In a closing speech at the “Global Strategies in Defense and Aerospace Industry Conference” held at the Belek Tourism Center in Antalya, President of Defense Industry Haluk Görgün announced plans to take immediate organizational steps towards establishing a NATO Directorate within the framework of the presidency.
Görgün emphasized the unity of the defense industry as a significant family, expressing confidence that as long as this family exists, Turkey will progress steadily towards its vision of becoming a global power. He highlighted the importance of the defense sector in elevating Turkey to a determined position on the global stage.
Addressing suggestions from participants in the workshop, Görgün noted various recommendations, including the need for the presidency to transform towards export-oriented policies, strengthening organizational structures, introducing new financing models for exports, initiating focused efforts on NATO countries and tenders, and implementing innovative project and export models such as state-to-state sales and international consortia.
Listing additional recommendations, Görgün mentioned organizing the effective participation of sub-system manufacturers and SMEs in export activities, increasing support for the international participation of the defense industry in exhibitions, establishing an export information management system, and promoting the dual-use of defense industry products in civilian sectors to enhance exports.
Görgün stressed the importance of each suggestion, idea, and opinion, stating that they would work on them individually and take significant and critical steps in the short term. He specified that their first focus would be on export financing, and discussions with the Ministry of Treasury and Finance were ongoing to find new financial resources for long-term export financing.
The second area of focus would be efficiency and synergy, urging the defense industry ecosystem to collaborate and pay attention to avoiding duplicate expenses and image fragmentation. The third aspect involved measuring and rewarding development, with Görgün suggesting adapting international performance indicators and measurements used worldwide for increasing exports.
Highlighting the fourth and most crucial point, Görgün discussed the proposed establishment of a NATO Directorate within the presidency. He stated, “In the short term, we will take organizational steps and shape our structure accordingly. The Directorate will also monitor relations and activities with the European Union, OECD, United Nations, and OCCAR.”
Görgün concluded by expressing confidence that with a strong determination and a sustainable export strategy, they would further strengthen the position of the Turkish defense industry in the global market.
source: aa.com.tr / prepared by Melisa Beğiç