DEFENSE NEWS - 2023 Goals of the Turkish Defense Industry

A few weeks ago, the main objectives of the Turkish defense industry for 2023 were revealed by both the President of the Republic, Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, and the President of the Defense Industry (SSB), Mr. İsmail Demir.

LAND EQUIPMENT

Regarding land equipment, the construction of the first ALTAY main battle tank, whose main contractor was initially OTOKAR but later reassigned to BMC, will be completed following the localization process of certain subsystems currently under export license. Two new tanks, one for the Turkish army and one, according to President Erdoğan, "for the company responsible for building the engine," will be delivered in May for testing purposes. The serial production of these tanks, in partnership form, is expected to begin only in 2025.

Also in 2023, the first deliveries of ZAHA amphibious armored assault vehicles built by FNSS, VURAN multi-role armored vehicles (with a local engine) built by BMC, AMAZON armored vehicles also built by BMC, and 8x8 container transport wheeled vehicles manufactured by KOLUMAN will take place.

The number of next-generation FIRTINA howitzers delivered to the forces is expected to reach 140 in the coming months. The integration of a locally developed engine and transmission system by BMC Power into these howitzers is scheduled to start in 2025.

NAVAL EQUIPMENT

Regarding naval equipment, the frigate TCG ISTANBUL (F-515), the first Turkish I-Class frigate built under the MİLGEM (National Ship) program, will enter service this year. The main contractor for this fifth ship of the program is STM, a company that has seen exponential growth in its revenue in recent years. Also planned for 2023 are the commissioning of the amphibious ship TCG ANADOLU, built by SEDEF shipyards, the delivery of the operations support and replenishment ship DERYA to the Turkish Navy, built by SEFİNE shipyards, and the entry into service of the first new type submarine PİRİ REİS, constructed at the Gölcük Naval Shipyard.

AIRCRAFT

For aircraft, the first flight of the prototype of the Turkish national combat aircraft TF-X is scheduled for the end of the year. This GTU (Geliştirme Test Uçağı, development and test aircraft) will be powered by F110-GE-129E turbofan engines developed by General Electric. A rollout ceremony for the GTU is planned for April, with the exact date of this event to be announced in March, possibly on the 18th.

In 2023, the first deliveries of modernized F-16s under the ÖZGÜR project are also expected. Decided on December 15, 2010, by the Defense Industry Executive Committee (SSİK), this project began with the modernization and certification, using entirely local capabilities and resources, of an unmodernized F-16C Block 30 from the Turkish Air Force under the PEACE ONYX-III and MSM (Modernization Serial Assembly) programs.

Additionally, four prototypes of the HÜRJET advanced jet trainer aircraft will be built. The construction of the prototype, which is scheduled to fly on March 18, is ongoing.

The sixth and final P-72 maritime patrol aircraft (ATR-72/600) will soon be delivered to the Turkish Navy, thus completing the MELTEM-3 program. To recap, three distinct but related MELTEM programs have been carried out: MELTEM-1, decided on January 27, 1998, by the SSİK, which involves the construction of nine Casa CN-235 (six for the navy and three for the coast guard), MELTEM-2, which aims to configure the navy's six Casa CN-235s as maritime patrol aircraft (MPA) and the coast guard's three Casa CN-235s as maritime surveillance aircraft (MSA), and MELTEM-3, which concerns the purchase of ten anti-submarine warfare aircraft of the ATR-72 type (later reduced to six aircraft) and the integration of AMASCOS-300 mission equipment into these aircraft.

Regarding rotary-wing aircraft, the assembly of two T625 GÖKBEY multi-role and light transport helicopters is nearing completion, with one expected to leave the workshops soon. Three T625 GÖKBEY helicopters will be delivered this year to the General Command of the Gendarmerie.

Drones, which play a significant role in the development of the Turkish defense industry, will be a priority this year. After its first flight on December 14, 2022, the jet-powered drone (or unmanned combat aircraft) KIZILELMA, developed by BAYRAKTAR, will soon undergo several flight maneuverability tests and ammunition integration work. In its current variant, the drone is powered by an AI-322F turbofan engine jointly developed by Ukrainian engine manufacturers IVCHENKO PROGRESS and MOTOR SICH. The ultimate goal of the Turkish defense industry is to operate this weapon system from the amphibious ship TCG ANADOLU.

The armed drone BAYRAKTAR TB3 will make its first flight this year. This MALE (Medium Altitude Long Endurance) drone is also designed to take off and land on short distances, particularly on the amphibious ship TCG ANADOLU.

SPACE

In the space domain, the KILIÇSAT cubic nanosatellite, designed to track the positions and routes of ships, will be launched in 2023. Signals emitted by this satellite, developed jointly by the companies GUMUSH, ASELSAN, and METEKSAN, and the Turkish Aeronautical Association (THK) University, will be transmitted to a locally produced low-noise amplifier. The Earth observation satellite İMECE, developed by the space sector (UZAY) of the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TÜBİTAK), will also be launched this year.

MUNITIONS

For munitions, 2023 will see the first deliveries of the BOZDOĞAN (within visual range) and GÖKDOĞAN (beyond visual range) air-to-air missiles developed by TÜBİTAK's Defense Industries Research and Development Institute (SAGE). The SİPER, a long-range regional air defense and anti-missile system, developed in partnership by ASELSAN, ROKETSAN, and TÜBİTAK SAGE from the HİSAR A and O programs, is also expected to enter service according to the President of the Turkish Defense Industry.

Among other munitions-related announcements for this year are the beginning of the integration of the GÖKDENİZ close-in air defense system on surface ships, the first deliveries of KARAOK short-range anti-tank missiles and ŞİMŞEK targets in cruise missile configuration, as well as the start of serial production of AKYA submarine torpedoes developed by ROKETSAN. The KTJ3200 turbofan engines, built by KALE for the national SOM cruise missiles and ATMACA anti-ship missiles, will be delivered to their users.

ELECTRONICS

In the electronics field, the Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar developed by ASELSAN will be integrated for the first time on the AKINCI TİHA (offensive unmanned aerial vehicle) produced by BAYRAKTAR, as well as on the Turkish Air Force's F-16 fighter-bombers. This year will also see the first deliveries of ASELSAN's ERALP early warning radar system, the integration and implementation on F-16s of both ASELSAN's national electronic warfare pod MEHPOD and the electronic support pod EDPOD developed by TÜBİTAK's Advanced Technologies Research Institute (BİLGEM), as well as the first uses of METEKSAN's MERT portable offensive electronic system.

Finally, all installation work for the urban security management and license plate recognition system project is expected to be completed.



As every year, this is a very ambitious project announcement that fits within the Turkish executive's policy of autonomy but repeatedly faces the reality of the defense budget allocation for equipping the forces, explaining the successive delays of a significant number of programs. Beyond the electoral stakes, 2023 will be a particularly interesting year to follow in this regard, as Turkey will not want to abandon its defense industry ambitions. However, the country's economic situation and the inevitable prioritization of reconstructing disaster-stricken areas following the two earthquakes on February 6, 2023, will be two variables that weigh heavily on decision-making.