Here is an english translation I made of an interview by Turkish Defence Industry Undersecretariat Mr. Murad Bayar. The interview highlights in general outlines the military projects undertaking in Turkiye. It encompasses many sections of the military forces like army, navy and airforce so i guess the General Military Defence section of our forum is more suitable. As a final comment english is a second language to me so do excuse if i made some literary mistakes. 
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Turkish Defence Industry Undersecretariat (Savunma Sanayi Mustesari) Murad Bayar, commented that Turkish Armed Forces will be able to source 50 percent of its system and equipment needs domestically. Bayar said “In 2006 we did a Strategic Plan projecting that domestic industry will be able to supply 50 percent of the Turkish Armed Forces’ (TAF) arms and equipment needs by the year 2011, however due to the high performance been shown we have already reached 40 percent and expect that by 2009 we will reach 50 percents capability. This means that from 2009 half of the annual avarage expenditure of 3.5 billion dolars by TAF will remain in country.”
Highlighting the rapid growth and development of the local civil and state Turkish defence industy, Bayar said that we are facing the need for more qualified engineers and technicians and added that during his visit to meetings in the USA in april he will also take the opportunity to call upon the Turkish citizens studying and working there to seek up opportunities in the Turkish defence industry.
We asked him some questions regarding the projects undertaken by the Defence Industry Undersecretariat.
Q:How is the satellite programme going?
A:In april we will be meeting for the Gokturk satellite. We have completed our work, however it launch has been moved to 2011. The rumours that the Israeli firm that lost on the deal giving new bid and this been taking into consideration is not true. We are continuing on with 3 firms on this project.
Q:Is there any problems with the Gokturk satellite programme, especially has the problems associated with Turksat’s production of the satellite been resolved?
A:The problems we faced with Turksat producing the satellite has been resolved. TAI and Turksat will be in cooperation for the production. TAI, besides been a center for aeroplane production, testing and entegration center will also turn into such a center for satellites. After we had reached the deals we decided to invest into TAI to have all the technological necessities to produce, test and integrate satellites as well. The scientific cooperation between TAI and Tubitak for the surveillance research satellite in their headquarters. In time the Satellite Test and Integrations Center will be place for development of Turkiye’s satellite needs for both security and civilian use.
Q:We know that the Israeli Heron (uav) will be delivered in april.Are there any delays with these uav’s that play vital role in Turkiye’s struggle against terrorism?
A:No. We have purchased 3 systems and 10 Heron uav’s from Israel and like planned their delivery will be made in april. There is no delay in their delivery at all. We have completed the training of the personnell that will use them also.
Q:Can you inform us about domestic uav projects?
A:We have UAV projects that are continuing on with success. Baykar Makine in association with Kale Kalip have produced a mini-UAV named Bayraktar and have delivered the first systems to the Land Forces, we expect that this new UAV will play a major role against our counter-terrorism operations. Its a portable unit beign tranportable in the back-packs of the units in field and when needed it is launched for flight off-shoulder. Can stay in air for an hour and has a 15km flight range. The data is collected in a laptop for analysis for command purposes, it is a very usefull and effective system.
Another project underway is a different UAV that has a 6 hour flight time. Its projection launched and lands conventionally on a runway. Fort his Kale Kalip, Baykar Makine and Vestel are working together. Its expected to have a demonstration flight by fall after which we will decide on its success.
Currently TAI is also working on another UAV system similar to the Israeli Herons. The wing span on this UAV will be 20mt. with the ability to carry on board such equipment as weapons, cameras and radars.
Theres also a Project been developed by Kale Kalip and Baykar Makine, its a helicopter UAV been able to launch and land vertically, currently it has a 1.5 hour flight time but its worked on to have have greater fligh time and range. It has great importance to be used on naval vessels.
Q: Has the electronics systems fort he 30 F-16 been concluded? Or are we stil waiting fort he decision?
A:Regarding this matter the Air Forces Commands requests were taken into consideration and the USA firm ITT’s ALQ211V suit has been chosen. Designing, testing and production time of a local suite was deemed a loss of time and instead we opted for the ALQ211V. Considering that the 30 F16s in hand are purchased as gap-measure, further wait on a local design was deemed not suitable. The production, integration and tests of the 30 Block 50 F16s will be done by TUSAS Havacilik ve Uzay Sanayi (TAI). Including spares 42 F110 engines will be produced by TUSAS Motor Sanayi (TEI). The first delivery of these planes will start mid 2011 and finalize towards end of 2012.
Q: About the the F35 programme and its distribution of workshare amoung partners, Aselsan is requesting 1 billion dolar work share from Lockheed Martin, what is the outcome of this matter?
A: We are in discussion with the Americans on this matter, the discussions are continuing as yet.
Q:What is the latest on the M60 tank modernezation programme?
A:The delivery of modernized tanks to the Land Forces have started since January ’08. The monthly production rate is 8 tanks and will be completed in 2009.
Q: What is the current point we have reached with the National Tank Project?A: Research on the development of the "National Tank" (as the Turkish new mbt is referred to in Turkish) is continuing. Until april (08) we will sign prototype production agreemenet with main contractor firm Otokar. In this project Roketsan will provide the armour, MKEK will provide the gun barrel. They (MKEK) had been producing 44 calibre short range barrels before, but for the new tank they will be producing a 55 calibre 120mm long range barrels. Aselsan will be producing the fire-control suites and Otokar will entegrate all this.
Q: What is the development stage the Turkish infantry rifle has reached, which firms will be involved and how will this new rifle have any outsanding features compared to similar ones internationally?
A: Above all things its going to be our own design and production. When we take into consideration Turkish armed, gendarmie and police forces we talking about 1 million units. We will not be losing money to outside country due to rifle or its armament. Above all it will be a family of products including rifles and machine guns (referring to variety of designs). It will be (one) of the best rifles in the world and will have export potential. Obviously MKEK will have a great deal share invested in its production.
Q: What is the delivery date of the AWACS? Can we learn what kind of penalty request has been made to Boeing due to delays in delivery?
A: According to first set delivery dates we are facing a 3 year delay on delivery. Thus the first plane will be delivered in 2010. Regarding the penalty request our lawyers are working on that matter.
Q:We received rumours that SuperCobras from USA will be purchased, is there any efforts towards such a purchase?
A:Currently in the inventory of Turkish Armed Forces we have Cobra and SuperCobras operational. Considering our operations and pilot performances we requested from USA fort he purchase of 10-12 additional SuperCobras. These are not produced in US. The US Marines have an inventory of 170, and we want them, but our American counterparts are saying they need them. Our partners in the ATAK (Turkish attack helicopter programme) the Italian AGUSTA company has offered intermediate gap filling platforms. But the engine in those choppers are smaller than what our needs call for, so for now it was not deemed acceptable.
Q:Will there be a delay in the ATAK helicopter programme?
A:No, there is no delay at all. In april the prototype production will begin, unlike it was rumoured there are no problems with the Rolls Royce and Honeywell engines been considered to be used in these platforms. The Project cost is about 2.7 billion dollars. The main contractor is TAI and foreign subsidery is AGUSTA, with Aselsan been the producer of avionics suite.
Q:What is the latest with the heavy lift helicopter?
A:We are in waiting fort he proposal from Boeing about the CH47 Chinooks, we will source our needs from a single supplier. Sikorsky has the CH53 but they can not deliver prior to 2015.
Q:When will the Turkish Missile Shield Project encompassing short, medium and long range air defence systems start?
A: We have divided this into 3 seperate projects and will be decided upon in our meeting in april. The short and medium range systems have the probability of been our designs and productions, however the long range air defence systems could be a local-foreign join venture, the results will be decided in our upcoming meeting.
Q:What are your 2008 aims?
A:2008 will be a year with continued high performance work on our programmes. In cooperation with the Naval Forces Command we are to bring onto water the first ship in the MILGEM (Turkish indigenous frigate) programme at Pendik Shipyards. Which will be followed by the integration of command control, electronic warfare and armament systems and suites. ATAK helicopter and National Tank prototype productions and also Gokturk Satellite Project will get started. Currently we have 60 reasearch and development projects underway with a budget of 150 million dollars. The number of projects our Undersecretariat is following up to conclusion is 180.
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Cheers.
Source of the interview in original Turkish is at trmilitary dot com
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Turkish Defence Industry Undersecretariat (Savunma Sanayi Mustesari) Murad Bayar, commented that Turkish Armed Forces will be able to source 50 percent of its system and equipment needs domestically. Bayar said “In 2006 we did a Strategic Plan projecting that domestic industry will be able to supply 50 percent of the Turkish Armed Forces’ (TAF) arms and equipment needs by the year 2011, however due to the high performance been shown we have already reached 40 percent and expect that by 2009 we will reach 50 percents capability. This means that from 2009 half of the annual avarage expenditure of 3.5 billion dolars by TAF will remain in country.”
Highlighting the rapid growth and development of the local civil and state Turkish defence industy, Bayar said that we are facing the need for more qualified engineers and technicians and added that during his visit to meetings in the USA in april he will also take the opportunity to call upon the Turkish citizens studying and working there to seek up opportunities in the Turkish defence industry.
We asked him some questions regarding the projects undertaken by the Defence Industry Undersecretariat.
Q:How is the satellite programme going?
A:In april we will be meeting for the Gokturk satellite. We have completed our work, however it launch has been moved to 2011. The rumours that the Israeli firm that lost on the deal giving new bid and this been taking into consideration is not true. We are continuing on with 3 firms on this project.
Q:Is there any problems with the Gokturk satellite programme, especially has the problems associated with Turksat’s production of the satellite been resolved?
A:The problems we faced with Turksat producing the satellite has been resolved. TAI and Turksat will be in cooperation for the production. TAI, besides been a center for aeroplane production, testing and entegration center will also turn into such a center for satellites. After we had reached the deals we decided to invest into TAI to have all the technological necessities to produce, test and integrate satellites as well. The scientific cooperation between TAI and Tubitak for the surveillance research satellite in their headquarters. In time the Satellite Test and Integrations Center will be place for development of Turkiye’s satellite needs for both security and civilian use.
Q:We know that the Israeli Heron (uav) will be delivered in april.Are there any delays with these uav’s that play vital role in Turkiye’s struggle against terrorism?
A:No. We have purchased 3 systems and 10 Heron uav’s from Israel and like planned their delivery will be made in april. There is no delay in their delivery at all. We have completed the training of the personnell that will use them also.
Q:Can you inform us about domestic uav projects?
A:We have UAV projects that are continuing on with success. Baykar Makine in association with Kale Kalip have produced a mini-UAV named Bayraktar and have delivered the first systems to the Land Forces, we expect that this new UAV will play a major role against our counter-terrorism operations. Its a portable unit beign tranportable in the back-packs of the units in field and when needed it is launched for flight off-shoulder. Can stay in air for an hour and has a 15km flight range. The data is collected in a laptop for analysis for command purposes, it is a very usefull and effective system.
Another project underway is a different UAV that has a 6 hour flight time. Its projection launched and lands conventionally on a runway. Fort his Kale Kalip, Baykar Makine and Vestel are working together. Its expected to have a demonstration flight by fall after which we will decide on its success.
Currently TAI is also working on another UAV system similar to the Israeli Herons. The wing span on this UAV will be 20mt. with the ability to carry on board such equipment as weapons, cameras and radars.
Theres also a Project been developed by Kale Kalip and Baykar Makine, its a helicopter UAV been able to launch and land vertically, currently it has a 1.5 hour flight time but its worked on to have have greater fligh time and range. It has great importance to be used on naval vessels.
Q: Has the electronics systems fort he 30 F-16 been concluded? Or are we stil waiting fort he decision?
A:Regarding this matter the Air Forces Commands requests were taken into consideration and the USA firm ITT’s ALQ211V suit has been chosen. Designing, testing and production time of a local suite was deemed a loss of time and instead we opted for the ALQ211V. Considering that the 30 F16s in hand are purchased as gap-measure, further wait on a local design was deemed not suitable. The production, integration and tests of the 30 Block 50 F16s will be done by TUSAS Havacilik ve Uzay Sanayi (TAI). Including spares 42 F110 engines will be produced by TUSAS Motor Sanayi (TEI). The first delivery of these planes will start mid 2011 and finalize towards end of 2012.
Q: About the the F35 programme and its distribution of workshare amoung partners, Aselsan is requesting 1 billion dolar work share from Lockheed Martin, what is the outcome of this matter?
A: We are in discussion with the Americans on this matter, the discussions are continuing as yet.
Q:What is the latest on the M60 tank modernezation programme?
A:The delivery of modernized tanks to the Land Forces have started since January ’08. The monthly production rate is 8 tanks and will be completed in 2009.
Q: What is the current point we have reached with the National Tank Project?A: Research on the development of the "National Tank" (as the Turkish new mbt is referred to in Turkish) is continuing. Until april (08) we will sign prototype production agreemenet with main contractor firm Otokar. In this project Roketsan will provide the armour, MKEK will provide the gun barrel. They (MKEK) had been producing 44 calibre short range barrels before, but for the new tank they will be producing a 55 calibre 120mm long range barrels. Aselsan will be producing the fire-control suites and Otokar will entegrate all this.
Q: What is the development stage the Turkish infantry rifle has reached, which firms will be involved and how will this new rifle have any outsanding features compared to similar ones internationally?
A: Above all things its going to be our own design and production. When we take into consideration Turkish armed, gendarmie and police forces we talking about 1 million units. We will not be losing money to outside country due to rifle or its armament. Above all it will be a family of products including rifles and machine guns (referring to variety of designs). It will be (one) of the best rifles in the world and will have export potential. Obviously MKEK will have a great deal share invested in its production.
Q: What is the delivery date of the AWACS? Can we learn what kind of penalty request has been made to Boeing due to delays in delivery?
A: According to first set delivery dates we are facing a 3 year delay on delivery. Thus the first plane will be delivered in 2010. Regarding the penalty request our lawyers are working on that matter.
Q:We received rumours that SuperCobras from USA will be purchased, is there any efforts towards such a purchase?
A:Currently in the inventory of Turkish Armed Forces we have Cobra and SuperCobras operational. Considering our operations and pilot performances we requested from USA fort he purchase of 10-12 additional SuperCobras. These are not produced in US. The US Marines have an inventory of 170, and we want them, but our American counterparts are saying they need them. Our partners in the ATAK (Turkish attack helicopter programme) the Italian AGUSTA company has offered intermediate gap filling platforms. But the engine in those choppers are smaller than what our needs call for, so for now it was not deemed acceptable.
Q:Will there be a delay in the ATAK helicopter programme?
A:No, there is no delay at all. In april the prototype production will begin, unlike it was rumoured there are no problems with the Rolls Royce and Honeywell engines been considered to be used in these platforms. The Project cost is about 2.7 billion dollars. The main contractor is TAI and foreign subsidery is AGUSTA, with Aselsan been the producer of avionics suite.
Q:What is the latest with the heavy lift helicopter?
A:We are in waiting fort he proposal from Boeing about the CH47 Chinooks, we will source our needs from a single supplier. Sikorsky has the CH53 but they can not deliver prior to 2015.
Q:When will the Turkish Missile Shield Project encompassing short, medium and long range air defence systems start?
A: We have divided this into 3 seperate projects and will be decided upon in our meeting in april. The short and medium range systems have the probability of been our designs and productions, however the long range air defence systems could be a local-foreign join venture, the results will be decided in our upcoming meeting.
Q:What are your 2008 aims?
A:2008 will be a year with continued high performance work on our programmes. In cooperation with the Naval Forces Command we are to bring onto water the first ship in the MILGEM (Turkish indigenous frigate) programme at Pendik Shipyards. Which will be followed by the integration of command control, electronic warfare and armament systems and suites. ATAK helicopter and National Tank prototype productions and also Gokturk Satellite Project will get started. Currently we have 60 reasearch and development projects underway with a budget of 150 million dollars. The number of projects our Undersecretariat is following up to conclusion is 180.
--------------------
Cheers.
Source of the interview in original Turkish is at trmilitary dot com