Turkey seeks cooperation with West on defense technology

By Fatih Erkan Dogan & Bahattin Gonultas

ANKARA

Turkey is seeking to create new partnerships for defense and aviation projects with other countries rather than just being a market for defense manufacturers, Turkish Defence Ministry Undersecretary Ismail Demir has said.

Ankara spent more than $1 billion on defense, research and development in 2014, while Turkey seeks to rely more on domestic sources than imported products.

Speaking during a reception at the Italian Consulate on Monday night to mark Turkey-Italy Industry Day, Demir said he had negotiated with Italian Defence Ministry Undersecretary Gioacchino Alfano over possible cooperation opportunities between the two countries.

Demir said: "Our main message is, 'Please don't come to us in the hope of selling a product but, if you offer cooperation on something, we can do it. We can talk over how to support each other's projects'."

"This was the main theme of our negotiations. We exchanged ideas with one another and tried to know each other's capabilities."

 'Opportunities available'

Demir recalled the two countries had worked together successfully on projects such as the T129 ATAK attack helicopter.

He said: "We are two parties accustomed to working together."

"We spoke what we can do with new projects involving helicopters, aircraft and ships."

"We will bring our companies together and let them see what kind of opportunities are available," Demir noted.

Italian Defence Ministry Undersecretary, Gioacchino Alfano, underscored the strength of ties between two countries and said that Italy differs with its expertise on defence and aviation sectors compared to other countries trying to establish partnerships with Turkey.

"We would like to bring our technology, create partnership and invest here rather than just selling some products," Alfano said.

 'Eliminate dependency'

Regarding the Turkey's long-range missile procurement tender which has caused friction between NATO and Turkey, as Turkey decided to prefer China Precision Machinery Import and Export Corp's products due to an extensive technology transfer pledge, Alfano said there was an ongoing study for a new proposal from Franco-Italian missile maker MBDA which included technology transfer.

The two countries had already cooperated on projects such as the ATAK series of helicopters – the first locally made Turkish attack helicopter – and the TURKSAT satellite.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on March 16 of the year that Turkey would eliminate dependency on external suppliers for its defense industry.

He said: "We plan to eliminate external dependency on defense equipment supply with ongoing projects and investments until 2023."

"We will not allow the use of any ready defense equipment without our being involved from design to production."

 Exports up

Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said in December last year that Turkey and Italy possess good opportunities to cooperate in the defense industry.

"There is a large area for cooperation in the defense industry ahead of us," Davutoglu added.

In December 2014, the U.S. Department of Defense chose Turkey and Italy to provide heavy maintenance, repairs and overhaul services to Lockheed Martin Corp's F-35 fighter jet in Europe from 2018.

Italy will conduct heavy maintenance on F-35 airframes, while F135 engine heavy maintenance will be provided by Turkey.

According to data from the Defense Industry Exporters' Union (SSI), Turkey's exports in the defense and aviation industries combined reached $1.6 billion in 2014, up from $1.4 billion in 2013.

 Deal under negotiation

Turkish defense producers aim to boost exports to $25 billion by 2023, when the country will celebrate the 100th anniversary of the founding of the modern republic.

Top export items were aircraft, helicopter parts, engines, armored-land vehicles, speed boats, missiles, rockets, launching platforms, light weapons and electronic systems, including transmitters, simulators, sensors and software.

Turkey’s defense spending was 29.4 billion Turkish liras, or $13.2 billion, this year, according to Turkish Defense Ministry.

Turkey is currently negotiating a $3.5 billion deal for a long-range air and anti-missile defense system, including local production, with suppliers from China, Italy and France.