Expressing that as the
Presidency, they strive to increase exports to maintain sustainable growth in
the sector, Demir emphasised that they evaluate exports on the axis of
international cooperation and do not see it as a pure trade issue.
Pointing out that more Turkish companies compete with each other on the same project abroad, Demir said, “Maybe this is one of the problems we need to solve. In that respect, together with SSI, we should create a defence industry export policy and implement it; we should take the necessary measures to win-win the industry’s wholesale. We have to create a structure that will work with the principle of working together and reveal the strategy in the long term.”
Expressing that
Turkey’s domestic consumption will not be enough to feed the ecosystem in terms
of Defence industry products, Demir stated that the most important pillar of
sustainability is exporting. Demir continued, “Our unmanned aerial vehicles,
land and sea vehicles, which continue to be exported to numerous countries,
continue to expand our export market daily. There are constant demands on our
country in matters such as ammunition and explosives. In March 2022, our last
1-year export was 3 billion 530 million dollars. When we look at the
composition of exports, there is a 50 per cent increase in the aviation
category, and we see that this is due to unmanned systems. The decline in civil
aviation did not turn into an escalation. When this climb happens, the aviation
industry’s contribution will increase even more. We cannot pass without talking
about the success of our unmanned aerial vehicles, such as Bayraktar TB2 and
Anka, which have become world brands, but another issue we should emphasise is
the systems and ammunition used on these platforms, which is our source of
pride.”
Expressing that there
is a tremendous interest in Turkish products in Africa, Demir said:
“In these countries,
especially with the implementation of indirect methods that do not contain
direct or cash, such as financial resources and barter methods, the way for our
exports will be further opened. Wherever the state needs to be at the table in
export activities, if the presence of the state will have a positive effect on
the other party, we will always be at the table as the Presidency. We will
continue. In the necessary environment, if there is a need for sales from the
state to the state, we will sign it, make cooperation agreements with the
Defence industry, and if it is necessary to provide facilities regarding credit
mechanisms, we will do so our best here. We will walk on this issue together.
We will create a strategy, explore new instruments and implement them together
with SSI. We must continue to work together on
Significant
developments occur in the Middle East, our essential markets, Central Asia, and
Southeast Asia. Interestingly, interest started in Europe. It is confident that
we will capture a significant market there, with the expectation that there
will be substantial increases in Defence expenditures in various European
countries with the latest developments.”
“We aim to reach a well over 4 billion dollars by working together. We will see this leap gradually. We have set a target of well over 4 billion dollars together, but we will say five. Why not quickly roll up our sleeves and continue our marketing activities worldwide. It is necessary to put forward a breath-taking work, grounded, where all the players do their best and to the best of their ability, and the mobilisation begins together.”
TUSAŞ’s Presidency
will continue in the new period
Naki Polat, Chairman
of the SSI Board of Directors, also stated that the sector’s exports have
increased by more than 250 per cent in the ten years since the establishment of
the Association. Noting that the industry can reach an export figure of 4-4.5
billion dollars this year, Polat drew attention to the fact that the sector
exports to 176 countries.
The new management of
SSI was also shaped at the general assembly. Turkish Aerospace Industries
(TUSAŞ) will assume the Presidency in the new period. Sarsılmaz, ASELSAN,
ROKETSAN, HAVELSAN, MKE AŞ, FNSS, Alp Aviation, Yonca-Onuk, ZSR Explosive and Huğlu
Shotguns representatives will take place on the Board of Directors.