President of TÜBİTAK Prof. Dr. Hasan Mandal attended the protocol ceremonies held with TUSAS, ASELSAN, ROKETSAN, Mechanical and Chemical Industries Corporation (MKE) and Koç Savunma within the scope of the 16th International Defence Industry Fair IDEF in Istanbul.
The F-16 Modernisation Cooperation Protocol was signed between TÜBİTAK SAGE, TUSAS, ASELSAN and ROKETSAN. The protocol was signed by Prof. Dr. Hasan Mandal on behalf of TÜBİTAK, Prof. Dr. Temel Kotil, President & CEO of TUSAS, Ahmet Akyol, CEO of ASELSAN, and Murat İkinci, General Manager of ROKETSAN.
The protocol covers the work to be carried out by the Parties for the modernisation of the F-16 Block30/40/50 aircraft in the inventory of the Air Forces Command within the scope of the capabilities gained or being gained.
Two separate protocols were signed between the MKE, Koç Savunma and TÜBİTAK SAGE. Prof. Dr. Haluk Görgün, President of the Defence Industry Agency; Dr. Celal Sami Tüfekçi, Deputy Minister of the Ministry of National Defence; Prof. Dr. Hasan Mandal, President of TÜBİTAK; and Mehmet Hakan Öktem, Executive Director of Koç Savunma signed the protocols.
With the MALAMAN Smart Bottom Mine Mass Production Cooperation Framework Protocol, the cooperation issues to be carried out by the parties in case of mass production of the product were determined.
In addition, with the GÖKTUĞ Project Mass Production Project signed by Gürcan Okumuş on behalf of TÜBİTAK SAGE with the Presidency of Defence Industries, it is aimed to carry out the first low-rate production activities in the first stage. In addition, a Control Drive Whole Production and Integration Contract was signed with Volt Defence, and an Avionic System Whole Production and Integration Contract was signed with Space and Defence Technologies - SDT.
Prof. Dr. Mandal: "These protocols are important steps for Türkiye's defence industry"
TÜBİTAK President Prof. Dr. Hasan Mandal emphasised the importance of collaborations and studies for Türkiye to become a strong actor in the defence industry. Stating that such collaborations are important for strengthening Türkiye's defence capabilities and realising the vision of a fully independent Türkiye, Mandal said: "These protocols show that Türkiye has taken important steps and improved capabilities in the field of defence industry. These protocols will further strengthen Türkiye's defence capabilities and contribute to the growth of our country in the defence industry. Our country is moving towards the vision of a fully independent Türkiye even stronger with these strategic cooperations between the important actors of defence industry."
