Turkish firm Aselsan pledges to enter among top defense firms worldwide by 2030

By Zuhal Demirci

LONDON (AA) – Turkish firm Aselsan participated in the Farnborough International Airshow in the UK, where Ahmet Akyol, the company CEO, told Anadolu that the military provider is putting all its efforts in to be among the top 30 defense companies by 2030.

Aselsan showcased its military and civilian air platform systems at Farnborough for the first time since the company’s inception.

Akyol stated that Aselsan, established 49 years ago, became one of Türkiye’s leading defense firms, providing solutions for land and sea platforms to their country’s armed forces and to other clients worldwide.

Türkiye has so far made significant progress in aviation in recent years, said Akyol, reaching a point where the nation now exports unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), helicopters, airplanes, and even homegrown satellites, with the active participation and collaboration of Aselsan.

Akyol mentioned that Aselsan displayed more then 50 products in six different categories at the Farnborough International Airshow, including avionic systems, electronic warfare solutions, electro-optical cameras, radar systems, and communications technologies.

- ‘Aselsan’s investments boost Türkiye’s international cooperation’

Akyol highlighted that Aselsan makes strategic investments to contribute to the Turkish economy with the firm’s high-tech production.

“We export products worth $2,000 per kilogram, and our investments boost Türkiye’s international cooperation,” said Akyol.

Akyol noted that Aselsan’s goals are achieved via the support by the government and company shareholders, and he added that Aselsan will continue its strides to achieve its targets in the defense industry with a high-tech and innovation-oriented approach.

“Aselsan has reached an annual revenue of $2.5 billion, with offices, factories, and operations in 18 different countries, while boasting 16 subsidiaries in Türkiye,” said Akyol.

The CEO mentioned that the company’s 2030 goals include technology roadmaps, faster operation, digital transformation, and more.

“The aim of our 2030 program is to place Aselsan among the top 30 defense firms worldwide from its current position of 47 within seven years, and towards that goal, we are working day and night to ensure our success,” he said.

Akyol mentioned that one of the reasons for the company’s success is its “qualified human resources,” as the firm has opened vocational high school to support the youth, as well as internship programs for college students which act as a gateway for qualified and talented students to make it to Aselsan.

*Writing by Emir Yildirim in Istanbul