ASELSAN General Manager Ahmet Akyol made important statements regarding the modernization project of the Argentine Navy's MEKO 360 class frigates. In an exclusive interview with Pucará Defensa, Akyol explained in detail the advantages of ASELSAN's proposal for this modernization.
ASELSAN offers the extensive experience it gained in the modernization of the Turkish Naval Forces' MEKO 200 (BARBAROS Class Frigate) ships to the Argentine Naval Forces. Akyol emphasized that ASELSAN has over 500 products in a wide range of areas such as electronic warfare, radar, optics, air defense and communication in the maritime field.
Turkish Naval Forces Experience Moves to Argentina
Akyol, “We have approximately 50 different systems covering electronic warfare, radar, optics, air defense, communication and all other electronic components in ships, submarines or armed systems. We equip all Turkish warships, our systems are used in more than 25 countries. As for the modernization of Argentine frigates, we have the same warship in Türkiye, we are also modernizing it. We have completed the first two ships and this is an ongoing program,” he said, conveying ASELSAN’s experience and ongoing projects in this field.
Cost Effective and NATO Standard Solutions
Akyol, who stated that modernization is a more cost-effective option compared to building a new ship, said, “This modernization is, first of all, a more cost-effective way to have your own warship without building a new ship. Therefore, when it is necessary to compare modernization with building a new ship, ASELSAN offers a very cost-effective solution. This is why the Turkish Naval Forces preferred this option.”
Akyol, who emphasized that the systems offered by ASELSAN have NATO standards and are actively used by the Turkish Armed Forces, said, “We offer long-range radars, ISR systems, sonars, electronic warfare systems and our combat management system is currently being modernized. In addition, it is aimed to increase the quality of the ship and provide operational flexibility after modernization. We are currently examining the Argentine frigates and await Argentina’s final decision.”
Open Approach to Local Industry Collaboration
Akyol, who also explained ASELSAN’s approach to local industrial participation, stated that the company is not a shipyard, but specializes in electronic warfare. Akyol emphasized the importance they give to local collaborations by saying, “Argentina has shipyards, and we are not a shipyard, we are an electronic warfare company. Therefore, our basic vision is to do something with local companies, we will offer some capabilities to local companies, perhaps shipyards operated by the Argentine government.”
Listing ASELSAN's advantages, Akyol drew attention to factors such as cost-effective solutions, compliance with NATO standards, systems tested by active users, and being in a complementary position with shipyards as an electronics company, not a competitor. He also touched on ASELSAN's rapid growth potential and young, dynamic staff.
Strategic View of the Latin American Market
Akyol stated that ASELSAN has the capability to modernize not only MEKO 360 but also MEKO 140 or 200 class ships. Referring to the potential in the Latin American market, Akyol said, “We have the capability to modernize, so it doesn’t matter if it’s MEKO 140, 200 or 360. We did this in Türkiye, we did it in many other countries, so we have all the sensors, weapon systems, all the electronics, analysis and deployment capabilities.”
Akyol, who emphasized that Latin America is one of the key regions in line with ASELSAN's strategy to increase international cooperation, said, “Therefore, we are trying to increase international cooperation and in this sense, we are at LAAD to showcase our capabilities to all of Latin America. And we have many projects in Brazil, Argentina and other countries. Therefore, I can say that one of ASELSAN's main targets is Latin America, like Western Europe, like Western Asia. Latin America is one of the key regions for expanding ASELSAN's presence, capabilities and partnerships, and we are open to local cooperation. Not only shipyards, but everything related to electronics is in our hands, so anyone aiming to increase capacity in Latin America can be a natural partner for ASELSAN. We are open to discussing all kinds of cooperation and aim to increase our local capacity and presence in Latin America. This is our vision. Our cooperation with governments is very good these days. We know the Turkish government and the governments in Latin America, but this is a cooperation open to all local companies,” he summarized ASELSAN's strategic approach to the region.
