 feet. It would appear that at this stage the control units Resignations in Line with Yearly Average assumed that the aircraft were going to perform a visual landing, General Ünal also responded to claims that TurAF’s personnel training was inadequate and that many pilots had resigned in re- Table 5. Number of Pilots Resigning from TurAF by Year cent years. He said that TurAF trains between 110 and 125 pilots Year Retirement Resignation Transfer to Turkish Airlines Total every year, and noted that a nearly equal number of pilots resign According to a Protocol from the air force every year. The statistics shared by General 2010 45 40 18 103 Ünal on this subject are summarized in Table 5. In this table, the 62 2011 34 40 26 100 increase observed in 2013 was due to the reduction of the com- 2012 45 45 16 106 pulsory service period in TurAF to 10 years. Since pilots from two 2013 34 111 8 153 different terms gained the right to retire in 2013, this led to a dou- 2014 32 69 0 101 2015 3 1 0 4 F-4E 2020 Total 193 306 68 567

MSI Turkish Defence Review - April 2015 www.milscint.com SOM missile seen loaded on F-4E 2020. General Öztürk, seen before his flight with F-4E 2020.

bling of the number of pilots resigning from TurAF within the their lives for the homeland. May their souls rest in peace!” same year. General Ünal noted that nearly all of these resigning Prior to the farewell ceremony and retirement of the RF-4Es on pilots were instructors, and that the force vacancy, which consti- March 10, General Öztürk visited Combatant Air Force and Air Mis- tuted nearly one-sixth of the air force, was filled by approximately sile Defence Command and the 1st Main Jet Base Command, 300 instructor pilots working overtime. The numerical vacancies where he carried out inspections and evaluated the air-to-ground of instructor pilots, on the other hand, were closed between 2013 attack capabilities of the F-4E 2020 by flying the aircraft himself. and 2014. A survey conducted by TurAF to chart the reasons for Flying and completing the Datça Radar Assault mission in an F-4E pilot resignation revealed the following: 2020 aircraft of 112th Fleet Command, General Öztürk also fired a n Some of the pilots who had completed their compulsory SOM missile in a simulation environment. This event was organ- service period decided to leave the air force after the total ized by TurAF under the title “I would not Fly if I did not Trust”. period of service necessary to qualify for retirement was increased from 20 to 30 years. 1st Air Supply and n On his fourth year as a captain pilot, a pilot working for civilian Maintenance Centre Command airlines earns nearly four times the salary he would receive in TurAF. A number of pilots have thus left TurAF for reasons Presented to the Press relating to salary and benefits. During the second part of the press tour, the members of the press n For pilots desiring a more stable life for their families, the fact were shown around 1st Air Supply and Maintenance Centre Command that pilots are appointed to new tasks and posts every (1st ASMCC), the duties of which can be listed as follows: 3–4 years was another reason for the rise in resignations. n Providing engineering services to the aircraft and engines General Ünal described that no pilots had resigned as a protest. under its responsibility, At the end of his presentation, Ünal shared the following thoughts: n Performing maintenance, repair, modification, test and “The Air Force have another fleet – one that is eternal and undy- calibration activities, ing. The servicemen we have lost have now been committed to n Manufacturing spare parts, and this fleet. Every time we fly high into the sky, we feel in our hearts n Conducting activities for system improvement, modernization that they are still flying with us.” and integration. Beginning its activities in 1926 as the “Eskişehir Aircraft RF-4Es have been Retired, Maintenance Unit” (“Eskişehir Tayyare Tamirhanesi”), while F-4E 2020s have Restored Trust the command is responsible for the technical management of the As described during the press conference, TurAF’s RF-4E aircraft F-16, F-4, NF-5, T-38 and KT-1T aircraft in TurAF’s inventory, were officially retired on March 12. General Akın Öztürk, the Com- and also for the technical management of the engines in these mander of TurAF, and General Abidin Ünal, the Combatant Air aircrafts and 27 other types of engines. Force and Air Missile Defence Commander, visited the 7th Main As a technology repair centre, 1st ASMCC also performs the depot-level Jet Base Command at Erhaç, Malatya, to see the final flights of maintenance and repair, as well as the modernization and structural the RF-4E. The last reconnaissance flight of an RF-4E aircraft was renovation of the aircraft under its responsibility. Since its establishment, performed by General Öztürk in the RF-4E with the tail number the command has carried out depot-level maintenance activities on more 77-0315. With this flight, the last of the old generation aerial “wet than 9,000 engines, and currently conducts repair, modification and 63 photographs” taken during reconnaissance missions also took renovation activities on over 250 engines and 35,000 spare parts every their place in history together with the venerable RF-4E aircraft. year. Furthermore, as a result of the studies initiated in 2006, Turkey’s At the end of the RF-4E’s mission flight, General Öztürk saluted first engine test cell known as Atılım was developed under the roof of 1st the pilots and maintenance personnel of 173rd Fleet Command, ASMCC, the software and hardware of which were developed entirely who were waiting at the beginning of the runway, by flying above through national means and capabilities. All activities of 1st ASMCC are the Erhaç Airfield. After General Öztürk landed, TurAF’s RF-4E conducted with quality management systems based on international aircrafts bid farewell to Erhaç Airfield and the sky. standards. Adopting an integrated management system, 1st ASMCC During the farewell ceremony of the RF-4E reconnaissance air- utilizes and integrates internationally accepted management systems to craft that was held in the rain, General Öztürk, who has clocked ensure quality, as well as environmental and occupational health and over 2,000 flight hours in F-4s, said: “I would like to express my safety. The command also ensures the continued validity of its thanks and gratitude to our commanders, pilots and all our sup- internationally-accepted documents and certificates through periodic port personnel who have served their country with these aircraft. accreditation activities, and is the first military industrial institution in I would also like to commemorate the brave pilots who lost their Europe to have received an AS 9110 certificate, and the first in Turkey to lives in the recent accidents, as well as all of our martyrs who gave have received the AS 9100 certificate. www.milscint.com MSI Turkish Defence Review - April 2015 SPECIAL COVERAGE

ASELSAN Marks 40 Years in Business with Radar and Electronic Warfare Technology Centre Forty years to the day since its foundation, ASELSAN celebrated the official opening of the ASELSAN Radar and Electronic Warfare Technology Centre, established in the Gölbaşı district of Ankara, on March 16, with the participation of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Ümit BAYRAKTAR / [email protected] of all defence industry R&D investments in Turkey, as well as 4 he opening ceremony was attended by President Recep percent of Turkey’s total commercial R&D investments. Over the Tayyip Erdoğan; Prime Minister Prof. Dr. Ahmet Davutoğlu; past three years we have made investments into the establish- TGeneral Necdet Özel, Commander of the Turkish Armed ment of five new facilities, two of which are located abroad, and 64 Forces (TAF); Yalçın Akdoğan, Deputy Prime Minister; Kenan three -including the one we are inaugurating today- located in İpek, Minister of Justice; Fikri Işık, Minister of Science, Industry Turkey. In order to make this growth sustainable, we seek to ex- and Technology; Akif Çağatay Kılıç, Minister of Youth and Sports; pand our current sub-contractor network of 400 organizations Sebahattin Öztürk, Minister of Interior; Dr. İsmet Yılmaz, Minister across the country, and to increase Turkey’s technological depth of National Defence; and Hamad Bin Ali el-Atiyye, Qatari Minister by industrializing ASELSAN’s skills and capabilities through part- of Defence, as well as military representatives from foreign coun- nerships. In this context, the investments into the production of tries and many other invitees. optical and gallium nitrate-based chips that we initiated last year The opening speech at the ceremony was given by Dr. Hasan based on a partnership model represents a first for Turkey in the Canpolat, Chairman of the Board at ASELSAN, who provided the field. ASELSAN invests continuously in R&D and qualified human participants with a summary of ASELSAN’s achievements to resources, and today employs nearly 3,000 engineers in its offices. ASELSAN

© date and its current situation: “Over the past 10-year period, Through its cooperation with 24 different universities, ASELSAN ASELSAN’s turnover in US dollars has increased 5-fold, while its has become the largest R&D and technology centre in both the exports have increased more than 17-fold. In this respect, country and the region.” In his speech, Dr. Canpolat spoke about ASELSAN is described as the 4th fastest growing defence com- the reason for the construction of the new facility: “Due to the in-

All Photograps: pany in the world… ASELSAN single-handedly makes 34 percent sufficiency of the Macunköy campus for the design, production

MSI Turkish Defence Review - April 2015 www.milscint.com and especially testing of radar and electronic warfare systems, a decision was taken in 2012 for the construction of the facility that we are inaugurating today. This facility will provide the most crit- ical technologies for the country’s defence, and when considered alongside the facility being built for the production of gallium ni- trate-based chips, it is possible to state that Turkey has become one of the few countries that have been able to eliminate external dependence in radar and electronic warfare at all levels, from chip to platforms and systems, and which are capable of conducting Electronic Warfare – the Art of Winning Wars design and production activities in this area.” without Fighting Also speaking at the ceremony was Prime Minister Prof. Dr. ASELSAN Assumes Pioneering Role Ahmet Davutoğlu, who reminded the participants of the cente- Taking the floor after Dr. Canpolat, Dr. İsmet Yılmaz, the Minister nary commemorations of the Battle of Çanakkale and the 40th of National Defence, gave a speech describing Turkey’s goals, anniversary of ASELSAN’s foundation. He said that the war had and ASELSAN’s role in their achievement: “Within the scope of been lost despite the heroism shown at such fronts as Çanakkale, the 2023 vision of New Turkey, we are working to ensure that Sarıkamış and Yemen. “This shows that, if a nation lacks the nec- Turkey becomes one of the 10 leading countries in the world in essary technological capacity and defensive strength, heroism the field of defence, as well as in other areas. Our main goals are may still allow them to achieve epic victories, although it will not to increase the combat power of TAF, to procure and modernize allow them to ensure their survival,” he explained. Davutoğlu said combat vehicles and equipment for our armed forces through that ASELSAN’s foundation itself had been the result of the em- national means and capabilities, and to ensure that we maintain a sufficient force as an effective deterrent in favour of peace. We ASELSAN Radar and consider all of these factors to be prerequisites for our country’s Electronic Warfare independence. Our defence sector has shown significant progress in recent times, and defence systems with critical tech- Technology Centre nologies are now being designed and produced by our domestic The ASELSAN Radar and Electronic Warfare Technology Centre, industries. With each passing day, we are delivering increasingly situated at ASELSAN’s Gölbaşı Campus, will carry out design, better products to TAF, and have managed to establish an indus- production, testing and logistic support activities for all types of trial production strength and capability consisting of over 1,000 radar and electronic warfare systems required in both military and companies, research centres and universities. The ratio of TAF’s civilian areas, and also for the antennas, microwave components requirements that are met domestically -which is the most im- and modules, and software products used in these systems. portant indicator of industrial development in defence- has The centre contains integration and testing areas for new radar and reached 55 percent. I would like to emphasize that ASELSAN, electronic warfare systems, design and production facilities for which is today celebrating its 40th anniversary, has played a pio- microwave components and modules, and special laboratories neering role in this success.” for carrying out of measurements. Minister Yılmaz went on to speak about ASELSAN’s activities at an international level: “ASELSAN is reflecting abroad the activi- Construction Information ties it is conducting at a domestic level to great effect, having es- n Start Date of Construction: March 2012 tablished joint production facilities in Kazakhstan, Jordan and the n Completion Date of Construction: November 2014 United Arab Emirates, licensed radio production facilities in Pak- n Construction Cost : $70 million istan and an R&D company in the Republic of South Africa. In ad- n Equipment Investments: $87 million dition, the construction of a Turkish facility that will produce n Open area: 350,000 m2 ASELSAN-licensed radios is currently ongoing in Saudi Arabia, n Enclosed area: 75,000 m2 with the opening of the facility expected within this year.” Personnel Information n Number of Personnel: 1,063 n Number of Engineers: 776 65 n Number of R&D Personnel: 619 n Number of Personnel with Master’s Degree: 387 n Number of Personnel with Doctorate Degree: 40

www.milscint.com MSI Turkish Defence Review - April 2015 SPECIAL COVERAGE

bargoes imposed upon Turkey in the past related to vital defence technologies. Describing how technology has changed war, Davutoğlu said: “In past ages, men were the main determining factor in the battle- field. This began to change with the arrival of firearms and other technologies, and this change became most apparent in the bat- tles of the 19th century during the Napoleonic Wars.” Sharing his views on electronic warfare, Davutoğlu said: “Electronic warfare is the art of winning wars without fighting. The human factor is still important; however with electronic warfare you can win a war without having to send your men into confrontations. If you lack electronic warfare capabilities, enemy units can easily reach you and cause you harm, even in your capital city. We have seen examples of this in the Middle East, in the operations organized by Israel in Syria.” Davutoğlu said that equally as important as knowing technology is having the will and the financial strength to transform tech- nology into systems and platforms, noting that Turkey allocates approximately $1 billion every year for defence R&D. Davutoğlu concluded his speech saying: “On ASELSAN’s 40th anniversary, the establishment of the Radar and Electronic Warfare Technol- ogy Centre is a historical step. This step has aroused pride among our people, fear among those who have any ill thoughts and in- tentions towards Turkey, and great support, excitement and strength among friendly nations.” “I Find the Thought of Direct Procurements Very Displeasing” The final speech of the ceremony was given by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who marked ASELSAN’s 40th anniversary by saying: “ASELSAN has raised itself to the league of the industrial giants, both in Turkey and across the world in its particular field, and keeps reaching ever higher levels of success with each pass- President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Prime Minister Prof. Dr. Ahmet Davutoğlu, General Necdet ing year. Through its achievements, ASELSAN continues to be a Özel, Commander of the Turkish Armed Forces and Dr. İsmet Yılmaz, Minister of National source of pride for us all. I am confident that ASELSAN, which Defence, inspected the systems that were displayed at a specially prepared exhibition area. restructured its organization last year, is now an even stronger At the end of this speech, President Erdoğan made the following organization, in accordance with Turkey’s 2023 objectives. On its appeal to ASELSAN and the sector in general: “Take the neces- 40th anniversary, I say Masha’Allah to ASELSAN 41 times, and sary steps to incorporate all of your products that have reached would like to express that we expect many more services from the production stage into TAF’s inventory. Initiate new projects this distinguished organization.” President Erdoğan went on to at the earliest opportunity. Accelerate your R&D activities as say: “Today, with over 1,000 companies, research institutions, much as possible, as well as your design and prototype produc- universities and Small and Middle-sized Enterprises (SMEs), the tion activities. We should not be spending a single cent abroad defence sector has become one of the most important sectors in for our defence industry requirements. This is because our nation our country. Last year, production activities exceeded $5 billion, supports and supplies this industry with the resources it allocates while $1.647 billion of exports were made. This industry, which from its own prosperity – from the wealth it would otherwise have engages approximately $1 billion-worth of R&D every year, is granted to its own children. It is based on this perspective that 66 rapidly on its way to becoming the admiral ship of our country’s we see and consider our defence sector budget. New Turkey industry and technology.” should not only be self-sufficient in the area of defence, but must Describing that Turkey’s previous initiatives in the area of defence also aid and meet the requirements of its friends and brothers. and aerospace had been interrupted, President Erdoğan said: Have no doubt that I, as the President, and my government are “God willing, Turkey will not repeat the mistakes it made between always on your side concerning this subject. I would like to con- the 1930s and 2000s. Through ongoing projects and investments, gratulate ASELSAN for the successes it has achieved to date, and we plan to largely eliminate external dependence in the area of also for its ongoing projects; however, these are not sufficient. defence by 2023. Let me state this clearly: I find the thought of We need many more defence industry organizations with the directly procuring any ready defence industry product in whose same capabilities as ASELSAN. In this respect, we believe that design stage and production stage we were not involved to be our private sector must show greater efforts to this end, and cre- very displeasing. The phrase ‘This product is one hundred per- ate a competitive environment. I expect greater efforts from our cent domestically produced,’ which the General Manager of domestic companies and universities on this subject.” ASELSAN uttered several times while we were touring the facil- At the end of the ceremony, Dr. Canpolat, Chairman of the Board ity, brings us great satisfaction, because such matters are of at ASELSAN, presented President Erdoğan a certificate for the strategic importance for us.” 500 tree saplings planted in the Gölbaşı Campus on his behalf.

MSI Turkish Defence Review - April 2015 www.milscint.com

SPECIAL COVERAGE With the Powerpack Development Project, Sector Gains a New Player

he powerpack, which is The National Powerpack project was initiated for the design, planned to be used pri- Tmarily for the ALTAY development and local production of the necessary powerpacks tanks, will be developed for land and naval platforms, especially tanks. An agreement through the optimum use of local means and capabilities, for this project was singed in Ankara on March 17 between the and by obtaining technical support from abroad when Undersecretariat for Defence Industries (SSM) and the prime necessary. In accordance with contractor in the project, Tümosan Engine and Tractor Co. the Defence Industry Executive Committee’s (SSIK) decision (TÜMOSAN). dated August 6, 2014, the K. Burak CODUR / [email protected] agreement meetings for the Vehbi TUNCA / [email protected] National Powerpack project – which will involve indigenous design, development, proto- type production, testing, and qualification activities – have been conducted by TÜMOSAN. With the signing of this agree- ment, the €190 million project with a planned duration of 54 months has entered a new phase. The signing ceremony was attended by Prof. Dr. İsmail Demir, Undersecretary for Defence Industries, and by Lieutenant General Alpaslan Erdoğan, the Chief of the Gen- eral Planning and Principles Division of the Turkish General TÜMOSAN Defence Staff, and was witnessed by many other high-ranking Industry Inc. was Founded invitees. During the ceremony, Semra Öztürk, the Director of Mechan- With the signing of the agreement, TÜMOSAN enters a period of ical Subsystems in the Subsystems Department of the SSM, intense and challenging research and development (R&D) activity. began by providing a general outline of the project. She said TÜMOSAN’s “Activity Report of the Board of Directors Regarding that the project will be undertaken in two separate phases, the January 1–December 31, 2014 Accounting Period” provides being “Design and Development” and “Serial Production and the following information on the company’s R&D activities: Use”. The Design and Development Period will include the fol- n The TÜMOSAN R&D Centre was established in 2005. lowing stages: n The centre continues its activities form its facilities in n Requirement Identification Stage (Stage-1); ITU Teknopark. 68 n Preliminary System Design Stage (Stage-2); n Its R&D activities include mainly Vehicle Design, as well as n Critical Design Stage (Stage-3); Transmission and Diesel Engine. n Subsystem Production and Testing Stage (Stage-4); n The R&D Centre currently employs 42 engineers. n System Integration and Product Qualification Stage (Stage-5). n The test laboratory and facilities of the R&D centre are located The powerpack to be developed within the scope of the project will in Konya. have the following system characteristics: In a statement released on March 19 (after the signing ceremony), n V-12 structure, with an approximately 26 litre volume; TÜMOSAN announced the founding of TÜMOSAN Defence Industry n A total volume of 5.5 m3, including transmission; Inc. The statement said: “The unanimous decision of the Company n Two high-pressure turbocharged feeds; Board of Directors No. 09, dated March 19, 2015, confirms the n Common rail injection system; establishment of an incorporated company with the name MSI Defence Review n TÜMOSAN DEFENCE INDUSTRY INC., whose capital will belong

© Five forward and three reverse gears; n 360o rotation ability, allowing the tank to rotate in entirely to TÜMOSAN. It was also decided with a unanimous both directions on its own axis. decision that the initial capital of this company shall be n Integrated functioning of the electronic control system 1,000,000 liras, and that the necessary procedures concerning the with the powerpack. founding of this company should be commenced forthwith”. All Photographs:

MSI Turkish Defence Review - April 2015 www.milscint.com Semra Öztürk, the Director of Mechanical Subsystems Nuri Albayrak, Chairman of the Board Prof. Dr. İsmail Demir, Undersecretary in the Subsystems Department of the SSM at TÜMOSAN for Defence Industries

The industrial participation and offset ratio of the project has been and the system known as “powerpack” is one of the most impor- determined as 70 percent, while there is an obligation of 15 percent tant elements on this journey. When we gave the initial presenta- SME (Small- and Medium-Sized Enterprise) involvement in Cate- tions of the powerpack project, we included not only the images of gory-A activities, which are defined in the SSM’s Industrial Partic- the tank, but also the images of 10 different product types, after ipation/Offset Guide. The intellectual property and industrial rights which we informed the relevant parties that these products would of the developed product will belong to the SSM, and there will be require an engine and power system of a specific level.” no restrictions on the export of the finished product. Taking the floor after Öztürk, Nuri Albayrak, the Chairman of the Board at TÜMOSAN, expressed his pleasure and pride at the proj- ect. He said: “I am fully confident that the project will be completed successfully; our company and group will fully dedicate them- selves to its realization. Following the completion of the project, both TÜMOSAN and Turkey will reach a commendable level in the development and production of diesel engines and engine trans- missions, and the experience we will acquire during the project will enable us to meet similar demands and requirements in other commercial areas – especially with regards to any future power- packs the Turkish Armed Forces (TAF) might require.”

Project will Eliminate External Dependence Prof. Dr. Demir described the SSM’s policy as well as their expec- The final speech of the ceremony was given by Prof. Dr. İsmail tations concerning the project as follows: “The path ahead of us Demir, Undersecretary for Defence Industries. Emphasizing the will be difficult; however, there is a saying which states that: ‘Re- importance of the project, Prof. Dr. Demir stated that: “The tender gardless of how high a mountain is, there is always a path to cross of the project had been finalized and made ready for signature at it.’ We are determined to find this path… and are fully solution-ori- about the time I took office. I therefore would like to thank all my ented. We are determined to take every measure necessary for colleagues who worked on and contributed to the project in its the successful conduct and completion of the project by imple- preparatory stages. As you are all well aware, as a result of the menting the classical project management approaches of our Un- characteristics of the region in which our country is located, we dersecretariat more aggressively, and by working with greater are working to meet the requirements of our armed forces through emphasis to detail. In this context, there is an important point that local means and capabilities. As emphasized yesterday by the Es- I would like to make for the contracting company: With this project, teemed President of the Republic, the time has come to end our we wish to eliminate all forms of external dependence. During the dependence on foreign imports, and to move with great determi- course of the project, you may use as many foreign personnel as nation towards eliminating fully our external dependence. In re- you wish, or make as much information transfer from foreign par- cent years, we have been making rapid progress along this path … ties as you deem necessary… But in the end, we want to obtain a 69 system that is independent in all its details. At the end of the day, we wish to obtain a system over which we have total control, whose rights belong entirely to us, and which has no restric- tions or limitations of any type. I would like to highlight this de- sire in particular.” After the signing of the agree- ment, the ceremony ended with the taking of a group pho- tograph and a cocktail recep- tion. www.milscint.com MSI Turkish Defence Review - April 2015 SPECIAL COVERAGE

Gioacchino Alfano, Undersecretary Prof. Dr. İsmail Demir, Mauro Moretti, of the Italian Ministry of Defence Undersecretary for Defence Industries CEO of Finmeccanica SASAD Expands Cooperative Activities with Italy The Turkey-Italy Defence and Aerospace Industry Days event was held on March 24–25 in Ankara, hosted by the Defence and Aerospace Industry Manufacturers Association (SASAD) and the Italian Industries Federation for Aerospace, Defence and Security (AIAD). The aim of the event was to develop the level of defence and aerospace industry cooperation between Turkey and Italy, and to form new solution partnerships. Following the half-day opening session on the first day of the event, the participating companies took the opportunity to engage in one-to-one meetings. Şebnem ASİL / [email protected] Offset Obligations are Noteworthy Vehbi TUNCA / [email protected] Taking the floor after Alfano, Prof. Dr. İsmail Demir, Undersec- he first speech of the opening ceremony was given by retary for Defence Industries, shared his thoughts concerning the Gioacchino Alfano, Undersecretary of the Italian Ministry of cooperation between the two countries: “Since yesterday evening TDefence. He began by stating that defence occupies an im- we have been discussing the subject of cooperation between our portant place in the relations between Italy and Turkey, and that two countries, as well as various existing examples of this coop- “In this context, the level of cooperation which has been attained eration, mentioning the ATAK project as an example. We would in the area of defence over time is very significant. Especially in the like to see more examples of such cooperative projects, and there areas of aviation and space, we see Italian companies becoming are numerous opportunities for this. As I have always said, activ- contractors in large and important projects. Both Italy and Turkey ities should be conducted with the spirit of cooperation. We have are countries with fairly advanced defence industries, and their re- long past the times when one party assumed the role of customer spective capabilities are, in many areas, complementary. The proj- while the other assumed the role of vendor. We have made great 70 ect design and engineering services developed by Italian efforts to ensure that our de- companies in the aviation and shipbuilding sectors, as well as their fence sector reaches a certain experience and knowledge in the provision of logistic support, are level, but we still have a long of considerable interest for the Turkish aviation and shipbuilding way ahead of us, and realize sectors. Other areas of opportunity include the cyber defence and that there is much more to be aviation training sectors, where Finmeccanica is conducting activ- done. That said, we have the ities as one of the most important partners of NATO and space motivation, as well as the nec- technologies in the in which Turkey has high expectations.” essary resources and will, to Table 1. Comparison of ATAK with Similar Programs MSI Defence Review Programme Start Date First First Delivery Total Duration Cost Relative to © of Programme Flight Date (years) ATAK Programme Tiger 1984 1991 2005 21 6.5 times Comanche 1988 1996 Cancelled in 2004 16 2.3 times AH-1Z 1996 2000 2010 14 3.7 times ATAK 2008 2011 2014 6 1 time All Photographs:

MSI Turkish Defence Review - April 2015 www.milscint.com Hüseyin Baysak, General Secretary Carlo Festucci, of SASAD Secretary of AIAD achieve this. On this journey, we would like to see our Italian col- infrastructure and capabilities of Turkey and emphasized a form leagues alongside us, as this cooperation between the two parties of cooperation involving technology transfer.” must be based on a win-win approach which might not always re- Mentioning the changes Finmeccanica was currently undergo- sult in a 50/50 situation, but will always benefit both parties.” ing, Moretti said: “Finmeccanica is presently undergoing a deep The most important part of Prof. Dr. Demir’s speech was his mes- and comprehensive reorganization process. Our goal is to create sage about offset: “Many Italian companies have carried out im- a structure that will support our leadership in selected areas of portant activities in Turkey, and some of these companies have aerospace, defence and security to allow us to compete effec- accumulated offset obligations. It is unfortunate that these obliga- tively in the global arena and to provide us with the opportunity tions have not yet been fulfilled, despite the many opportunities to utilize our experiences. We have determined a number of pri- that were available. As the Undersecretariat for Defence Industries orities to achieve this goal. We first wish to optimize our product (SSM), we are here to help. I am certain that many important op- family, and to implement various investment options. In addition, portunities for further cooperation with Turkish companies will ap- we also wish to accelerate measures for saving capital and in- pear, especially with SMEs (Small- and Medium-Size Enterprises), creasing productivity, and focus more on income-generating and such cooperative activities can lead to new success stories and sectors.” achievements. We believe that offset will become more of an op- Next to the podium was Hüseyin Baysak, General Secretary of portunity rather than an obligation, and as the SSM, we are ready SASAD, who expressed that due to the decreasing defence budgets to assist, with no financial expectations being involved.” around the world, Turkey and Italy should consider cooperation in international markets. He went on to give a presentation on SASAD Emphasis on Cooperation to the audience. The session following the opening speeches was opened by Mauro The final speaker of the session was Carlo Festucci, Secretary of Moretti, CEO of Finmeccanica. Describing that the two countries AIAD. Festucci stated that, with approximately 150 members, were engaged in excellent mutual cooperation, Moretti stated that: AIAD assumes the role of a national interface for foreign institu- “This success cannot be attributed solely to the quality of our prod- tions and organizations in the areas of defence and security, and ucts or the commercial skills of our countries. Through a success- provided the participants with some figures charting the Italian ful model, we were able to understand and respond to Turkey’s defence and aerospace sector: demands in a timely manner. We did not see Turkey solely as a n 50,000 employees market with a rapidly growing economy and gradually increasing n €15.1 billion turnover defence budget, but rather as a potential first level industrial part- n Approximately two-thirds of its turnover is export-related ner. Over the years, our companies have examined the industrial (In 2013, Italy had a positive trade balance amounting to $5 billion) 71

www.milscint.com MSI Turkish Defence Review - April 2015 SPECIAL COVERAGE

Sunar Oktay, the Director Gianluca Baldassarre, of Business Corporate Development, International Helicopter Group Süleyman Altuntaş, Program Development Director at TAI Manager at MilSOFT at Vitrociset

Companies Shared their Cooperation Experiences veloped from scratch, while the AH-1Z and ATAK were devel- In the final session of the event, representatives from companies oped based on a pre-existing platform. gave presentations giving examples of successful cooperation be- Süleyman Altuntaş, Program Manager at MilSOFT, provided infor- tween the two countries. mation about the Link-16 system they had provided as a sub-con- Sunar Oktay, the Director of Business Development, Helicopter tractor to Alenia within the scope of the MELTEM-3 Project. In this Group at TAI, gave a presentation on the ATAK project, listing the project, MilSOFT developed hardware and software compatible achievements of the project as follows: with STANAG 5516 Ed. 5 and MIL-STD-6016(C) for the MELTEM-3 n Seven helicopters delivered. Link 16 system, which is a member of the Link 11/16 product range n 34 pilots and 90 technicians trained. of MilSOFT. According to Altuntaş, the airplane is expected to per- n More than 5,000 flight hours performed. form its first flight at the beginning of this year, and will complete n A total of 180 fire tests performed with anti-tank missiles, its testing and qualification process by mid-2016. rockets and cannons. Gianluca Baldassarre, Corporate International Development Di- n 3 million lines of software code written for the rector at Vitrociset, described the activities they had undertaken main computer. as a sub-contractor to ROKETSAN within the scope of the Min- n 2 million pages of documentation prepared. istry of National Defence Fire Test and Evaluation Centre, which n More than 320 panel meetings held. was established at the Karapınar district of Konya and inaugu- n More than 450 ground and air tests performed. rated on March 24. For the Centre’s establishment, ROKETSAN n 42 new avionic units designed. was selected as prime contractor by the NATO NSPA itself, and n Tests carried out in four different continents. ROKETSAN, in turn, selected Vitrociset for the development of n Helicopter blades produced in Turkey for the first time. the Test Range Command and Control (TRCC) and EOS (Optical n Proposal prepared for five international tenders, Mobile Tracking Systems) sub-systems, with a €8.7 million with tender criteria satisfied in each. agreement being signed between the companies in July 2012. n Participation ensured in four international air shows. Vitrociset’s solution was based on a previously developed sub- n Participation ensured in two military exercises. system, but with some significant changes, and was delivered on In his presentation, Oktay used slides to compare the ATAK project time. with other similar projects (without naming them). In addition to the presentations, promotional films documenting Based on the information provided by Oktay, we identified the OSSA and METU TSSK were shown during this session. relevant projects and names, and listed them in Table 1. Oktay The event continued with one-to-one meetings between the par- 72 noted that the Tiger and Comanche programmes had been de- ticipating companies.

SPECIAL COVERAGE FNSS MILDESIGN Supports Designers of the Future After describing in the March issue of MSI Turkish Defence Review the first-, second- and third-ranking projects in the Professional Category of the FNSS MILDESIGN competition, as well as the four projects that received an honourable mention in this category, we now present the first-, second- and third-ranking projects in the Student Category, along with the four projects that received an honourable mention. Şebnem ASİL / [email protected]

Winner in the Student Category The TRUVA Team (consisting of Alican SAYAN, Faruk MERT, Enes YİĞİT, Kübra KAYA) Gazi University Participation Code : S-14PZ34 Participation Status : Team Participation Design : ATILGAN ATILGAN is a light-class armoured combat vehicle based on a 6x6 design concept. As can be seen in the contest poster, the design of the vehicle has been inspired by horse barding and the Pangolin, an animal with nat- urally solid and sharp armour protection. The vehicle has a maximum crew capacity of 11, with seating for the driver, weapons operator and vehicle commander in the front, and room for an eight-man patrol/intervention team seated in the rear. The driver, weapons operator and vehicle com- itary transport planes (vehicle height: 2.50 m), while access to confined mander enter the vehicle through the side doors, while the intervention areas can be provided through the use of two hooks on the front and rear team accesses from the rear. The vehicle’s six 54”-diameter wheels with of the chassis that allow the vehicle to be hoisted by helicopter. The ve- independent suspension provide it high manoeuvrability over all types of hicle also has a visual system named “Pure Vision” that can determine terrain and under all geographical conditions, while the two water jets the direction/angle of cameras using the head movements of the vehicle situated at the rear allow the vehicle to traverse rivers, lakes and swamp crew as reference. Furthermore, the vehicle is equipped with remote con- areas, regardless of depth, with ease. In addition, vehicle’s bottom has a trol systems that allow operation from a fixed cockpit with identical fea- V-shaped design to facilitate movement in water and to increase resist- tures to the vehicle’s own cockpit established at the central ance against potential mine threats. The vehicle has been designed with base/headquarters, allowing the vehicle to be operated remotely. With a dimensions suitable for transportation by present-day mil- specially-designed hinge system and control unit, it is possible to open the vehicle’s rear door in three different directions (right, left and up-

FNSS wards) to suit different combat conditions, with easy control from within © the vehicle. The unmanned aerial reconnaissance vehicle – a quad- copter – mounted on the top of the vehicle offers the crew the ability to collect information from areas that would normally be diffi- cult or impossible to reach. The concept design of the

74 All Photographs: vehicle armour incorporates new material tech- nologies with high mechanical resistance, including ceramic armour (with Al203 matrix SiC continuous fibre-support ce- ramic composite), boron fibre aluminium composites and honeycomb structures. In addition, there is also the option of PX- 350 (PAXCON®) energy-absorbing plat- ing for the armour on the underside of the vehicle, while the design of the vehi- cle’s windows envisages the use of ma- terials manufactured to EN1063 (BR2-BR7) and STANAG4 569 (LVL II-III) standards.

MSI Turkish Defence Review - April 2015 www.milscint.com 2nd Place in the Student Category The METÇEK Team (consisting of Mehmet ÇİÇEK - Mimar Sinan University, Mehmet METİN - Marmara University) Participation Code : S-14GX43 Participation Status : Team Participation Design : ROBOZIRH The ROBOZIRH is a vehicle incorporating robotics and amour, and has been de- signed with inspiration from the Iron Man, Transformers and Robocop films. The ROBOZIRH is a 6x6 armoured combat vehicle with a 10-man crew, comprising a commander, one personnel and eight soldiers. The commander and personnel have a frontal field of vision in the vehicle, while the weapons system is a re- design of ASELSAN’s STAMP, which is integrated into the frame of the vehicle. The weapon is capable of 360o rotation and 70o upwards and downwards move- ment, and is controlled by one member of the crew from within the vehicle.

3rd Place in the Student Category Berk KAPLAN Gazi University Participation Code : S-14MQ39 Participation Status : Individual Participation Design : FNSS-MV1 To ensure maximum ballistic protection, the design of the FNSS MV1 (Modular Vehicle 1) uses no glass, instead making extensive use of wide-angled night vision cameras, sensors and radars that also facilitate the remote control of the vehicle. The vehicle has a modular design, offering the ability to add/re- move equipment/parts to/from the main chassis. Each wheel has its own “hub” engine, while a quadcopter mounted on top of the vehicle serves as the FNSS-MV1’s “eyes in the sky”. The main vehicle has a capacity of two crew and six soldiers, while the vehicle design aims to ensure more accurate firing with less movement through the use of laser designators in its weapons. The grooves in the vehicle’s wheels house folding flaps/paddles that, coupled with the water jets in the rear of the vehicle, facilitate movement through water, while the cornered V-shaped design of the chassis not only facilitates movement through water, but also increases resistance against explosives. 75 The vehicle is accessed from the rear; however there is also a protected emer- gency door on the front of the main chassis for use in emergencies.

www.milscint.com MSI Turkish Defence Review - April 2015 SPECIAL COVERAGE

Student Category Honourable Mention Deniz YENİDOĞAN Mimar Sinan University Participation Code : S-14OQ76 Participation Status : Individual Participation Design : MOD-17

The MOD-17 is an armoured and modular military land vehicle design concept offering both manned and remote-controlled operation. The main objective of the MOD-17 is to be capable of performing configuration changes not only through equipment modifica- tions, but also size modification. The vehicle comes in four varieties in terms of size, which are achieved through the addition of certain modules. The main frame of the vehicle has a telescopic structure on which the modules are mounted, al- lowing the vehicle to be transformed into various configurations, including personnel carrier, ambulance, com- bat vehicle, rescue and maintenance vehicle, and control centre. The am- phibious MOD-17 offers maximum re- sistance against adverse weather and terrain conditions through its half-track wheel configuration. Student Category Honourable Mention The TASARIMGARAJI Team (Denizhan ARDA, Ömer Berk YÜKSEL, Enis ALTINKAYNAK, Ulaş TİGİN) Anadolu University Participation Code : S-14KJ52 Participation Status : Team Participation Design : GERGEDAN The main purpose of this vehicle is to allow the rapid and reliable delivery and transport of large and heavy objects under difficult conditions. The vehicle is designed to ensure maximum benefit through its different drive combinations and customizable internal car- rying space. With a rear internal volume of 8,500 litres, the vehicle can be customized to undertake different missions through changes in the structural design and through the addition and utilization of different equipment. Its unique wheel technology and its advanced floating dynamics allow the vehicle to adapt to manoeuvre in all types of terrain and in any environment. To ensure adaptation to different terrains, a second set of flexible wheels housed within the main wheels increase the cross-sectional area of the wheels and change the wheel texture with the effect of ensuring greater road-holding. For rapid movement and effective manoeuvring capability, the vehicle can pull its middle wheels upwards with the aid of hydraulic its suspension, and then transition from a 6x6 system into a 4x4 system. When moving in the 6x6 configuration, the vehicle uses six independent electric engines, while in the 4x4 configuration, greater speed is provided from the diesel engine.

Student Category Honourable Mention The SCORPION Team (Ömer YEŞİLDAL, Mehmet Emin METERELLİYÖZ) Abant İzzet Baysal University Participation Code : S-14TV07 Participation Status : Team Participation Design : SCORPION

The design process for this vehicle was initiated using the scorpion – a small yet ef- ficiently designed living creature – as reference. An evaluation of the scorpion’s anatomical and physiological structure shows that its flexible tail, articulations and claws enhances the strength of its physical attacks. Based on this observation, a robotic “scorpion arm” was developed within the context of this design to meet the various requirements of present-day battlefield conditions. The robotic arms can fulfil a wide range of different tasks that can be listed in various groups. With two arms and eight storage units, the vehicle’s arms can perform 10 types of movement. With amphibious characteristics, the vehicle can, like a submarine, move around at greater depths below the surface of the water assisted by its arms, while the four cameras located around the vehicle offer maximum situational awareness. The vi- bration absorbers connected to the vehicles drive system permit smoother and bet- ter-controlled driving, while also harnessing and converting vibrations into energy. 77

Student Category Honourable Mention Mert Murat KOCAMAN Marmara University Participation Code : S-14ZN76 Participation Status : Individual Participation The modular structure of the main vehicle – which is designed for re- connaissance purposes – can take part in operational missions follow- ing the addition of one or two cabins, depending on the mission requirements. Its large-diameter wheels and high cabin allow the ve- hicle to traverse difficult and rocky terrain with ease.

www.milscint.com MSI Turkish Defence Review - April 2015 ANALYSIS Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Systems Past, Present and Future Dr. Ahmet KULE, Pilot, Chief Superintendent 2nd Degree r. Ahmet Kule is a Helicopter Pilot in the Turkish National Po- lice who has worked and studied abroad for many years. In The book “İnsansız Hava Aracı Sistemleri – D2007, Dr. Kule completed his doctorate studies on “Security Dünü Bugünü Yarını” (Unmanned Aerial Sciences” at New York University in the United States, and has since Vehicle Systems – Past, Present and then given courses at New York University, the NATO School in Ger- many, the Navy Post Graduate School in the United States and the Future), published in March 2015, is a NATO Centre of Excellence Defence against Terrorism in Ankara. He work that will attract the attention of all is currently assigned to the Diyarbakır Police Department. In parallel with previous works published on similar subjects, the first those with an interest in unmanned aerial five chapters (approximately the first 140 pages) of “Unmanned Aerial vehicles, whether they be professionals Vehicle Systems – Past, Present and Future”, published by Beta Pub- lications, provides detailed and meticulously compiled information on or interested amateurs in the subject. the history of UAVs, their technical capabilities and their payloads. As The book serves as a comprehensive this type of information has already been provided many times before in other works, reports and periodicals, what truly distinguishes this reference point with easily understandable book is the 100 pages starting at Chapter 6, where we find the five dif- information on subjects pertaining to ferent “UAV Road Maps” belonging to three different countries, and although these road maps consist originally of thousands of pages, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) – which they have been neatly summarized into 15 pages. Following this, the have nowadays become highly prevalent in book shares a comprehensive and information-based assessment of all walks of life – such as what they are, the integration of UAVs into civilian airspace, which is a subject that has to date attracted only limited attention in Turkey and is currently why they were developed, how they will one of the most intensely discussed topics in the global sector. The affect our future, the capabilities they offer book goes on to provide a detailed description of civil aviation legisla- tion and regulations of 15 countries, including Turkey, related to UAVs, and the associated problems they are while the final three chapters describe the technical barriers that need likely to bring. to be overcome to ensure the greater integration of UAVs into daily M. Emre YAZICI / [email protected] life and possible uses for UAVs in the future. This section of the book also presents an overall assessment of the regulations and technical Undersecretariat for Defence Industries (SSM), which are in position situation, but is not limited only to Turkey. Even the short citations and to guide companies and other institutions, should retain a firm grasp quotes at the beginning of each chapter are worth reading attentively. of the subject. If these coordinating institutions can manage to train The book’s most noteworthy assessment concerning Turkey is the lack their human resources to great effect and to follow closely the current of knowledge among the user and purchaser authorities, as well as the developments around the world, they will be better able to create the shortage of motivation in the sector to produce competitive products. Ac- necessary situational awareness in our country in the field of UAVs. cording to Dr. Kule, to be able keep pace with global developments, the The second important point to be noted is that leading UAV users such procurement and project management authorities in Turkey must rem- as the Turkish Air Force (TurAF) must review their current doctrines, edy their lack of knowledge related to the field of UAVs; the user author- procedures, policies and legal framework. To ensure the more effec- 78 ities must reorganize their regulations and doctrines in accordance with tive use of UAVs, such institutions must reinforce and adapt their ex- present-day realities concerning UAVs; and companies must realize the isting infrastructure in all relevant areas. importance of UAVs, as well as the high level knowledge and discipline The third important point is that private companies looking to conduct required by the aviation sector. In a letter to MSI Turkish Defence Review, activities in the area of unmanned aerial technologies must acquire a Dr. Kule shared the following important thought and assessments re- comprehensive understanding of the larger picture, and also of the role garding UAVs: “Unmanned aerial vehicle technologies represent an im- they wish to play within this picture. The unmanned aerial system mar- portant element that will affect our future significantly, and a reactive ket is a large and growing market, and there is a significant need for response to this will result in an unnecessary loss of time, labour and private companies willing to make long-term investments in this area. money. In contrast, a proactive approach will prevent such losses, and That said, these companies must also be aware and prepared for what allow us to benefit to a greater extent from the capabilities offered by such investments would entail.” these new technologies. In following such a proactive approach, there This meticulously prepared book, with the important messages it con- are a number of important points that need to be taken into consideration veys, can serve as the first point of reference for all those interested in by the institutions and companies that produce, plan/design or use un- the subject, including those who may not be actively involved within the manned aerial vehicle systems. sector. The book can be purchased online from idefix.com and from The first of these points is that coordinating institutions such as the dr.com.tr, and in such bookstores as D&R and Dost Kitabevi.

MSI Turkish Defence Review - April 2015 www.milscint.com

EVENTS

Sheraton Ankara is the Main Sponsor of Events of MSI Turkish Defence Review. Lieutenant General Ing. Milan Maxim, Chief of the Defence Staff of the Armed Forces of the Slovak Republic: “We will Find the Common Ground in Extending Our Mutual Cooperation The defence relations between the Slovak Republic and Turkey gained momentum after the Slovak Republic became a member of NATO. These relations, started between armed forces, have the potential to include defence industries. During his visit to Turkey, we had a chance to meet with Lieutenant General Ing. Milan Maxim, Chief of the Defence Staff of the Armed Forces of the Slovak Republic, and talk about the defence relations between the 2 countries. Prepared by: Birol TEKİNCE shifted under the NATO Alliance and, as a spect, I welcome the hosting of courses [email protected] result of the economic crisis in Slovakia, for members of both armed forces on there was a considerable decrease in the the principle of mutual reciprocity. En- Birol TEKİNCE: Under the NATO number of proposals between the Slovak hancing the specialized skills and com- umbrella, Turkey and the Slovak and Turkish ministries of defence for bi- petences of course graduates will Republic have many cooperation lateral activities. The basic framework for contribute to an adequate readiness to areas such as Active Fence, training developing mutual cooperation between carry out tasks under the international in Partnership for Peace Training the Slovak Ministry of Defence (MoD) and crisis management operations, as well Centres and Centres of Excellence. the Turkish Ministry of National Defence as increasing the level of interoperability How do you see the relations between was set in the agreement between the between both countries. Today, the Slo- the armed forces of the Slovak Republic Government of the Slovak Republic and vak Armed Forces assign their person- and Turkey as two NATO members? the Government of the Republic of Turkey nel to attend the specialized courses Lt. Gen. Milan MAXIM: To begin with, let on cooperation in the military areas of depending on the feasibilities of the de- me thank General Necdet Özel, the Chief training, equipment and science. This fence budget. of the General Staff of the Turkish Armed agreement was signed in 1997 in Ankara, Today, there are no long-term bilateral Forces, for the invitation to visit your coun- hence creating a legal frame of reference cooperation plans concluded between the try and the cordial reception. At the same for the future agreements on cooperation Slovak and Turkish Armed Forces, and time, I would like to express my thanks for between the Slovak MOD and the Turkish mutual cooperation functions on an ad the assistance and support provided by Ministry of National Defence in the field of hoc basis. Turkey during the Slovak Republic’s ac- military training, education and the de- Nevertheless, despite the facts stated cession process to NATO. fence industry. above, there is still the potential for inten- The Slovak Republic considers Turkey an In the past, the Slovak Armed Forces sifying the mutual cooperation of both important geopolitical actor that greatly would actively accept offers for participa- countries. NATO’s initiatives such as 80 contributes, through its foreign policy in- tion of the Slovak Armed Forces person- Smart Defence, the Connected Forces Ini- fluence, to the stability of the region on the nel in the courses organized by the tiative and the Framework Nation Concept borders of Europe and the Near East, Partnership for Peace (PfP) Training Cen- may serve as a sound basis for bilateral which we highly appreciate. We evaluate tre in Ankara and the Centre of Excellence cooperation in the areas mentioned the hitherto security and defence cooper- Defence against Terrorism (COE/DAT). above. The Slovak Republic welcomes any ation between the Slovak Republic However, due to the geographical dis- cooperation initiative, bilateral or multina- and Turkey, as two NATO states, highly tance and the higher funding require- tional, aimed at increasing the level of positively. ments therewith connected, this was not armed forces capabilities and interoper- The bilateral cooperation with Turkey as frequent as we would wish it to be, yet ability. By developing our cooperation,

MSI Defence Review was launched in 1993. The content and ex- we do highly appreciate the offers as well both countries will actively contribute to

© tent of this cooperation had until 2004 as the high credibility and standards of the NATO’s capabilities building to meet the corresponded to the mutual needs, re- courses. demands of the collective defence of the quirements, bilateral interests and possi- The Slovak Armed Forces have noticed NATO Member States and to execute the bilities. When the Slovak Republic joined Turkey’s active approach in the field of tasks of international crisis management

All photographs: NATO in 2004, the core of activities was specialized military courses. In this re- operations.

MSI Turkish Defence Review - April 2015 www.milscint.com agents at the CBRN Training and Testing Centre Zemianske Kostol’any, which is, in its specialization, quite unique in the en- tire Central European region. In this con- nection, the Turkish party received presentations on the capabilities of the Training Centre Lest and the CBRN Train- ing and Testing Centre Zemianske Kos- tol’any. Last but not least, I would like to draw your attention to the NATO Centre of Excellence for Explosive Ordnance Dis- posal (NATO CoE EOD) in Trencin. Under the umbrella of the NATO CoE EOD we have a lot of courses on offer, which play a great role in enhancing the qualifica- tions of EOD specialists. In the area of education, we also offer the possibility to participate in the Interna- LTG Milan Maxim, Chief of the Defence Staff of the Armed Forces of the Slovak Republic and his delegation tional Staff Officers Course (ISOC), hosted pays a visit to Anıtkabir. by the Slovak Armed Forces Academy in Liptovsky Mikulas. In 2015, the Slovak try companies in both countries. We in- Armed Forces are planning to send one tend to build on the successful coopera- Slovak Air Force member to attend Exer- tion in the past and extend it by cise ANATOLIAN EAGLE, who will partic- incorporating new areas beneficial to both ipate in the exercise as an observer, too. parties. The cooperation between the Slovak and Birol TEKİNCE: There is the Governmental Turkish Armed Forces has mainly fo- Agreement between Turkey and the cused, for example, on the regular partic- Slovak Republic on Defence Industry ipation of the Turkish Air Force in the Cooperation since 1997. After joining Slovak Air Fest (SIAD/SIAF), where F-4 NATO, there were significant changes aircraft were on static display in 2014. in the Slovak Armed Forces in terms of Moreover, two members of the Turkish their modernization and/or modifications Air Force participated as observers in joint in many fields. What would like to say exercises, dubbed MACE XIII about the Turkish Defence Industry? in 2012 and MACE XVI in 2014. What is the current status of the Slovak Further cooperation between Armed Forces’ modernization activities the Slovak and Turkish Armed and is there any possibility for the Forces was being developed Turkish Defence Industry to contribute as part of OPERATION ACTIVE to this process? FENCE, which was geared to- Lt. Gen. Milan MAXIM: The priorities of the wards boosting Turkey’s de- Slovak Armed Forces modernization have LTG Milan Maxim, Chief of the Defence fences within the NATINAMDS. been set out in specific strategic docu- Staff of the Armed Forces of the Slovak Members of the Slovak Armed ments, such as the White Book on De- Republic while signing the Anıtkabir’s Forces, embedded with the fence or the Slovak Armed Forces Book of Honor. Dutch Patriot Air Defence Bat- Capabilities Development Concepts. 81 Birol TEKİNCE: How do you evaluate the tery in the Turkish town of Adana, pro- These create the basic framework for a present cooperation between the armed vided voice and data services under the systematic modernization of the Slovak forces of our countries? Do you have any Communications and Information System Armed Forces. suggestions to improve the bilateral and (CIS). In an effort to fulfil the modernization pri- effective military relations between the In the field of training and education, the orities, despite the defence spending con- Slovak and Turkish Armed Forces? Do Slovak Republic offers an option for the straints, we have been seeking to you have any suggestions for a specific Turkish Armed Forces to use its military cooperate with our foreign partners, ei- area of possible cooperation? training facilities, which are unique in their ther through equipment barter deals, joint Lt. Gen. Milan MAXIM: NATO membership specialization, such as the Training Centre procurements, pooling and sharing or ex- of both countries forms the basis for a fur- Lest, which specialized in training of the changes of experience and lessons ther deepening of mutual cooperation, for Special Operations Forces (SOFs). In ad- learned. Towards this end, we also wel- example, in the field of training, education, dition, on the territory of the Slovak Re- come Turkey’s cooperation. armed forces modernization, or support public it is possible to conduct specialized The Slovak Air Force Development Con- for cooperation among the defence indus- training with real toxic and chemical cept envisages the replacement of www.milscint.com MSI Turkish Defence Review - April 2015 SLOVAKIA EVENTS

Lieutenant General Ing. Milan Maxim, Chief of the Defence Staff of the Armed Forces of the Slovak Republic Date of birth 13. April 1956, Michalovce n 2000 - 2001 Advanced Academic General Staff Course, Defence College, Paris n 1987 - 1990 Postgraduate Education study, Military Academy Brno n 1977 - 1980 Land Forces Birol Tekince, Coordinator, MSI TDR with LTG Milan Maxim, College, Vyskov na Chief of the Defence Staff of the Armed Forces of the Slovak Republic. Morave medium-range 3D surveillance radars as Defence Industry Fair (IDEF) in Turkey, n 1975 - 1976 One-Year well as the replacement of supersonic air- where the Slovak defence industry’s com- Officer School craft, which will, most probably, be imple- mercial activities were promoted on the n 6. May 2014 Chief of the mented by leasing the flight hours. Turkish market. Defence Staff, Slovak Moreover, it relies on a gradual replace- For example, at IDEB 2014 we had the op- Armed Forces ment of Mi-17 helicopters for new ones, portunity to see the PARS 8x8 Wheeled n 2009 - 2014 Military which will be fully compatible with NATO’s Armoured Combat Vehicle, which was in- Attaché of the Slovak operational requirements. Also underway troduced by the Turkish company FNSS. Republic, Czech republic is the procurement of two medium-range Also this vehicle type, among others, in- n 2004 - 2009 Commander, Alenia C-27J Spartan tactical transport cited the interest of our military special- Land Forces, Trencin aircraft, which are expected to meet the ists and professional public. n 2002 - 2004 Commander, required NATO standards. At the upcoming IDEB fair, speaking on Training and Support At present, the modernization of the behalf of the Slovak Armed Forces, we will Forces, Trencin n DELOSYS Artillery Fire Control System be pleased to see the representatives of 2001 - 2002 Chief of Logistics Staff, General has been pending, and so is true of small the Turkish defence industry. I am con- Staff, SVK Armed Forces, personal weapons for the units being vinced that their participation can con- Bratislava newly formed. And still ahead of us is the tribute to furthering our defence industry n 1996 - 2000 modernization of the main combat vehi- contacts and cooperation. At the same Deputy Commander, cles and equipment in service of the Slo- time, this would greatly enrich the de- Military Career 2nd Army Corps, Presov vak Land Forces. fence exhibition’s programme. By show- n 1995 - 1996 Commander, Recently, I have visited several defence casing the latest trends, defence fairs 21st Mechanized Brigade, exhibitions, where I had the opportunity to contribute, to a very great extent, towards Michalovce tour the exhibition premises of the Turkish acquisitions and the monitoring of defence n 1990 - 1995 Regiment Armed Forces and I can conclude that it industry developments. and Brigade Commander, captured not only my attention but also To conclude, I would like to express my 63rd Motor Rifle that of the numerous professional audi- conviction that we will find the common Regiment, Michalovce ences. ground in extending our mutual coopera- n 1980 - 1987 Sqn and 82 tion. Personally speaking, I highly appre- Bn Commander, Birol TEKİNCE: The Slovak Republic ciate the contribution of the Turkish Regiment Deputy organizes the International Defence Armed Forces to ensuring and strength- Commander, 21st Tank Exhibition Bratislava (IDEB), which is ening NATO’s collective defence and I view Regiment Zatec held biannually. How do the Slovak them as a highly credible, very well n 1976 - 1977 Tank Armed Forces exploit this exhibition to trained and respected ally and NATO Al- Squadron Commander, make acquisition decisions? Do you have liance member. 21st Tank Regiment, a special message for the Turkish Holysov defence industry companies in On behalf of our readers, we would like Language English, French, connection with this exhibition? to thank Lieutenant General Ing. Milan skills Russian Lt. Gen. Milan MAXIM: In recent years, the Maxim, Chief of the Defence Staff of the Gardening, do-it-yourself cooperation with the Turkish defence in- Armed Forces of the Slovak Republic, Interests workshop activities, dustry has been implemented via the In- for generously taking the time to answer non-fiction literature ternational Defence Exhibition Bratislava our questions and providing us with such Lieutenant General Ing. Milan Maxim is married (IDEB) in Slovakia and the International valuable information. and has three children.

MSI Turkish Defence Review - April 2015 www.milscint.com

EVENTS

Bulgarian National Day Celebrated in Ankara ulgarian National Day was celebrated Bwith a reception in Ankara on March 3. At the reception, the guests were greeted by H.E. Krasimir Tulechki, Bulgarian Ambas- sador to Turkey; Colonel Aleksandar Lupov, Bulgarian Defence Attaché to Turkey; and Evgeni Genev, Bulgarian Minister-Counsel- lor, as well as their respective spouses. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ayşenur İslam, the Minister of Family and Social Policies, attended the event representing the Turkish government, while other guests included representatives Right to left; H.E. Krasimir Tulechki, the Ambassador of Bulgaria and his spouse, Evgeni Genev, Minister Planipotentionary and his spouse, Colonel Aleksandar Lupov, Land, Navy and Air Attaché of Bulgaria and his spouse. of the Turkish Armed Forces (TAF), repre- sentatives of military and civilian foreign missions, and other high-ranking individu- als. Following the playing of the national an- thems, Ambassador Tulechki addressed the guests with Minister Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ayşenur İslam. The Ambassador thanked the local and foreign guests for attending the Bulgarian National Day reception, after which, Minister Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ayşenur İslam said that she was delighted to join in Left to right; Navy CAPT Razie Mehmeti, Military Attaché of Albania, COL Zakaria Borhan, Defence Attaché of Malaysia, the celebration of the Bulgarian National COL Nauman Siddique, Land Attaché of Pakistan, COL Jahangir Shariat, Military Attaché of the Islamic Republic of Iran, COL Anil K. Pundir, Defence Attaché of India, COL Aleksandar Lupov, Land, Navy and Air Attaché of Bulgaria, LTC Spyridon Day, representing the government of Turkey, Karoumpalis, Air Force Attaché of Greece, COL Grigorios Bountliakis, Military Attaché of Greece, COL Hossein Bekhoon, and emphasized the gradually developing Land Attaché of the Islamic Republic of Iran, BG Sadad Gunawardena, Defence Attaché of Democratic Socialist Republic of friendship between Turkey and Bulgaria. Sri Lanka, Birol Tekince, Coordinator, Editorial Board, MSI TDR, BG Mustafa Ahmed Saqeb, Defence Attaché of Bangladesh. Celebrating Bangladesh’s National and Independence Day he 44th anniversary of Bangladesh’s Na- Ttional and Independence Day was cele- brated with the reception held on March 26 in Ankara. At the reception, invitees were greeted by H.E. Zulfiqur Rahman, Bangladesh Ambassador to Turkey; by Brigadier General Mustafa Ahmed Saqeb, Bangladesh’s Defence Attaché; by Manjurul Karim Khan Chowdhury, Bangladesh’s Con- sul General in Turkey; and by their spouses. On behalf of the Turkish government, Faruk Çelik, the Minister of Labour and Social Se- curity, attended the reception. In addition, Right to Left; H.E. Zulfiqur Rahman, the Ambassador of Bangladesh and his spouse, BG Mustafa Ahmed Saqeb, Defence Attaché of Bangladesh and his spouse, Manjurul Karim Khan Chowdhury, Consul General of Bangladesh and his spouse. 84 the reception guests included representa- tives of the Turkish Armed Forces, repre- thank all of you for the sincerity and cooper- sentatives of the foreign diplomatic missions ation you have shown during the highly and other numerous high-ranking individu- pleasant time I have spent in Turkey.” als.The reception opened with the playing of Minister Faruk Çelik began his opening re- both the Turkish and Bangladeshi national marks by stating, “The people of Bangladesh anthems. In his opening speech, Ambassa- were at our side during our War of Inde- dor Rahman described Turkey as an excel- pendence – one of the most difficult times of lent partner in aiding with Bangladesh’s our history. I especially would like to empha- development efforts. Ambassador Rahman size that such a show of solidarity and sup- H.E. Zulfiqur Rahman, also expressed that his assignment in port will never be forgotten by neither the Ambassador Turkey will soon end and that he has been nations nor their peoples. I hope that our of Bangladesh assigned to his new post in the Republic of friendship remains eternal, and wish the South Korea. Ambassador Rahman rounded Ambassador success in his new assign- cut the ceremonial cake symbolizing the re- off his speech by saying, “I would like to ment.” Following the speeches, the invitees lationship between Turkey and Bangladesh.

MSI Turkish Defence Review - April 2015 www.milscint.com

EVENTS

CHILE Right to left; COL Jose Nogueira, Defence, Military, Naval and Air Attache of Chile José Ignacio and his spouse, Sebastian Marin NOGUEIRA Labbe, Charge D’affaires and Rank Colonel General Consul Current Mission Defence, Military, of Chile in Naval and Air Attaché Turkey and his spouse Start/End Dates July 2014 of the Mission July 2016 Birthday 04 April 1967 The Anniversary of the Chilean Hometown Concepción, Chile n High School, 1980 – 1983, Air Forces was Celebrated for the St. John School, Santiago. First Time in Turkey n 1984 – 1987, Air Force Academy, Santiago. he 85th anniversary of the foundation of Nogueira also thanked the local and for- n 2001 Squadron Officer Tthe Chilean Air Forces was celebrated eign guests who attended the reception School, Maxwell AFB with a reception held on March 20, in celebrating with him the anniversary of the Education n 2005 ACSC, Chilean AWC, Ankara. At the reception, invitees were Chilean Air Forces for the first time in the Santiago greeted by Colonel Jose Nogueira, Chilean friendly nation of Turkey. n 2006 ACSC, Argentinean Defence Attaché to Turkey; Sebastian Following the ceremony, Sebastian Marin AWC, Buenos Aires n 2007 - 2008 Master Marin Labbe, Charge D’affaires and Gen- Labbe, Charge D’affaires and General Con- Degree in Human eral Consul of Chile in Turkey; and their re- sul of Chile in Turkey, presented the Mili- Resources, UGM, Santiago spective spouses. The reception was tary Star of the Armed Forces to Colonel n 2010 – 2011, 3th attended by numerous guests, including Nogueira, gave a speech on behalf of the Squadron Commander representatives of the Turkish Armed Chilean Ambassador, who was unable to (F-16 B50), Iquique, Chile Forces as well as representatives of mili- attend the ceremony due to duties abroad. n 2012-2014, CEO FIDAE tary and civilian foreign missions. Labbe emphasized that the Chilean Air (International Air and The reception opened with the playing of Forces – which is the youngest of the Space Fair), Santiago the Chilean and Turkish national anthems, Chilean Armed Forces – is a highly profes- Languages Spanish, English which was followed by a speech from sional Force with immense skill and expe- Social Status Married, 3 children Colonel Nogueira, in which he mentioned rience in the areas of technology as well as CONTACT INFORMATION that the Chilean Air Force had been humanitarian aid, and hailed its contribu- Tel +90 (312) 448 20 12 founded on March 21, 1930. Colonel tions to many United Nations operations. E-mail (mission) [email protected]

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Left to right; CDR Anssi Henrik Hatakka, Deputy Defence Attaché of Finland, COL James Burns, Defence Attaché of Australia, Navy CAPT Yoshinaga KAMO, Defence Attaché of Japan, Navy CAPT Alan Kardec Mota, Defence Attaché of Brazil, LTC Martin Sovic, Deputy Defence Attaché of Slovak Republic, COL Jose Nogueira, Defence, Military, Naval and Air Attaché of Chile, COL İlyas İbrahimov, Military Attaché of Azerbaijan, Navy CAPT Mike Maher, Defence Attaché of United Kingdom, CDR John Eric Ager, Naval Attaché of the United States of America, COL Zoran Djambaski, Defence Attaché of Republic of Macedonia, Navy CAPT Shawn Wright, Defence Attaché of South Africa, COL Goran Miloseviç, Military Attaché of Serbia, Birol Tekince, Coordinator of Editorial Board, MSI TDR.

MSI Turkish Defence Review - April 2015 www.milscint.com Pakistan’s National Day Celebrated; Mutual Trade of “$1 Billion” Indicated

akistan’s National Day was celebrated Right to left; H.E. Sohail Mahmood, the Ambassador of Pakistan and his spouse, BG Abbas Ghumman, Pwith a reception held on March 23 in Defence and Air Attaché of Pakistan Ankara, with guests greeted by H.E. Sohail Sohail Mahmood stated that celebrating cooperation, and increase their current cul- Mahmood, the Pakistani Ambassador to Pakistan’s National Day in Turkey was no tural cooperation and exchanges. Turkey, who has only recently been ap- different to celebrating it in Pakistan, and In his speech, Minister Güllüce emphasized pointed to the position; and Brigadier Gen- that they considered Turkey to be their sec- the enduring friendship between the people eral Abbas Ghumman, Pakistani Defence ond homeland. The Ambassador mentioned of Turkey and Pakistan, and said that they Attaché to Turkey, as well as their respec- the recent visit of Prof. Dr. Ahmet Davu- were pleased with Pakistan’s desire to par- tive spouses. Representing the Turkish gov- toğlu, Turkish Prime Minister, to Pakistan, ticipate at the highest level to the commem- ernment at the reception was Idris Güllüce, which had provided further momentum to oration of the Centenary of the Battle of the Minister of Environment and Urbaniza- the already rich bilateral relations between Çanakkale ceremonies. He concluded his tion; and General Yaşar Güler, Deputy Chief the two countries, and during Prime Minis- speech by stating their mutual goal to fur- of the Turkish General Staff, while other ter Davutoğlu’s visit, a decision was taken to ther enhance economic relations between guests included representatives of the initiate talks for a “Free Trade Agreement” the two countries, and to reach a joint trade Turkish Armed Forces, military and civilian (FTA). The Ambassador concluded his volume of $1 billion this year. Following the foreign missions, and many other high- speech by noting that both countries had re- speeches, the invitees cut a ceremonial ranking individuals. cently taken important steps to promote in- cake symbolizing the friendship between During his opening speech, Ambassador vestments, reinforce their defence Turkey and Pakistan. Right to left; İdris Güllüce, Minister of Environment and Urban Planning, H.E. Sohail Mahmood, the Ambassador of Pakistan and his spouse, GEN Yaşar Güler, Deputy Chief of Turkish General Staff.

Prof.Dr. İsmail Demir, Undersecretary for Defence Industries (SSM) met Generals and Admirals from Land, Air and Naval Forces of TGS in the National Day of Pakistan.

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Right to left; Birol Tekince, Coordinator, Editorial Board, MSI TDR, LTC Bekim Osmani, Military and Defence Attaché of Republic of Kosovo, COL Remi Gauvain, Defence Attaché of France, COL Hossein Bekhoon, Army Attaché of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Navy CAPT Zaka ur Rehman, Naval Attaché of Pakistan, LTC Hautham Mokhtar, Deputy Defence Attaché of Egypt, COL Jahangir Shariat, Military Attaché of the Islamic Republic of Iran, LTC Michel Rossier, Defence Attaché of Switzerland, LTC Martin Sovic, Deputy Defence Attaché of Slovak Republic. www.milscint.com MSI Turkish Defence Review - April 2015