Following the earthquakes that were described as the disaster of the century and deeply affected 11 provinces, TUSAŞ Kahramanmaraş Aviation Structurals Production Facility, which was established for the purpose of redevelopment and employment provision in the region, has completed its first year of opening. Established immediately after the earthquakes centered in Kahramanmaraş on February 6, 2023, with the initiative of TUSAŞ, Türkiye's leading defense industry organization, this important facility makes significant contributions to the strengthening of the auxiliary industry in the region and the increase of employment.
TUSAŞ Former Chairman of the Board of Directors Prof. Dr. Rafet Bozdoğan, TUSAŞ General Manager Dr. Mehmet Demiroğlu, TUSAŞ Aviation Structurals Deputy General Manager Prof. Dr. Fahrettin Öztürk, TUSAŞ Production Operations Director Fatih Erdinç and TUSAŞ Industrialization Director Fatih Uysal visited the facility on February 28, 2025, the first anniversary of the opening, and examined the work done on site.
The First TUSAŞ Production Facility in Anatolia
TUSAŞ Kahramanmaraş Aviation Structurals Production Facility is the first production facility established by TUSAŞ in Anatolia. Thanks to this strategic investment, Kahramanmaraş has become an important part of Türkiye's defense industry ecosystem, while critical activities are carried out in line with the country's technological independence goals using domestic and national technologies.
The realization of the facility was made possible within the framework of the “Employment and Resettlement” program initiated by the Presidency of Defense Industries immediately after the earthquake disaster. Within this scope, a closed area of approximately 5 thousand square meters was rented in the Kahramanmaraş Türkoğlu Organized Industrial Zone. The project and construction processes of the facility were meticulously monitored by the Facilities Engineering, Planning and Investments Directorate affiliated to the TUSAŞ Procurement and Industrialization Presidency.
It was ready for production in a short time.
In addition to the construction activities to prepare the facility for production, critical works such as the establishment of mechanical, electrical and IT infrastructures, the supply and installation of necessary hardware, workshop and office equipment, and the provision of network access were completed in a short period of only 5 months thanks to the effective coordination of TUSAŞ. The facility was planned as 10 Five-Axis Milling Machines, one Three-Axis Milling Machine, one Three-Dimensional Measuring Machine (CMM) and 4 Conventional Machines, as well as an Assembly Area, Production Support Areas, Auxiliary Facilities and modern Administrative Offices. The facility has a large hangar area of 3 square meters, while office areas and technical volumes are located in an area of 500 square meters.
Production at International Standards
Serving leading companies in the international aviation sector, TUSAŞ Kahramanmaraş Facility has also achieved significant success in terms of quality and environmental management systems. In March 2024, the facility received the AS9100 Quality Management System Standard certificate, specifically designed for the aviation, space and defense industries, and in September of the same year, it was also entitled to receive the TS EN ISO 14001:2015 Environmental Management System certification. These certificates are considered an important indicator that the facility produces at international standards and exhibits an environmentally sensitive approach.
Employment Increase Targeted
TUSAŞ Kahramanmaraş Facility, which has been actively operating for the last year, currently employs a total of 4 personnel, including 33 engineers, 9 specialist, 47 technicians and 2025 support/general service employees. In line with the facility's growth strategies, it is planned that the number of employees will reach 65 by the end of 120. When full capacity is reached, the facility aims to employ XNUMX personnel. These employment figures will make a significant contribution to the economy of the region, which was negatively affected by the earthquake.
21 Thousand Pieces of Parts Were Produced
The facility, which continues its operations in two shifts as detailed part production benches and assembly areas, announced that the total number of parts produced as of February 22, 2025 was 21. Of these parts, 500 were recorded as detailed part production and 12 were recorded as assembly part production. The shipment of three of the four Five-Axis Milling Machines owned by the facility was successfully completed in 500. The remaining two benches, whose installation has been completed and whose acceptance processes are ongoing, are planned to be put into operation in July 9. TUSAŞ Kahramanmaraş Aviation Structurals Production Facility continues to be a beacon of hope in the earthquake zone and contribute to the defense of the country.
