The Turkish defense industry, which closed the year 2021 with an export record and aims to export more than $4 billion in 2022, will provide “national participation” to the international defense industry fairs held in 8 countries this year under the leadership of the Presidency of Defense Industry. Defense Industry President Ismail Demir said, “Many of our companies have started to make their mark among the world’s leading companies in their fields of activity with their capabilities. We will continue to increase our efforts towards exports in order to turn these talents into commercial success and to earn foreign currency for our country.”
President of the Presidency of Defense Industries, Ismail Demir, told Anadolu Agency (AA) that exports in the defense industry are possible with the combination of many factors and persistent follow-up for many years.
Stating that participation in international fairs and displaying the talents in these fairs are part of the efforts exhibited, Demir reminded that many fairs have been postponed in recent years due to the Covid-19 outbreak. Expressing that the fair schedules started to return to normal with the easing of the effects of the epidemic, Demir stated that Turkish companies will also “national participation” in a series of fairs under the leadership of the Presidency. Ismail Demir said:
“Our defense and aviation industry closed last year with a new export record of $3 billion 224 million. Our target this year is to reach over $4 billion. In line with the assessments we made with the sector, we will participate in the fairs we have determined to reach geographies that we see as strategically important. We will visit 8 different countries with dozens of companies and explain our products and capabilities. Many of our companies have started to make their mark among the world’s leading companies in their fields of activity with their capabilities. We will continue to increase our export-oriented efforts in order to turn these talents into commercial success and to earn foreign currency for our country.”
TURKISH PRODUCTS WILL TRAVEL INTERCONTINENTALLY
As part of the preparation carried out, Turkish companies will head to Qatar for the DIMDEX 2022 Fair on March 21-23. Turkey will ensure a strong participation in the Doha International Maritime Defense Fair and Conference this year as well. Turkish defense industry companies will take initiatives for new cooperation in this country and the Gulf region, to which they export armored vehicles, ships and boats, and unmanned aerial vehicles within the scope of the fair.
The industry’s stop in the last days of March will be the Asian Defense and Security Exhibition (DSA 2022) in Malaysia. Turkish companies had signed various agreements and memorandums of understanding for cooperation in Malaysia in the past years. The companies aim to take on new responsibilities in Malaysia, especially in the tender of 18 aircraft light attack aircraft, in which Turkish Aerospace Industries Inc. participated.
The Turkish defense industry will visit Chile for FIDAE 2022, the largest defense and security fair of the South American region, on April 5-10. Turkish companies will try to evaluate cooperation and marketing opportunities for countries in the region such as Argentina, Brazil, Colombia and Peru, especially Chile.
Strong participation will be ensured this year in the Azerbaijan International Defense Industry Fair (ADEX), which is planned to be held on September 6-8. ADEX, of which Turkey has been the largest participant in the past years, is among the most important defense industry fairs in the South Caucasus and Central Asia region.
For the rest of the year, the sector will participate in the African Aerospace and Defense Exhibition in South Africa on September 21-25, the International Indonesia Defense Exhibition in Indonesia on November 2-5, and IDEAS 2022 in Pakistan on November 15-19.
The Turkish defense industry will also participate in the Asian Defense and Security Fair to be held in Manila, the capital of the Philippines, during the year. Recently, the Philippines bought 6 Atak helicopters from Turkey, and also supplies various defense industry products and equipment from Turkish companies such as ASELSAN, Machine and Chemical Industry Inc. The fair also offers opportunities to reach the countries of the region.
Besides “national participation”, Turkish companies will participate in various fairs and events in countries they deem important for them, and will strive for export opportunities.
Source: Sabah / Translated by Irem Yildiz