Ahmet Akyol, the new CEO of Aselsan, wants to make the company more competitive, agile, and innovative with new technologies.
In an exclusive interview on the eve of IDEF2023, Akyol says one of his first actions as the chief executive officer will be to increase international sales and improve the company’s organisational structure with respect to business process transformations and partnership strategies. Excerpts from the interview:
The year 2023 is very important for Türkiye as it celebrates the 100th anniversary of the republic. How important is it for Aselsan?
We see this as an exciting and complex journey that Türkiye is going through. Together with Türkiye’s new century, Aselsan is stepping out to be more dedicated and more determined. Since technology is the heartbeat that keeps this new era of innovations and agility alive, Aselsan is not only keeping pace in this journey, but also establishing itself as a leader of this transformation. With our acquired success and experience, we are ready for tomorrow’s challenges on this journey. We present ourselves as a more competitive, agile, and innovative Aselsan with our new technologies: Ready to go beyond the age, a renewed Aselsan.
Looking ahead, what are Aselsan’s priority programs?
In an era where innovation, agility, and market development progress with technological advancements, we aim to further increase Aselsan’s solutions in the technology fields of the future. We continue our work on the defence industry trends of the future, such as unmanned technologies, laser and electro-optical [EO] systems, cyber security and space, satellite technologies, virtual reality [VR], and artificial intelligence [AI], leading the transformation in the sector.
You have also become one of the major players in the active protection system (APS). Could you give us an update?]
In the last decade, the importance of main battle tanks has increased in modern operation environments. Rocket-Propelled Grenade (RPG) and Anti-Tank Guided Missile (ATGM) usage against the main battle tanks has therefore increased in parallel. Traditional passive armours have become inadequate in protecting tanks. Taking new kind of measures have become an ultimate necessity.
In order to meet this emerging demand, Aselsan has started working on active protection technologies and has developed active protection systems, Pulat and Akkor. Pulat has been developed in a very short time span with a great effort, qualified by testing against hundreds of RPGs and ATGMs.
Pulat, one of the few operationally used active protection systems in the world, has increased the survivability of Turkish main battle tanks. The Akkor active protection system has been developed for covering various mission requirements defined for Altay main battle tanks. Aselsan, creating operationally used products with Akkor and Pulat active protection product family, will be a pioneer in the world in active protection systems.
How international does Aselsan plan to go in the next five years? Could you share with us your strategy for the Asia & Pacific region?
Aselsan’s vision is being a leading technology company that maintains its sustainable growth by creating value in the global market. Innovation and technological developments are the key forces that have the ability to alter global operations. Being aware of that, Aselsan uses every means of scientific research to bring forward deep engineering capabilities and advance technological infrastructure. One of my first actions as the CEO of Aselsan, will be increasing our international sales and improving our organizational structure with respect to business process transformations and partnership strategies, all with the aim of better serving our clients.
In the Asia & Pacific region, we have been pursuing recent developments and on-going opportunities not only with regard to the defence and civil sectors, but also investment prospects. Believing in the emerging potential of the region, Aselsan is keen on building strategic underlying partnerships. Currently, we serve more than 15 countries in the Asia & Pacific region, providing wide spectrum of state-of-the-art defence technologies in the domain of naval combat solution, weapon and air defence systems.
Any further plans for partnerships/subsidiaries or acquisitions abroad?
With regard to our international sales strategy, we have adopted the “global to local” business philosophy, where we continue to establish and build joint ventures, local production facilities and branch offices abroad, thus increasing physical presence abroad and easing access to our clients. These establishments are not only used for transfer of technology but also enables us to be available for clients’ requests in close geographical proximity to solve their needs and requirements efficiently. Today, as a world-standard technology hub, we continue our sustainable and stable marketing activities in global markets with our wide product range extending from military systems to civil solutions. Our 12 international subsidiaries and offices work continuously and tirelessly, keeping our company’s mission in front, to provide high value added and innovative solutions to both local and international clients. Oour main aim is to adopt our experience in the defence industry for the protection and security of people and the planet, whilst growing in global markets and further increasing our local presence in promising territories. We will also continue to supply high technology products and solutions in the domain of commercial and civilian fields.
Last but not the least, how important is IDEF for defense industry sector and what are Aselsan’s main activities during this exhibition?
IDEF Fair is one of the world’s largest defence industrial shows in the fields of defence, security, maritime, aviation, and space industries, and we are proud to be the largest hosting company of the fair this year as well. We are unveiling some of our systems developed entirely with local capabilities at IDEF. We are exhibiting the Kartaca Countermeasures Dispenser, STR Weapon Detection Radar, Aselflir-500 Electro-Optical System, and Mixed Reality Avionics System for the first time. We have equipped many critical indigenous solutions, from the National Combat Aircraft Kaan to the national Main Battle Tank Altay with Aselan major systems. With the strength we gain from the capabilities we provide, we will perform signing ceremonies and high-level meetings regarding many critical products at this year’s event. We are exhibiting nearly 500 of our products in our indoor and outdoor areas. We aim to showcase over 200 localised products. We invite all national and international visitors to come by the Aselsan booth and witness the level acquired by the Turkish Defence Industry and to experience our new journey closely.
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