The reflection of the latest developments in foreign policy on the Turkish defense industry was scrutinized by experts in the STM ThinkTech Focus Meeting. At the meeting, it was pointed out that Turkish foreign policy, which aims to be active in the field and at the table, paves the way for defense industry exports.
STM ThinkTech, Turkey's first technology-focused think tank, has added a new focus meeting to guide the Turkish defense industry. At a time when embargoes against the Turkish Defense Industry increased, STM ThinkTech held two important focus meetings and published a book titled “The Rise of the Turkish Defense Industry and Embargoes” and now discussed the foreign policy and defense industry, which has been heated by the developments in Ukraine. STM ThinkTech held the 21st of its focus meetings with the title of “Competition with Global Players in the Adaptation and Transformation of the Turkish Defense Industry” in a closed session on March 2, 2022.
In the meeting moderated by STM ThinkTech Coordinator, Retired Lieutenant General Alpaslan Erdoğan, senior experts in their fields shared their views. The focus is on the meeting; Mustafa Murat Şeker, Deputy Chairman of the Presidency of Defense Industries of the Republic of Turkey, Özgür Güleryüz, General Manager of STM, Director of National Defense University Alparslan Defense Sciences Institute Prof. Dr. Teacher Colonel Hüsnü Özlü, ASELSAN A.Ş. Behçet Karataş, Deputy General Manager of Defense Systems Technologies, FNSS Savunma Sistemleri A.Ş. General Manager Kadir Nail Kurt, Hasan Kalyoncu University (HKU) Dean of Faculty of Economics, Administrative and Social Sciences Prof. Dr. Mazlum Çelik, Retired Lieutenant General Nazım Altıntaş, Retired Ambassador Ömer Önhon, Abdullah Gül University Department of Political Science and International Relations Lecturer Dr. Çağlar Kurç and Gökser R&D Deputy General Manager of Defense Aviation/SEDEC Coordinator Hilal Ünal attended.
Foreign Policy and Defense Industry Are Intertwined
In the meeting, it was stated that the defense industry is an important factor that directly affects the fields of international relations and foreign policy; It was pointed out that there is an intertwined network of relations between foreign policy, international relations, the armed forces and the defense industry. At the meeting, it was emphasized that countries focus on establishing and developing their national defense industries, as well as taking part in international organizations and alliances in the realization of foreign policy goals. Evaluating the adaptation process between the past and the future in the context of the transformation of the Turkish defense industry, the experts made important determinations.
“Domestic production accelerated in the 2000s”
SSB Vice President Mustafa Murat Şeker, Noting that the establishment of the SSB played a major role in the transformation of the defense industry, he said, “The 2000s were the times when domestic production accelerated. We now understand the importance of Technology Readiness Level (THS) 9 (combat-proven), feeding our manufacturers with data from the field and AGILE approaches. Our biggest focus is to go down to the technological depth and manage the technology”.
“Defence Industry Diplomacy is used as a lever”
Özgür Güleryüz, General Manager of STM, He stated that the focus meetings organized by STM ThinkTech brought together experts in their fields and guiding analyzes were made for the Turkish defense industry. Noting that the SSB supports these focus meetings, Güleryüz said, "While foreign policy is going through such a dynamic agenda, we find it valuable and meaningful to discuss its effects on the Turkish Defense Industry."
The moderator of the meeting STM ThinkTech Coordinator (E) Korg. Alpaslan Erdogan, "Strong countries use the 'Defence Industry Diplomacy', which has been mentioned frequently recently, as a lever in the context of international relations," he said.
“The will must continue in the defense industry in the next 10 years”
ASELSAN A.S. Behçet Karataş, Deputy General Manager of Defense System Technologies“Domestic contribution practices in the transformation and adaptation of the Turkish defense industry contributed to the establishment of many companies in Anatolia, the development of working culture with SMEs, and the infrastructure achievements of universities. In the next 10 years, the will in the defense industry should continue, and our focus should be on locality, nationality and technological depth.
MSU Alparslan Defense Sciences Institute Director Prof. Dr. If Hüsnü Özlü is Stating that there were two important breaks in the transformation of the defense industry in the global sense, he said, “The first is the development of the 'military revolution' concept by western historians in the 17th century. The second is the industrial revolution,” he said.
“Developments in relations pave the way for exports”
HKU FEAS Dean Prof. Dr. Mazlum Steel “Specialization in the defense sector provides an international competitive advantage. Positive developments in international relations pave the way for defense industry exports.
(E) Corg. Nazim Altintas Mentioning the importance of institutionalization in the defense industry, he said, “Adaptation and flexibility in the Organization, Legislation and Education issues should be addressed first. Feedback from the field should be analyzed very well and analysis results should be converted into doctrine. "Our Armed Forces need to adopt an entrepreneurial spirit and opportunities and different solutions should be evaluated in this context," he said.
“A new world order is being established”
(E) Ambassador Ömer Önhon, Stating that it is necessary to be careful about relations with strategic allies and to approach allies with a certain distance, he said, “Turkey's strength is not desirable, but necessary. A new world order is being established, Turkey must take the place it deserves. While providing this, correct positioning in international relations, institutionalization in the defense industry and legal infrastructure should be completed, and trained human resources should be included in international organizations to be in a position to shape the regulations and mechanisms of the new world order.
FNSS Defense Systems Inc. General Manager Kadir Nail Kurt, Why is Property for sale in Turkey active? joint Venture Underlining that the (joint venture) structure works well, he said, “This business model has provided serious advantages in terms of economies of scale and localization. The critical issues for the transformation of our defense industry are: Tailor-made solutions, reliable product sales, after-sales logistics support and an export environment where all these can be done, and where there is good, even excellent foreign relations.”
“We must implement the consortium business model”
Hilal Ünal, Deputy General Manager of Gökser R&D Defense Aviation/SEDEC Coordinator “The integration of our main contractors and SMEs into overseas supply chains is critical for sustainability. We should implement “Joint Venture” or “consortium” type business models under the supervision of the SSB, which will foster a nationwide collaborative culture”.
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