Speaking in Ankara as part of the NATO Summit, ASELSAN General Manager Ahmet Akyol said that, thanks to the company’s mass production capacity, they can deliver radar and air defense systems to NATO allies in less than two years. Akyol emphasized that the production strength of the Turkish defense industry is opening the door to a new era within NATO.
ASELSAN Highlights Rapid Delivery to NATO
ASELSAN General Manager Ahmet Akyol made assessments regarding the Turkish defense industry’s growing production capacity and technological infrastructure during a defense panel held in Ankara as part of the 36th NATO Heads of State and Government Summit. Speaking at the “Allies in Ankara Program,” organized in cooperation with the Presidency of the Republic of Türkiye Directorate of Communications, the Munich Security Conference, and the SETA Foundation, Akyol announced that air defense and radar systems for NATO allies could be delivered in less than two years.
“We Can Deliver Radar and Air Defense Systems in Less Than Two Years”
Stating that ASELSAN has significantly expanded its production infrastructure in recent years, Ahmet Akyol said that the company has achieved rapid delivery capability for high-tech defense systems.
Akyol said, “If an order is placed today, we can deliver a significant portion of our most advanced radar and air defense systems, including air defense systems, to NATO allies in less than two years.”
Akyol noted that this capability differentiates ASELSAN from many defense industry companies in Europe, emphasizing that delivery times are of critical importance in the international market.
ASELSAN’s Mass Production Capacity Increased by 40 Percent Over the Last Two Years
Sharing data on the company’s production capabilities, Akyol announced that ASELSAN’s mass production capacity has increased by 40 percent over the last two years.
He stated that 28 percent of the orders received last year were delivered within the same year, adding that this performance was made possible through strong production planning and supply chain management.
A $2 Billion Air Defense Production Infrastructure Is Being Built in Ankara
Ahmet Akyol stated that one of the world’s largest air defense production infrastructures is being built in Ankara, announcing that the investment has exceeded $2 billion.
He noted that the investment aims to further increase Türkiye’s production capacity in high-tech defense systems.
“The Turkish Defense Industry Stands Out in the NATO 3.0 Era”
Stating that Türkiye’s role within NATO has gained a new dimension in line with changing security needs, Akyol evaluated the alliance’s development in three stages.
Türkiye’s Role in NATO Summarized Under Three Headings
According to Akyol’s assessment:
- NATO 1.0: Türkiye’s strategic geopolitical position,
- NATO 2.0: Being the alliance’s second-largest military power,
- NATO 3.0: The production capacity and advanced technological capabilities of the Turkish defense industry.
Akyol said that Türkiye has now become one of NATO’s key suppliers not only through its military strength but also through its production capabilities in the defense industry.
More Than 3,000 Companies Contribute to the Defense Ecosystem
Emphasizing that the success of the Turkish defense industry does not belong solely to ASELSAN, Akyol stated that an ecosystem of more than 3,000 domestic companies, led by ROKETSAN, supports the country’s production strength.
Akyol said that feedback received from operational fields is directly reflected in product development processes, enabling faster responses to user needs.
A Call for Competition in Europe
Drawing attention to the importance of competition in defense procurement processes, Akyol stated that an open competitive environment would provide higher-quality solutions and more cost-effective outcomes.
Expressing that Türkiye’s production capacity has reached a strong position on the international stage, Akyol said he believes that the Turkish defense industry will contribute even more to NATO’s common security architecture in the coming period.
