Defence Turkey: Could we start our interview with a brief introduction to CTech, which was established in 2005 and currently operates in the fields of defence and security, telecommunications, aviation, and space communication technologies? Why was it founded, and what has been achieved in the past 20 years? To what extent have you achieved the goals set at the beginning of this journey?

Cüneyd FIRAT: Of course, with pleasure. First of all, welcome. On January 31, 2025, we will officially complete our 20th anniversary. CTech was established as a venture capital company with the aim of developing indigenous products and solutions in high-technology fields in our country. It began operations at the start of 2005. The company's goal and vision were to become one of the organizations contributing to our country's efforts in value-added production, technological competence, and technology development. At the same time, it sought to expand globally and engage with the international market. This vision remains just as fresh and vibrant today. CTech's vision continues to lead in its fields of activity in Türkiye and establish a strong presence globally. As of today, this vision remains valid. Twenty years ago, when CTech started as an idea and initiative, the conditions in our country, although encouraging for such ventures, were somewhat more challenging than today. Today, we see a much more developed ecosystem. For instance, the number of high-technology projects in our country has significantly increased. However, even back then, there was a notable and significant momentum in general. CTech was established during a period when this momentum was starting to grow. Although we described ourselves at large as a company focused on high technology, prominent fields such as defence, aviation, and space technologies also held a leading position in our foundation.

Defence Turkey: The founders are entirely civilian, correct? You are not a Turkish Armed Forces Foundation company?

Cüneyd FIRAT: Correct. We are a venture capital company established entirely as a private initiative. The company was formed through the collaboration of a group of engineers and an investor. Its purpose and vision are the same as I mentioned earlier. However, when further described, the primary focus of these individuals, given their experience and expertise, as well as the company's vision, was defence, aviation, and space. From the very beginning, however, CTech adopted the principle of not limiting itself solely to the defence sector. Over the years, we have come to see the wisdom in this decision. Both in our country and globally, dual-use applications of these technologies have increasingly emerged and been encouraged. This trend has gained even more momentum in our country as well. Thus, we started with this vision. What began as a small team of a few people has grown into approximately 260 employees today.

Defence Turkey: When did you move here?

Cüneyd FIRAT: We moved to Technopark Istanbul in the first half of 2014. We have been residents here for nearly 10 years. Technopark Istanbul is an excellent center and a great technopark. We are happy to be here. There is a strong synergy, and we plan to continue our work and life here for the foreseeable future.

Defence Turkey: You recently won a significant NATO tender. A considerable number of your products are being utilized by both the Turkish Armed Forces and other security units, and they are also being exported internationally through TUSAŞ. This success has naturally had a positive impact on your revenue and turnover. However, as your workload has increased in parallel, there must be a growing need to expand your production infrastructure and capacity. Are there any plans for facility expansion or the establishment of a new facility in this context?

Cüneyd FIRAT:At the time of our establishment, we were operating out of a villa of approximately 300 m². That was our first office. Over time, there has been consistent growth. I want to emphasize this—CTech is a company that has developed steadily. From a core team and a small-scale foundation, we have grown into a company that now falls into the large category in terms of both team size and turnover. In terms of physical space, we have now reached approximately 5,500 m². These are significant scales, even when considered in the context of our country. And we will continue to grow. Over the past 20 years, we have consistently expanded. There has hardly been a single year when our growth has stalled.

Defence Turkey: Even during COVID?

Cüneyd FIRAT: Yes, including the COVID period. However, we didn't achieve any sudden leaps or jumps. Stability is crucial in this sector because we're talking about high technology. Progress must be steady and deliberate. If you cannot handle that pace, you won't succeed. It's not easy. Over these 20 years, we've gained significant experience. Looking at the bigger picture, we have undertaken and signed off on countless projects, works, and proposals—hundreds of them. All of these have provided us with invaluable experience. We successfully completed numerous projects. Some of these were long-term efforts. For example, as you know, this year, we were part of the TÜRKSAT 6A Communications Satellite project, one of our country's flagship initiatives and platforms. CTech was a member of the consortium of four organizations that designed, manufactured, and successfully launched that satellite into orbit. We're talking about a process that lasted 10 years—or even 12 years if you include the preparation phase. With perseverance, patience, and determination, we reached such an outcome. In a way, it is a historical achievement. Why? Because for the first time, our state, our country, and our nation designed a communications satellite, a GEO satellite we refer to as geostationary. For the first time, we navigated distances exceeding 70,000 kilometers in space. At CTech, we were responsible for the satellite's TCR (Telemetry, Command, and Ranging) subsystem. Among the subsystems of the satellite, it was the smallest, but its critical importance was immense. It was one of the few subsystems that remained operational continuously during and after the satellite's launch. Any failure in this subsystem would have rendered the entire satellite inoperable.

Defence Turkey: Many critical systems on a satellite have backups. Does the satellite's TCR subsystem also have a backup?

Cüneyd FIRAT: Of course, almost all systems were built with backups because this is already a convention in space. Naturally, CTech was responsible for all aspects of this subsystem, including the backups. So, CTech gained two kinds of experience here. As a team, we gained the system engineering experience of working on a large satellite, a communications satellite. Additionally, as CTech, which was responsible for the telemetry, command, and ranging subsystem, we gained experience in subsystem engineering for this component. As a result, all elements of this subsystem, whether primary or backup equipment, were designed and implemented under CTech's responsibility. Thus, we took on long-term projects like this. We also worked on much shorter-term projects, spanning just a few months. However, one of the most important aspects for us was to conduct indigenous work as much as possible.

Almost all of our projects involved CTech's design and R&D capabilities. Of course, in companies like ours or in this field, you do not and cannot do everything on your own, nor should you. However, the level of responsibility for the main design and the degree of originality are crucial. CTech has continued to develop its technical expertise and competence over these 20 years, and today, it has been able to take on significant and critical responsibilities in exceptional systems and projects like TÜRKSAT 6A. In other words, CTech has played a crucial role in a platform that is essentially a source of pride for our nation, and we have successfully fulfilled that role.

Moreover, from the very beginning, we placed great emphasis on institutionalization over these 20 years. We were aware that achieving this vision in this field requires a strong corporate structure. At this point, we have made steady progress in institutionalization, always identifying our deficiencies objectively and keeping our eyes on the horizon and beyond. With the awareness of being a long-term player in a marathon, we have consistently prioritized institutionalization. Today, CTech has reached a noteworthy point in terms of its corporate structure. It now has the competence to offer such high-tech products to the world and to provide the necessary assurance. By assurance, I mean that in today's highly competitive environment, you need to guarantee both technological capability and sustainability. From this perspective, CTech has reached a very significant and commendable position. We have significantly developed our sustainability and supportability, which complement our technological competence. There are two elements to this development: the first is establishing and building the necessary infrastructure, and the second is achieving depth and breadth in engineering. In this context, we have made significant strides over the past 20 years. For example, as you know, the ANKA series of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) have been operating with CTech's SkyARX Satellite Communication Terminals for many years. Looking at the global landscape, SkyARX is among the leading products in terms of flight experience for wideband satellite communication terminals used in aerial platforms. As of today, it has exceeded 300,000 flight hours. Additionally, CTech provides the Turkish Armed Forces with jamming-resistant secure satellite communication modems. These are all outcomes of this maturation process.

"For the Next 10 Years, We Have Plans to Open Overseas Offices and Enter Collaborations with Suitable International Stakeholders!"

Defence Turkey: You will also offer the same expertise to NATO…

Cüneyd FIRAT: Yes, with the same expertise and the results gained from that experience, as you mentioned, we have successfully secured NATO's procurement tender for jamming-resistant secure satellite communication modems. This was the result of a process that started in 2017. CTech has now become a globally recognized brand, having undergone rigorous international competition, extensive scrutiny by NATO, meticulous evaluations of our technological competence, and comprehensive price-performance analyses. These achievements are just a few examples of what we have accomplished over the past 20 years. From the very beginning, CTech's primary focus has been communication technologies, and we will further strengthen and expand our focus in this area. Communication is, of course, a vast field. However, we primarily provide solutions for defence, aviation, space, and government entities, more broadly, to the middle and upper segments where secure and high-quality communication is expected. In other words, we do not produce communication systems for end users in the civilian sector or for everyday personal use. While we are capable of developing such systems, they are not our main focus. Instead, we concentrate on niche applications with high-added value and quality. Over the past two decades, we have also made significant contributions to the telecommunications sector. As you know, telecommunications has been a central focal point for domestic production in Türkiye. On a global scale, advancements such as 5G and other developments have made telecommunications a highly dynamic sector. CTech is the first company in Türkiye to offer locally produced, high-bandwidth radio links to operators.

Defence Turkey: There will be a 5G tender in 2025. Will you be involved in that as well?

Cüneyd FIRAT: Of course, we are closely following the developments. Our radio links are already in use for 4.5G.

Defence Turkey: Are you collaborating with ULAK Communications?

Cüneyd FIRAT: Yes, we are collaborating with ULAK Communications and Turkcell. We also engage with other operators from time to time, submitting proposals when opportunities arise. Let me put it this way—CTech has been an active player in Türkiye's telecommunications sector for years, as well as in other countries where Türkiye's telecom industry operates. Additionally, CTech's products are used as a backbone of communication on some corporate and university campuses. These are examples of dual-use applications. I want to emphasize that these are also high-value applications—far from being generic or ordinary solutions. For instance, we provide the backbone communication infrastructure that carries inter-campus traffic for universities. This demonstrates that CTech is among the pioneers in Türkiye when it comes to niche fields such as defence and aerospace, as well as other sectors requiring high-value and high-quality solutions. This has always been our vision. In recent years, our international operations in these fields have been increasing. While we have been exporting various products and solutions since the 2010s, our overseas sales have grown significantly, particularly in the past 3-4 years. This trend will continue to rise. For example, the NATO contract we secured is already a significant achievement on its own. However, beyond that, this contract has naturally positioned all NATO member countries as potential users of our solutions. 

Defence Turkey: Many NATO member countries have admitted that they are significantly behind Türkiye in electronic warfare technology. Due to its investments in counterterrorism operations and other strategic needs, Türkiye has developed a highly advanced product range and technological infrastructure in electronic warfare. As you mentioned, electronic warfare and secure, resilient communication technologies will be of great interest to them. This success will surely open many doors for you.

Cüneyd FIRAT: I completely agree. We see this very clearly. In every country we visit, we are not only taken seriously but also invited to submit proposals.

Defence Turkey: After all, it's a product that has proven itself with the Turkish Armed Forces and has been accepted by NATO.

Cüneyd FIRAT: Absolutely, this is highly significant. And it's not just about the product itself—it's about the company's reliability, its capacity, and its competence. As I mentioned earlier, we are a company that has successfully carried a critical responsibility in high-profile projects like NATO programs or the TÜRKSAT 6A satellite. We often highlight this point: CTech became the first company in Türkiye's history to establish communication beyond 70,000 km. During its journey to orbit, the TÜRKSAT 6A Communications Satellite traveled as far as 71,000 km from Earth, and during this process, communication was maintained…

Defence Turkey: And was this communication carried through with your product?

Cüneyd FIRAT: Of course. It was transmitted via telemetry.

Defence Turkey: Was the communication encrypted at that stage, or was it unprotected? Encryption usually reduces range.

Cüneyd FIRAT: Yes, as you know, space technology operates at a much higher level than other technologies. Special measures are taken for this, and the designs are made accordingly. Naturally, encryption protections were in place—after all, we are talking about the satellite's control communications, which is highly critical. If it were left unprotected and accessible to everyone, it would pose a significant risk. Therefore, it must be secured. For example, television broadcasts might not need such high-level protection since they are already public. However control communications are solely under the authority of the operator, in this case, TÜRKSAT in Türkiye.

Defence Turkey: By broadcasting a counter signal, a satellite could be redirected from its intended X position to an unintended Y position.

Cüneyd FIRAT: Absolutely, this is a critical issue. Satellites, as you know, are strategic assets, and their protection is of utmost Importance. In this regard, CTech has built an impressive track record over the past 20 years, serving as a strong indicator of its expertise in this field. For instance, we are the first and, currently, the only company in Türkiye to develop a helicopter satellite communication system. Additionally, we have achieved the necessary technological standards in satellite communications and hold the broadest range of solutions and products in Türkiye.

Defence Turkey: In SATCOM communications, there are narrowband and broadband systems. Some antennas are dish-type, while others have a rectangular shape. Do you have any ongoing projects related to phased-array SATCOM antennas?

Cüneyd FIRAT: The dish antenna is the most widely used type. The alternative—phased-array SATCOM antennas—is in high demand but has not been widely adopted due to technological constraints. There are various types of antennas. Phased-array technology enables electronic beam steering. However, there are also hybrid models, where some parts operate with mechanical scanning while others use electronic scanning. These antennas, commonly referred to as "conformal" antennas in English, are designed to integrate seamlessly into the platform's body with minimal protrusion. However, the challenge lies in performance. Ensuring high performance often requires large antennas, which take up significant physical space and add considerable weight. For example, in a commercial aircraft, using such an antenna is feasible because the aircraft is large, and installing a 50-kilogram antenna is not a major issue. However, you cannot mount the same 50-kilogram antenna on a fighter jet or an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) while expecting the same level of performance. In fact, even for many military aircraft, integrating such an antenna could be problematic due to weight constraints and existing mission payloads. Beyond weight concerns, there are additional challenges in aviation. These antennas must not interfere with other onboard systems, which adds another layer of complexity. As a result, their use is generally limited to specific segments. Additionally, cost is a significant factor. In commercial aviation, the financial and business model considerations allow for the integration of such antennas. However, when it comes to UAVs, the budget constraints often make it unfeasible. In summary, there are numerous limitations to their widespread adoption.

Defence Turkey: As a company that produces dish-type SATCOM antennas, will phased-array SATCOM antennas also be included in your product lineup?

Cüneyd FIRAT: Yes, we provide such solutions.

Defence Turkey: Because there's another dimension to this—if I'm not mistaken, SATCOM is used in the KARGI and the long-range GEZGİN cruise missile. However, instead of dish-type antennas, phased-array antennas are being used or will be used.

Cüneyd FIRAT: Yes, it will be narrowband. Therefore, we already offer solutions tailored to those applications. My point was that most satellite communication systems you see around still operate with dish antennas. The reason for this is precisely the constraints we discussed earlier. When you consider all these limitations, the most optimal solution remains the dish-type antenna. However, as you mentioned, on a missile platform or a very small platform, a dish antenna is simply not an option.

Defence Turkey: Will you be involved in the SATCOM system for KAAN?

Cüneyd FIRAT: We are not involved in the SATCOM system for KAAN. However, we do provide independent communication solutions for platforms such as the F-16, HÜRJET, and HÜRKUŞ.

Defence Turkey: Is it still a dish-type antenna, or is it conformal?

Cüneyd FIRAT: It's not a dish-type because it operates in a narrowband. We have a product called TrackARX. This product is a compact unit that combines a narrowband, L-band satellite communication system with GSM, designed to transmit the pilot's voice and a very limited amount of tactical data. We offer both functionalities in a single box, making it a highly practical solution.

Defence Turkey: Does it include encryption?

Cüneyd FIRAT: Of course, encryption systems are always integrated. However, in most of our applications, encryption is handled externally—meaning the data that comes to our device is already encrypted. We then transmit it as is. We have projects providing satellite communication for helicopters and are also involved in various other aerial platforms. Additionally, we support modernization efforts. For instance, a country in Asia selected CTech's satellite terminals and satellite modems for the maritime patrol aircraft it procured from Leonardo.

Defence Turkey: Is it a dish-type antenna or a conformal one?

Cüneyd FIRAT: In this case, we are only providing the modems. The aircraft already has a pre-integrated antenna system. However, looking ahead, there could be opportunities related to antennas as well. We are discussing those possibilities, but the key point here is that an international preference has been made, and CTech's Satellite Communication Devices are now being integrated into Leonardo's aircraft. This is a very significant reference for us. Additionally, we have solution partnership agreements with some of the world's leading satellite operators. To explain this, these operators own a large number of satellites and provide their capacities to various users across different regions worldwide. However, particularly for military, governmental, or similar mission-specific applications, customers often request not only satellite capacity but also the technical solution required to utilize it. What does this mean? They also need satellite terminals that will work with these satellites. For satellite operators to provide these solutions, they must ensure compatibility and certify that the terminals work seamlessly with their satellites. In recent years, CTech has become one of the companies sought after in this field and has started collaborating with satellite operators...

Defence Turkey: Both civilian and military?

Cüneyd FIRAT: Of course. This is very valuable for us. These are actually examples of becoming a global player. Our efforts will increase in the coming years. I also want to emphasize that, naturally, we are talking about a company that was born and grew in our country and is now expanding worldwide. The working environment in our country has shaped an approach where we develop solutions tailored to the state's needs under specific conditions. I call this a "tailor-made" approach. This is natural; given the conditions here, we have to work in this way.

CTech is evolving from this tailor-made approach to a more competitive, product-oriented direction. We have been focusing on this for the past 7-8 years. While the technological work remains the same, the way we approach the subject changes. In the tailor-made model, the user tells you exactly what they need, even down to the smallest details. You complete the product based on these specifications without focusing much on competitiveness. The customer is already defined from the beginning, and commercial conditions are already agreed upon. However, a product-oriented approach is market-focused. The most important concept in market focus is competitiveness. Competitiveness has two main aspects. First, the product you present must be comparable to competitors in terms of technical capabilities and technological status. Pricing comes afterward. If your product has an advantage, it may still be preferred even at a higher price—especially if that advantage is critical for the user. In such cases, you could become the sole choice. Thus, the most crucial aspect of competition, which we have recognized as a company, is technological capability.

But if you own such a product today, you must continue the race to stay relevant. We're talking about high technology, where giant global corporations invest heavily, and developments happen rapidly.

Defence Turkey: If a roadmap had been laid out for the SATCOM antenna needs for military and security applications over the next 10 years, wouldn't it have been more attractive for companies to invest in new technologies like AESA?

Cüneyd FIRAT: Definitely. What you mentioned is valuable. But we do not wait for someone to tell us this. This is exactly where market analysis and foresight come in. Predicting markets in defence, aviation, and similar sectors is not easy; they are deep and complex fields. However, companies competing in the product race must closely analyze the market, be highly attentive, and derive potential market estimates. This requires deep thought.

For instance, let's say there are 5,000 units of a particular platform worldwide. But if you're selling in the defence sector, politics comes into play, existing suppliers are already established, and if you're new, how will you break into the market? You can't just say, "I made the product; now I'll sell it." However, we must enter these cycles. To do so, we need to examine the details thoroughly. That's the point—where are the gaps? Where are the areas with potential?

This is generally known as Product Management. One of its key functions, especially at the beginning, is market analysis, which consists of two main aspects: competitor analysis and competition analysis. Competitor analysis involves understanding who your competitors are, their history, and their current position.

We're talking about high-level competition, not just local competition. That's why CTech has developed a structured approach to this, and the mechanisms are in place. However, we need to shift into a higher gear. The most crucial element here is to develop example products that can serve as benchmarks, even before we receive an order or a direct request. This is our vision.

We are highly motivated to move in this direction, and it is a realistic goal for us. Why? If you look at the examples I provided earlier, it shows that we are already at a significant point globally. But we need to climb higher in this race. And by climbing higher, I don't just mean focusing more—I mean improving ourselves. We need to strengthen our capabilities in this field.

Defence Turkey: Can you tell us about CTech's current organizational structure, personnel situation, performance in the first nine months of 2024, and your expectations and goals for 2025, when you will celebrate your 21st anniversary?

Cüneyd FIRAT: Various analyses have been conducted on CTech, including independent evaluations. The findings indicate that two-thirds of CTech's 20-year history has been spent developing infrastructure, conducting intensive R&D—which will never end but has had phases of high intensity—and accumulating experience. This has started to bear fruit.

We can see this clearly through our expanding product portfolio and growing customer base. For example, over the past two years, significant progress has been made in the area of unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) in Türkiye. This is great, and we are poised to be among the global leaders. Around 80-90% of Türkiye's USVs use CTech's satellite communication solutions. This was not tailor-made. Our products were already proven, and they were chosen because they were good.

Defence Turkey: Are you present on METEKSAN's ULAQ Armed Unmanned Surface Vehicle?

Cüneyd FIRAT: Yes, we are.

Defence Turkey: Are you involved in exports to Qatar?

Cüneyd FIRAT: We are in discussions. Of course, it depends on Qatar's preference and customer selection. But we are part of the complete configuration package, and all necessary steps have been taken. Similarly, around 70% of Unmanned Ground Vehicles (UGVs) in Türkiye use CTech's line-of-sight communication products. We have also started international sales.

This confirms what we have been observing over the past 5-7 years—our accumulated infrastructure and experience are now yielding results. These results are leading to new projects and customers, and CTech is currently in a growth phase. In business literature, this phase is called the "growth phase" or even "take-off." We have accelerated on the runway and are now airborne.

Defence Turkey: In this take-off phase, do you have plans for a new factory or expanding production areas? And will this require additional engineers?

Cüneyd FIRAT: We have already expanded our physical space to around 5,500 m². Additionally, we increased our production area by approximately 700 m² just two months ago.

Defence Turkey: Was this at your current location or a different site?

Cüneyd FIRAT: It's nearby.

Defence Turkey: The materials and raw materials you deal with are expensive, and sometimes, even if you have the money, they are not available.

Cüneyd FIRAT: Exactly. Plus, there are lead times. From collecting orders to manufacturing and delivering a product, it takes months. As you know, these are not products that you can stock in large quantities and keep on shelves every day. They are all costly products. You cannot afford to significantly increase your stock costs. All of this requires precise calculations. Even the world's largest companies operate in the same way. No one in this industry works with large inventories. In fact, due to the nature of the products, you should not keep them in stock. Technology is constantly evolving, and there are also shelf-life considerations. These are critical systems, and you wouldn't want to waste the lifespan of components by keeping them in storage. Therefore, this is a sector where serious optimization is required.

This is a long-term marathon. And in a marathon, you avoid sudden accelerations. The road is long. That's why we carefully plan our investments. We've always operated this way for the past 20 years. We prepare our budgets meticulously and always look ahead. That's also why we aim to expand our team in a measured and strategic manner.

Defence Turkey: As you mentioned earlier, you are engaged in both military and civilian production. The defence sector, as you said, is a long-term industry where payments are not immediate…

Cüneyd FIRAT: Production takes time, and so does R&D.

Defence Turkey: Many companies also engage in civilian production as a backup plan in case the defence sector faces difficulties, ensuring continuous cash flow. You also have products for the civilian market. What percentage of your revenue comes from civilian sales? Do you have data on the share of civilian versus military sales in your total revenue?

Cüneyd FIRAT: Civilian sales account for approximately 15-20% of CTech's revenue, on average. Of course, we would like to increase this share, but at the same time, as I mentioned earlier, we want to stay focused. We do not intend to enter highly retail-oriented markets. It's all about maintaining balance.

Defence Turkey: Some companies follow a certain strategy—though I'm not a company owner or an executive, so I don't know if this is cost-effective—but for example, while the main company focuses on military products, they establish a smaller sister company for civilian production. Would such a structure be cost-effective in maintaining focus?

Cüneyd FIRAT: It could be. But first, you need to have a clear and thorough understanding of the market…

"Over the Next Decade, We Aim to Add a Minimum of 2-3 New Countries and Clients to Our Portfolio Annually!"

Defence Turkey: For example, in October, we visited Allison's factory in Hungary. Normally, the factory carries out the final assembly of four main types of transmissions—two military and two civilian. However, depending on customer needs, the factory can deliver more than 300 customized versions of a single transmission.

Cüneyd FIRAT: That is possible, but we cannot significantly alter the core structure here. Within the existing framework, we also aim to increase this diversity in the coming years. However, there are also lower-segment applications in satellite communications. For instance, civilian commercial ships. Companies in this sector produce tens of thousands of products annually. However, the nature of these products is different. We do not aim to enter that market because it requires mass production, and you cannot simply modify and reintroduce the same product. Our products are high-quality, so their cost structure is different, and the market is already quite saturated.

If we redefine CTech's focus in the field of communication systems, we can primarily say that we develop solutions for various mission platforms. These include unmanned aerial vehicles, unmanned surface vessels, helicopters, manned mission aircraft, special mission aircraft, and land vehicles—covering both military and civilian platforms. For example, satellite communications serve as an excellent example of dual-use technology. Our solutions, which are capable of working with UAVs, are among the best illustrations of this. As you know, following the Kahramanmaraş earthquakes, a base station was placed on the AKSUNGUR Unmanned Aerial Vehicle. While the base station was frequently mentioned, communication was actually provided via satellite, making this system critically important. The base station on the UAV transmitted the collected data to the ground through our satellite communication system. As a result, the data gathered by this base station was naturally integrated into the operator's backbone network.

Additionally, satellite communication-supported manned and unmanned systems play a role in combating forest fires. In this regard, one of the opportunities we are working on is offering our solutions to the Ministry of Forestry's inventory. If you notice, all these applications are mobile, meaning they are focused on mobile communication. We are currently discussing this matter with the Ministry of Forestry. Consequently, we provide uninterrupted and high-quality communication solutions tailored to missions and specific needs, including mobile communication, broadband communication, and wireless communication.

CTech has become one of the pioneers in this field in Türkiye. We can clearly state this. In the Turkish market, we are among the few organizations that come to mind first and are approached when such needs arise. We hold a leading position in satellite communication. Our user base worldwide is also growing. For example, considering our past and present sales, CTech products are now actively used in approximately 15 countries.

Defence Turkey: In 15 countries excluding Türkiye?

Cüneyd FIRAT: Yes, and that number is increasing. Supplying NATO is already a significant achievement in itself. The secure, anti-jamming satellite modem we call SecureARX, developed under our contract with NATO, has the potential to be offered to all NATO countries as it ensures interoperability. The fact that NATO has accepted such a product serves as a benchmark for other NATO members and some non-NATO countries as well. It provides field experience and acts as a reference. As a result, our presence in the market is growing. Our vision for moving forward is to expand our global market position further. That is our perspective.

Defence Turkey: The TÜRKSAT 6A Project, as you just mentioned, took 12 years. Did you make a profit there? Because it lasted longer than planned. Did it remain a prestige project for you, or was it also financially beneficial?

Cüneyd FIRAT: As you know, it was a project conducted under TÜBİTAK's KAMAG program. KAMAG operates on a cost-based model, which was accepted by all parties from the outset. Therefore, profit was not part of the model. So, we did not make a profit. In fact, due to the nature of the project, we even covered some of the costs ourselves. However, participating in this project was a visionary step. It positioned CTech as one of the very few players in Türkiye working in the space domain. Secondly, it established us as a potential global player. But above all, we gained significant engineering capabilities and infrastructure.

Defence Turkey: Did your experience with TÜRKSAT 6A open new doors for you in satellite communication projects or in new Earth observation satellite projects like the GÖKTÜRK and İMECE series?

Cüneyd FIRAT: It did—even before the project was completed. CTech has started participating in the GÖKTÜRK Renewal Project. We have also become involved in TUSAŞ's Small-GEO platform. We are not part of GÖKTÜRK-3 because it was decided that the telemetry system previously used in İMECE would be used again, and that system was developed by TÜBİTAK UZAY. Additionally, our frequency bands differ. Currently, in Türkiye, CTech operates in KA-Band and KU-Band telemetry. Therefore, we are a key contender for satellites using these bands. However, we are also pushing into the global market, and we have various opportunities and initiatives in that regard.

Defence Turkey: As far as I know, TÜBİTAK has sold an improved version of the EO camera used in the İMECE satellite to Pakistan. Are you in discussions with Pakistan or other allied and friendly countries regarding satellite projects?

Cüneyd FIRAT: Yes, we are in discussions. Our collaborations with model satellite manufacturers will generate revenue for us.

Defence Turkey: TUSAŞ is also exporting a next-generation communication satellite to Argentina…

Cüneyd FIRAT: We were involved in that as well. Thanks to that, CTech has become a key player in several different projects. We aim to expand further…

Defence Turkey: Returning to the NATO project, you competed in and won the NATO Communications and Information Agency (NCIA) tender for Electronic Protective Measure Systems (EPMS) under the SATCOM Ground Segment of the Satellite Communication Transmission Services Capability Package. Could you briefly summarize the technical specifications of the SecureARX product you will be delivering under this contract and the NATO tender process for our readers?

Cüneyd FIRAT: Let me put it this way: First and foremost, CTech possesses this technology and is one of the few companies in the world currently offering it to the global market. This is extremely valuable. What does this mean? It naturally positions us as a niche alternative. If you ask which markets we are targeting, the answer is nearly every country in the world—CTech has a market presence in this domain.

Defence Turkey: Since this is a military product, you must obtain pre-sale approvals from the Ministry of National Defence, correct?

Cüneyd FIRAT: Of course, approval is required.

Defence Turkey: Do you receive restrictions on which countries you can sell to?

Cüneyd FIRAT: Here's how we approach it: Whenever we identify a concrete opportunity in a market, we immediately apply for the necessary export permits from the Ministry of National Defence. Given Türkiye's export policies, only a small number of countries are off-limits. There are 192 countries in the world, and we can potentially engage with over 100 of them. Why? Because strategic communication is a fundamental need independent of a country's economic status. We are talking about critical communications. The use of satellites has become widespread and more accessible in many countries. Since we are one of the few companies capable of offering products and solutions in this field, we will increase our marketing activities, strengthen our communication and business development efforts, and pursue new opportunities. As mentioned earlier, NATO serves as a strong reference, which helps us introduce our solutions to various countries.

Defence Turkey: When will NATO deliveries begin, and how long will they continue?

Cüneyd FIRAT: Our first delivery will take place in 2025. Subsequent deliveries will follow according to the schedule.

Defence Turkey: Will your product be used only at NATO headquarters, or will it also be deployed at NATO bases and positions in member states, similar to its presence in Türkiye?

Cüneyd FIRAT: It will be integrated into NATO's organizational structure—not just at headquarters but also at various NATO satellite control centers and operational units participating in NATO missions across multiple countries. Naturally, we will actively market the product to NATO member states as well.

Defence Turkey: Could you share CTech's vision, goals, and expectations for the next 10 years with our readers? Within this decade-long vision, do you foresee establishing offices in key target markets outside of Türkiye, such as Indonesia and Malaysia, for the ANKA program or European countries for the NATO project? Additionally, considering that the systems you will supply to NATO are electronic devices that will inevitably require maintenance over time, do you have any plans to establish a maintenance, repair, and operations facility in Europe? Would this involve collaborating with a local firm or a military organization to set up a joint venture, or is an independent facility more likely?

Cüneyd FIRAT: Absolutely; for the next 10 years, we have plans to both open international offices and engage in certain collaborations with overseas stakeholders that align with our vision. Our goal is to add at least 2–3 new countries and new customers to our portfolio each year over the next decade. These could be through direct sales or via the international sales of platforms we are already part of in Türkiye. Once our communication systems start being used, they become an integral part of the existing network, embedding themselves within the infrastructure. This, in turn, creates a preference for our solutions. How does this happen? Because once they experience our systems, we naturally become a viable alternative for them. Thus, CTech will grow through both organic and inorganic expansion, and hopefully, this will be reflected in our revenue. However, we will always be measured when it comes to increasing our team size. As you may have noticed, I have emphasized focus from the very beginning. We will grow by focusing. Focus means enhancing reusability, leveraging past experience, adapting previous products to meet new needs (customization), conducting highly concentrated technological research, and developing new technologies.

Defence Turkey: Mr. Cüneyd, we sincerely appreciate the time you have taken to share your insights with us. We wish you and your team continued success in all your endeavors