Ankara is preparing to host the NATO Defence Industry Forum, which will be held on July 7-8 under the NATO framework. In addition to Airbus, Saab AB and Northrop Grumman, ASELSAN, TUSAŞ and ROKETSAN are also expected to showcase their products at the forum.
NATO Defence Industry Forum to Be Held in Ankara: Airbus, Saab and Northrop Grumman Expected to Participate
Preparations are continuing for the NATO Defence Industry Forum, which will be held in Ankara on July 7. The forum, which will be organized for the first time as part of NATO’s official program, is expected to feature products from some of the world’s leading defence companies.
According to a report by Aydın Hasan of Milliyet newspaper, Airbus, Saab AB and Northrop Grumman are planning to open exhibition stands at the forum, while Türkiye’s leading defence companies ASELSAN, TUSAŞ and ROKETSAN will present their products through three-dimensional exhibitions.
Forum to Be Included in the NATO Program for the First Time
According to the information obtained, the Defence Industry Forum will be organized for the first time as part of NATO’s official program.
The program is scheduled to take place on July 7 between 10:00 and 17:00, while it was stated that the final list of invited companies has not yet been officially announced by NATO.
It was also stated that the option of holding a reception at TUSAŞ’s Kahramankazan facilities in the evening following the forum is being considered.
The World’s Leading Defence Companies to Gather in Ankara
The companies expected to participate in the forum operate in various sectors of the global defence industry.
Airbus
Airbus Defence and Space develops military transport aircraft, fighter aircraft programs, helicopters, unmanned aerial vehicles, space systems and cybersecurity solutions.
The company is one of the partners in the Eurofighter Typhoon consortium and is also the manufacturer of the A400M heavy transport aircraft currently in service with the Turkish Air Force.
Saab AB
Sweden-based Saab AB is recognized for its Gripen fighter aircraft, Erieye airborne early warning radar system, electronic warfare solutions, radar technologies, submarines and anti-tank systems.
The company’s A26 (Blekinge-class) submarines are among the new-generation platforms equipped with Air-Independent Propulsion (AIP) systems.
Northrop Grumman
U.S.-based Northrop Grumman is among the world’s largest defence companies through its work on the B-21 Raider strategic bomber, the B-2 Spirit, key manufacturing responsibilities in the F-35 fighter aircraft program, unmanned aerial systems and space technologies.
Turkish Defence Industry to Showcase Its Products
ASELSAN, TUSAŞ and ROKETSAN are planning to present the defence systems they have developed through three-dimensional exhibitions at the forum.
The aim is to introduce the Turkish defence industry’s domestically developed air platforms, missile systems, electronic warfare solutions and other indigenous technologies to international participants.
Saab’s Participation Could Be One of the Symbols of the Normalization Process
According to the report, the participation of the Swedish defence company Saab in the forum in Ankara is regarded as one of the notable indicators of the improving defence industry relations between Türkiye and Sweden.
In 2019, Sweden imposed export restrictions on defence industry products following Türkiye’s Operation Peace Spring in northern Syria. These restrictions were lifted after Türkiye approved Sweden’s NATO membership.
