Osman Okyay, Deputy Chairman of the Kale Group, stated that following the export contract signed with Brazil for the domestically developed turbojet missile engine, they have been in talks with numerous countries to establish new export partnerships, and reported that work is continuing to adapt this engine to different platforms and develop new engine variants.
At the 4th Investment Summit, organized by the Aegean Industrialists and Businesspeople Association (ESİAD) under the theme “Defense and Aviation,” the latest developments in Turkish defense industry projects were discussed.
Speaking to reporters at the summit, Osman Okyay, President of the Defense and Aviation Industry Manufacturers Association (SASAD) and Deputy Chairman of the Kale Group, offered his assessment of the defense industry’s future outlook.
Noting that the Turkish defense industry closed out last year with $7.2 billion in exports and rose to 11th place globally—and expressing his belief that this ranking will continue to rise rapidly—Okyay highlighted that the EU’s efforts to develop its defense industry represent an opportunity for Turkey.
Emphasizing that Turkey has now reached a different level in international partnerships and that the Baykar-Leonardo partnership is the best example of this change, Okyay said:
“By coming together, pooling their strengths, and combining their complementary capabilities, these two powerful companies will offer excellent products to global markets. This relationship, which once began with producing parts for products developed in the West, has now reached a different stage. We are now moving toward a path of joint design, joint production, and joint marketing. The current status of the Turkish defense industry is being closely monitored, particularly by the EU. I believe the Turkish defense industry is poised to make a significant leap forward in the current global landscape. We need to grow by at least double-digit percentages annually in dollar terms. That is the projection we are anticipating. The past five years have been like that, anyway.”
“We are developing four more types of engines”
Okyay noted that the KTJ series of domestically developed turbojet engines, created by the Kale Group, meets the engine requirements for cruise missiles produced in Turkey.
Noting that the KTJ 1750, KTJ 3200, and KTJ 3700 power the national cruise missiles Çakır, Som, Atmaca, and Kara Atmaca, Okyay said, “Now, our group’s goal is to adapt these engines for other platforms as well, such as what we might call jet UAVs—Kamikaze UAVs—or loitering munitions. We do not intend to limit ourselves to the cruise missile class; we will continue on our path toward higher-level engines. In addition to the three types of engines we have, we are currently developing four more types. There are four types of engines in the aviation world: turbojets, turbofans, turboprops, and turboshafts. So far, we have developed turbojet engines, and from now on, we will also develop engines of the other types.”
Recalling that Turkey’s first jet engine export began earlier this year with the KTJ 3200 contract signed with Brazil, Okyay said:
“The fact that we have transitioned from a country that imported jet engines to one that exports them truly fills us with great pride as citizens of the Republic of Turkey. I also foresee that our exports will continue to grow. We are in talks with 10–12 countries. The global engine sector is one where there are only a handful of major players. In our class of engines, if we include Europe and the United States, we’re talking about 3–4 players, including us. Consequently, when countries seeking to develop new cruise missiles have engine needs, we will be one of the places they turn to. This significantly increases our export potential. Double-digit growth in foreign currency terms is also part of our projections for the next five years.”
Domestic Engine Development for KAAN
Okyay also commented on the ongoing domestic engine development efforts for the National Fighter Aircraft KAAN, continuing:
“A fifth-generation fighter jet engine represents one of the highest peaks the global mechanical engineering sector can reach. If you can achieve this, it’s a feat that truly ensures you’ll never be left behind in the mechanical engineering sector. Simply having started such a project—or even intending to do so—is a tremendous achievement in itself, and there are currently many important efforts and developments underway toward the development of this engine. As a nation, we hope this project will succeed as soon as possible; God willing, we will see great things there as well.”
“Izmir is undergoing a transformation in the defense industry”
In his statement, Okyay also highlighted İzmir’s potential in the defense industry, saying, “We’re starting to see excellent companies emerge from İzmir. The development of critical technologies has begun.
When people hear ‘Izmir,’ they might think of the sea, sand, and sun, but in reality, Izmir is a city with a truly significant industrial culture. It is currently undergoing a process of transforming this industrial culture into the defense industry.”
ESİAD Board Chair Sibel Zorlu also noted in her statement that İzmir possesses significant potential in the defense industry due to its free zones, technology parks, R&D centers, skilled workforce, and status as an industrial and logistics hub.
Pointing out that the Defense Industries Presidency has a goal of localizing its entire supply system, Zorlu said, “Today, localization has reached 80 percent. Of course, the export aspect of this is also being discussed. That is why we see an opportunity for our companies not only to operate in their respective fields and sectors but also to create an additional area of business, expansion, and growth in this regard.”
Bülent Akgerman, Chairman of the ESİAD High Advisory Council, noted that the Aegean region has not been the first to come to mind within the defense industry ecosystem until now, and expressed that they are striving to raise awareness among all stakeholders through these meetings.
Akgerman said, “God willing, with the awareness we’ve created today, there are very strong companies and families in the Aegean Region as well. Perhaps they can start by forming partnerships, and we can build this ecosystem here.”
