Important Projects Sıgned At Idef 2021

IDEF 2021, 15th International Defence Industry Fair was held on 17 - 20 August 2021 at TÜYAP Fair and Congress Center in İstanbul, under the auspices of the Presidency of the Republic of Turkey, hosted by the Ministry of National Defense and under the management and responsibility of the Turkish Armed Forces Foundation,  organized by TÜYAP Fairs and Exhibitions Organizations Inc.
Turkey is among the top three to four countries in the world in the production and sale of armed drones, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said, vowing that the Turkish defense industry will focus on the future generation of weapons, including electromagnetic cannons and the projects based on artificial intelligence.
 
“We are among the top three to four countries in the world in the design, production and sale of armed unmanned aerial vehicles that have actually proven their success in the field,” Erdoğan said at the opening ceremony of the 15th International Defense Industry Fair (IDEF) in Istanbul on Aug. 17.
Turkey succeeded to reduce foreign dependency in the defense industry from 80 percent to 20 percent in the past 19 years and has now become an important exporter, Erdoğan said, informing that Turkey’s exports have exceeded three billion dollars.
“In the last 19 years, Turkey has made a revolution in the defense industry like many other fields,” he stated, adding that they were investing in the products of the future through expanding research and development capacity.
One important factor of Turkey’s rise as an important supplier in the field of the defense industry is the open and hidden embargoes imposed by some global powers, including allies, when Turkey was dearly needing weapons and equipment in fighting terror and protecting its borders, Erdoğan said.
“The imposition of a double standard in the fight against terror shows why we should be strong in all the fields,” Erdoğan said. “If you want peace, you have to be ready for way.
 This motto explains our philosophy in regards to the defense industry in the best way,” he added.
 
Turkish Defense Companies’ Latest Arms Take The Stage
 
Turkish contractors focused the spotlight on their latest military and technology products as one of the largest global defense events kicked off.Held in the metropolitan city of Istanbul, the International Defense Industry Fair (IDEF 2021) hosted around 1,200 firms from Turkey and foreign countries, according to a statement by TÜYAP, Turkey's largest fair firm.  The four-day event featured 536 domestic firms and 700 foreign companies. It was also attended by 89 top officials from all over the world – 31 government ministers, 33 army chiefs and 33 land forces generals. Last year, the event was joined by over 1,000 participants and visited by some 76,000 professionals from 71 countries. The 2021 edition of the event was planned for this May but postponed due to the pandemic measures.The fair hosted panels on different topics such as space studies, future technologies and digital transformation.  The defense firms exhibited a wide range of products in various fields, including land vehicles, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), weapons, simulators, radars, sonars, naval platform solutions, aviation systems, missiles, logistic vehicles, supply equipment and security systems.
Aselsan
Turkish defense pioneer Aselsan exhibited more than 250 products at the event. Several products of the state-run firm, including those relating to naval, aerial and air defense systems, border security, communication, electronic warfare, electro-optical systems and weapon systems, were showcased. Some of its products, such as the laser target device ENGEREK-2 and the ASELFLIR-500 electro-optical system, were exhibited for the first time.
TAI
Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) put its aerial vehicle projects on display, including the training aircraft Hürjet, the UAV Anka, the T129 Tactical Reconnaissance and Attack Helicopter (ATAK) and the National Combat Aircraft (MMU), a fifth-generation indigenous stealth fighter jet and one of the country’s long-awaited technology projects.  The firm also showcased its new generation satellite project.
Roketsan
Turkish missile producer Roketsan exhibited its existing portfolio and nine newly designed products. Target kit LAÇIN, SUNGUR weapon systems, the country’s first heavy class torpedo AKYA, laser-targeted mini-missile METE, 324 mm torpedo ORKA, TRLG-122 and TRLG-230 missiles, and low-range air defense system YHSS were displayed for the first time.
Havelsan
Another prominent contractor, Havelsan was showcasing its newly developed “Digital Troop” for the first time. The system enables UAVs and unmanned land vehicles to work together. The company also hosted a session with the title “Future’s Armies: Digital Troops” during the event.
STM
STM exhibits innovative defense products from cybersecurity to tactical mini UAVs. As the main contractor of Turkey’s first domestic frigate ship TCG Istanbul, STM also displayed its indigenous engineering capabilities in the event through its projects for naval platforms, such as the I Class Frigate, Logistics Support Ship, TS1700 Submarine and Offshore Patrol Vessel.
The firm’s UAV systems, such as KARGU, ALPAGU and TOGAN, were also showcased.
FNNS
Another defense firm, FNNS showcased a land vehicle, developed for the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK), named Pars IV 6x6, for the first time. The vehicle has resistance against improvised explosive devices and mines, and the shooting capability for special operations and modular shield structure. The vehicle has a strong engine and two independent remote-control weapon systems named Sancak.
The firm also showcased Kaplan MT – Turkey’s first exported defense product in tank class. The tank launched in 2017 and the firm signed its first export agreement in 2019.
Katmerciler
Military land vehicle manufacturer Katmerciler exhibited two new armored vehicles at the IDEF. The firm’s 4x4 response vehicle for the residential district, named Eren Bülbül, has a short turning radius angle, narrow and short body structure, high-level ballistic protection and strong climbing capacity.The firm’s other vehicle is an updated version of the Hızır 4x4 tactical armored vehicle, Hızır II.
The firm also showcasedother land vehicles, including criminal investigation vehicle Kıraç and remote control shooting platform UKAP.
Kalekalıp
Kalekalıp, a producer of weapon and missile molds, exhibited 13 rifles, of which three weapons are newly produced. The company manufactures NATO-class rifles for domestic and foreign customers.
Nurol
Military land vehicle producer Nurol Makina showcased an updated version of its 4x4 small truck named Yörük.
It is also displaying its existing products, including an armored warfare Ejder Yalçın.
BITES
Military technology firm BITES showcased its military tactical operation kit (ATOK) for the first time. The firm and the SSB signed an agreement in 2019 for ATOK, which aims to generate the “future’s soldier.” ATOK provides wearable and movable products for digitalizing soldiers for use in the field.
Otokar
Civil and military vehicle producer Otokar was participating in the IDEF for the first time. The firm exhibits 11 military vehicles and tower systems at the event. Among the vehicles are the electrical armored vehicle Akrep II and its diesel-engine version Akrep IId. Otokar’s mine-resistance armored vehicle Cobra II MRAP was being exhibited at the fair for the first time.
MKE
Turkey’s Mechanical and Chemical Industry Corporation (MKE)  presented its close air defense system, which aims to equip ships against missiles, bullets, UAVs and helicopters.
The Turkish Naval Forces use Phalanx and Sea Zenith systems in ships currently, but these systems cannot be upgraded.
The firm produced a prototype of its new defense system and the project is expected to be completed in the second half of 2022.
Meteksan
Another Turkish defense firm, Meteksan, exhibited its newly designed radar system, MILSAR. The system aims to increase the efficiency of UAVs by increasing their observation capacity in every weather condition.
MILSAR can work with several Turkish UAVs, including Bayraktar TB2, Akıncı, Anka and Aksüngur.
Asisguard
Technology company Asisguard showcased Turkey’s first armed drone system, Songar, which aims to destroy bombs with a high-power laser. Songar has the capability to be equipped with different types of weapons. The firm’s other drone, Togan, is able to carry and use a grenade launcher.
Zyrone Dynamics
Turkey’s UAV producer Zyrone Dynamics displayed its mini UAV products at the IDEF. The firm’s drone named ZCQM can fly for over 70 minutes with a 500-gram useful load.Another of its drones, ZCOM, can carry a 25-kilogram (55-pound) useful load for 30 minutes and 1.5 kilograms for more than two hours.
 
New Deals Signed At IDEF  
 
Several protocols, including those on smart communication, augmented reality, cruise missiles, missile engines or coastal safety, were signed at the 15th International Defense Industry Fair (IDEF 2021) on Wednesday as the major global fair continues on its second day with cooperation agreements that will strengthen the local defense industry.The four-day event is being organized under the auspices of the Presidency of the Republic of Turkey in coordination with the Turkish National Defense Ministry, the Presidency of Defense Industries (SSB) and the Armed Forces Foundation (TSKGV) and is being held at the TÜYAP Fair and Congress Center in Istanbul’s Beylikdüzü on the European side.One of the agreements, a protocol on land-attack missiles (LAM) was signed between the SSB and Roketsan.SSB head Ismail Demir attended the ceremony along with representatives from the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) and Roketsan.
Emphasizing that they passed a very difficult period with Atmaca high-precision, long-range, surface-to-surface, precision strike anti-ship missile in cruise missiles development, Demir said one of the next steps to be taken is to produce a land-based cruise missile that could be launched from land to land.
“We hope to start as soon as possible. We will continue to strengthen the TSK with domestic products,” he said.
Meanwhile, the engines of the cruise missiles developed within the Turkish defense industry will also be provided by local companies. Within the scope of this agreement, the “Turbojet Engine Supply and Integration Project Contract” was signed between Roketsan and Kale R&D at the IDEF. With the contract, turbojet engines developed by Kale R&D with domestic resources will be used in the missiles produced by Roketsan within the scope of the SOM and Atmaca projects initiated by the SSB.
Speaking at the ceremony, Demir said the engines used in the Atmaca missile when it passed the test were procured from abroad. However, as a result of the recent agreement, Kale Group will now produce the engines for the missiles.
Communication
One of the protocols signed was within the scope of the “Smart Campus Communication Project” inked between ULAK Communication Inc. and the Ankara Aerospace-Specialized Organized Industrial Zone (OIZ). Demir has attended the signing ceremony along with ULAK CEO Celal Sami Tüfekçi and OIZ manager Gültekin Asiltürk.
In his speech at the ceremony, Demir said they are “all aware of the increasing importance of communication today.”
“It is essential that our communication systems and infrastructure are to be developed as an end-to-end communication network with controllable, manageable, flexible, domestic and national technologies in a way that will meet the needs of the day,” he said, noting based on this perspective, they “have started the work on product conversion and development within the body of ULAK Inc., which has been working for many years under the SSB.
Demir said they are determined to create domestic and national structures that are capable, technologically competent and can compete with the world.
“With the protocols we signed today, a concept called 'Smart Campus Communication' is on the agenda. We think that other institutions and organizations with a campus structure can make this application as soon as possible,” he said.
Sahil-Net Project
Another signing ceremony at the IDEF was held between leading software and hardware company Havelsan and the Coast Guard Command within the scope of the “Sahil-Net Project.”
The SSB head, Havelsan general manager Mehmet Akif Nacar and coast guard commander Rear Adm. Ahmet Kendir attended the ceremony.
Demir, on the subject, said the use of domestic products is crucial for national security, especially to provide secure network structures in strategically important places.
With the protocol signed Wednesday, a coastal net institutional network has been established between the coast guard headquarters and the affiliated regional and group commands, according to what Demir shared.
“With this network, both an in-house communication infrastructure will be established and the connection with external institutions will be ensured securely,” he informed.
Demir emphasized that the SSB has attached utmost importance to the use of domestic devices, systems and software within the framework of maximum nationalization and industrialization, which is the basic approach of Turkey.
“In this context, I hope that our Sahil-Net Project will be beneficial for the Coast Guard Command and our country,” he said, thanking all stakeholders.
With the Sahil-Net Project, the Coast Guard Command will introduce the floating platforms to a network-supported capability infrastructure. With the project, the elements affiliated with the Coast Guard Command will be able to connect and with the headquarters on land via IP-based wireless networks and gain the ability to communicate securely over different communication channels.
Augmented reality
A protocol signed regarding augmented reality projects was among those inked on the second day of the fair.In addition to Demir, Havelsan’s Nacar, Havelsan chairperson of the board, Celal Sami Tüfekçi and officials of related stakeholders attended the signing ceremony for the protocol between the SSB and Havelsan."We always say that our defense industry should take the initiative in developing the leading products in every branch of technology and every field,” Demir said.“Augmented reality has become a necessity beyond being a technology that provides an advantage on the field in today's combat environment.
These are products that will contribute significantly to both cost reduction and training and practices in the most realistic way,” he added.In this project, Demir continued by saying, in the first protocol signed with Havelsan, “We aim to increase the corporate awareness and mission effectiveness of the personnel who carry out maintenance and repair activities within the scope of mine and improvised explosive device (IED) detection/destruction and combat support service with augmented reality technology.”
The Land Forces Command Augmented Reality Project contract signing ceremony was also among those held on the second day of the defense event. The contract was inked between SSB and BITES, which offers high-tech solutions for the defense industry.The Land Forces Command Augmented Reality Project aims to develop two prototype systems, an augmented reality system for the armored vehicle commander and personnel and an augmented reality system to be used in residential area combat.
 

DETAY HABER
25.08.2021



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