ASELSAN General Manager Ahmet Akyol revealed the Turkish defense industry's rapid delivery capability to NATO allies. Akyol announced that the company can deliver the most complex radar and air defense systems in less than two years.
Speaking at the NATO Heads of State and Government 36th Summit, Akyol said, "We state clearly from Ankara: If the order is placed today, most of our most complex radar systems and air defense complexes can be delivered to allies in less than two years."
Akyol noted that ASELSAN has significantly shortened order fulfillment times, saying that 28 percent of orders received last year were delivered within the same year. "This is a direct result of our industrial capacity. We have increased our serial production capacity by 40 percent in just the last two years," he said.
Akyol noted that one of the world's largest air defense system production bases is currently being established in Ankara, adding that the investment in this project has exceeded 2 billion dollars.
Akyol emphasized that the most important feature distinguishing ASELSAN from its European competitors is its serial production capability, proven effective through tested products and continuous operational feedback. "I am closely familiar with the production times and delivery schedules of European companies; I do not think they have a similar level of readiness," he said.
Akyol said that the Turkish defense industry ecosystem has a high degree of complexity and covers almost all key areas, and that Turkey's strategic importance within NATO has evolved into its defense industry potential. "In the NATO 3.0 era, the determining factor is defense industry capability," he stated.
Calling on European governments for an open market and fair competition, the ASELSAN General Manager said, "Open competition offers customers the opportunity to obtain higher quality products at more competitive prices. As the Turkish defense industry, we can offer the best solutions and we have proven this repeatedly in different countries."
Akyol drew attention to the success of the ecosystem encompassing more than 3,000 domestic suppliers, adding that he believes Turkey and its defense industry will make even more significant contributions to NATO's collective security compared to the past.
