In this in-depth interview Dr. Can KASAPOĞLU - Director of Security and Defense Studies Program at the Center for Economics and Foreign Policy Studies (EDAM) discusses complex geopolitical decisions and their significance regarding the Turkish defense industry. He shares his insights on the Russia-Ukraine war, Ukraine’s defense industry’s partnerships in the region, and the stirring waters in the Aegean. EDAM is an Istanbul based independent think-tank with main areas of research focused on foreign policy and security, Türkiye-EU relations, energy and climate change policies, economics and globalization, arms control & non-proliferation, cyber policy. EDAM aims to contribute to the policy making process within and outside Türkiye by producing and disseminating research on the policy areas that are shaping Türkiye’s position within the emerging global order.

by Arda MEVLÜTOĞLU

In this exclusive interview, Dr. Hakkı Murat GENÇ, Deputy Director of Defence Technologies Institute, shares details on the multitude of projects that TÜBİTAK BİLGEM Information Technologies Institute (BTE) has completed, those underway and on the roadmap, many of which are quickening the step toward realizing MİLDEN, the National Submarine Project. With TÜBİTAK’s seasoned expertise in various defense industry fields, they continue to adapt and evolve. The National Heavyweight Torpedo AKYA was recently fired through Türkiye`s domestic and National Integrated Underwater Combat Management System (CMS), MÜREN.

Today, Turkish airpower mainly relies on 4th Generation F-16 Fighting Falcons. The Turkish Air Force (TurAF) currently operates some 20 3+ Generation F-4E 2020s (which were planned to be replaced by F-35As and to be phased out of TurAF service by 2020 but now are expected to remain in service until 2025) and 234 4th Generation F-16C/Ds (TurAF has procured a total of 270 F-16C/Ds in three batches 160 under PO-I [34C and 9D in B30 and 102C and 15 in B40 configuration], 80 under PO-II [68C and 12D in B50 configuration] and 30 under PO-IV [16D and 14C in B50+ configuration] and a total of 38 accidents have been experienced so far. 2 of the F-16s were later repaired and returned to service. So, 234 F-16C/Ds remain in the inventory including 34 x Block 30TMs, 1 x Block 30TM ÖZGÜR Prototype and 29 Block 50M+s) aircraft.