Capt. Adam Abdullah and Mohan Neerjoo, Executive Directors of Malaysia-based company Zev(M) Sdn Bhd, are at the ongoing SAHA Expo 2024, hoping to make headway in their mission to procure the Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI)-produced Hürkuş aircraft that will be used for training purposes by students at the Malaysian Institute of Aviation Technology (UniKL MIAT), the nation’s premier aviation training institution.
“This is our second trip to Türkiye this year,” says Neerjoo. “There is a lot to like about the Turkish defence industry. They are interested in building relationships. They are more than open to transfer of technology and are willing to train our people as well. It is not a surprise that the industry is growing at a fast pace.”
In 2021, Turkish Aerospace and UniKL MIAT) signed a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) to collaborate on delivering aerospace educational, technical training and applied research programs in Malaysia. “They trained about 100 students per year in Kuala Lumpur,” said Capt. Abdullah. “Some of them are now working in Türkiye. We want to see the relationship grow.”
Market with Potential
In recent years, Türkiye’s defence firms have had significant success in the Southeast Asian market with countries such as Malaysia and Indonesia ordering Turkish weapons systems such as drones, anti-ship missiles, and warships.
In June this year, Türkiye and Malaysia signed an agreement for STM to build three vessels for the Royal Malaysian Navy under the latter’s Littoral Mission Ship Batch 2 Project. Products from a number of Turkish defence industry firms, including Havelsan, Aselsan and Roketsan, will be used on the ships.
“Türkiye’s defence firms produce highly capable products at very competitive prices,” says Capt. Abdullah. “They have found a very effective way to expand their reach internationally.”
Indonesia in 2023 signed a US$300 million deal with TAI for 12 Anka drones that will be used by its army, air force, and navy. Full delivery is expected before November 2025. Indonesia’s defence ministry has proposed arming its upcoming Red White frigates with Turkish missiles to defend its vast maritime borders.
The Indonesian Air Force chief of staff met the Turkish Air Force commander in Ankara in July this year to discuss collaboration on a range of issues such as strengthening air defences, among other things. The service chief also visited facilities belonging to Baykar Technology, manufacturer of the Bayraktar TB2 drone. According to reports, the Indonesian Navy is interested in acquiring Bayraktar Akinci, made by Baykar, and more units of the Anka UCAV,. Baykar and TAI are also prepared to collaborate with Indonesia’s Dirgantara, Indonesian aerospace firm, on transfer of technology.
Indonesia has also decided to buy 45 Atmaca anti-ship guided missiles; the country is the first international customer for Roketsan’s surface-to-surface missile. The Atmaca will replace American-built AGM-84 Harpoons. In November 2022, Roketsan signed a contract with Jakarta to supply the Khan short-range ballistic missile, the export version of Turkey’s Bora-1 SRBM.
Rising Power
Turkey, which was not too long ago a major importer of weapons, is now the 11th largest exporter of arms in the world. In 2023, Turkish exports of defence and aerospace products reached US$5.5 billion, a 27 percent increase from the previous year. According to figures released by Türkiye’s Defense Industry Agency (SSB), the Turkish defence and aviation industry’s export revenues grew by 9.8 percent in the first eight months of 2024 compared to the same period last year, touching US$ 3.7 billion. In August alone, the country’s defence and aerospace exports reached US$423 million, up by 12.6 percent compared to the same month of the previous year.
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