President of the Turkish Presidency's Defence Industry Directorate (SSB), Prof. Dr. İsmail Demir, emphasized the importance of exports in the sustainability of the defense industry ecosystem. Demir stated, “Exports will stand before us as one of the most important items for sustainability. Unfortunately, there is no such thing as a completely different strategy or an unexpected approach here.”
The President of the Defense Industry Directorate (SSB), Prof. Dr. İsmail Demir, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Roketsan, Prof. Dr. Faruk Yiğit, and the General Manager of Roketsan, Murat İkinci, met with members of the press at a meeting held at the Roketsan facilities. Korhan Gümüştekin, the Editor-in-Chief of OSTİM Newspaper, also attended the meeting, where participants were given information about Roketsan's projects and the progress made.
SSB President Prof. Dr. İsmail Demir stated that the number of projects in the sector has exceeded 700, saying, "We have a broad defense industry ecosystem and a structure that nourishes it." Highlighting the importance of exports in the sustainability of the ecosystem, İsmail Demir said: “Exports will stand before us as one of the most important items for sustainability. Unfortunately, there is no such thing as a completely different strategy or an unexpected approach here. What you need to do is to increase capabilities and technology, prove it in the field, launch it as a usable product, and then target the export market, along with domestic market usage. Expanding the ecosystem, with our companies acting as integrators and working with highly competent, capable, and cost-effective subcontractors, is a significant factor in this regard.”
Global companies are satisfied with Turkish firms.
Citing the example of subcontractors serving global companies in strengthening their sustainability, İsmail Demir said, “In this regard, we see that global companies that cooperate with us within the framework of existing capabilities in Turkey, that provide manufacturing to Turkey, or that use Turkish companies as part of their supply chain, are often very satisfied with their performance. This is a ray of hope for us.”
To increase this, it is important that our players in the ecosystem, through programs similar to EYDEP, have their capabilities in place, that any shortcomings are addressed, and that when they enter the global market, whether as products, partners, or subcontractors, their competencies and abilities are at a level that will impress their counterparts. This is related to strengthening your infrastructure. The day we do this, this infrastructure will not only serve the domestic market in Turkey but will also serve the world. I believe this is one of the main foundations of sustainability.”
The Atmaca missile passed its tough test.
Prof. Dr. İsmail Demir announced that Atmaca, Türkiye's first sea-launched cruise missile, has successfully passed one of the most challenging tests before mass production. Demir emphasized that Atmaca is superior to its counterparts worldwide.
Announcing the latest developments regarding the Atmaca missile with the words "We have some good news," Demir stated that another of Atmaca's final close-range tests had been conducted. İsmail Demir said, "The test was very successful. This is Atmaca's penultimate test; only one more test remains. This means we're nearing the end. We expect them to start mass production activities soon."
The head of SSB emphasized that a product's qualification and maturity cannot be determined by just a few tests, stating that some of the systems being developed undergo close to 50 tests.
Prof. Dr. İsmail Demir touched upon the following points: "When the issues of the Blue Homeland and the Eastern Mediterranean come to the fore in recent days, Atmaca will add strength to our power at sea. In addition to Atmaca, there are land-to-land cruise missiles and air-to-land cruise missiles derived from it, and other versions of it are being worked on. I would like to state that Roketsan is working not only on surface but also on submarine torpedo systems. Finally, a test with ammunition and a warhead will be conducted for Atmaca. It is better than its counterparts in the world. A missile that is completely independent from external sources in terms of its components will be provided to our security forces.”
Demir stated that Atmaca's engine tests were completed and that it had successfully qualified, adding that work on mass production of the engine would begin. Regarding the date of the cruise missile engine's first flight, Demir said, "Mass production is starting; we already have foreign engines available, and we will use those engines. Next year, we will see domestically produced cruise missile engines being used on the systems."
“It will have a very serious striking capability”
Roketsan General Manager Murat İkinci also provided the following information about Atmaca: "It is completely GPS independent; it can accurately locate and hit its target from a very significant distance using only its own inertial navigation unit. This demonstrates that Atmaca can accurately hit its target even in environments with very intense electronic warfare, despite its very limited navigation capabilities. Atmaca is thus prepared for the most challenging scenarios, even in situations involving electronic jamming. Because Atmaca flies very close to the sea surface, it is not detected by radars. We believe Atmaca will have a very serious strike capability. It also has different attack modes."
