Provocative Thoughts, New Horizons (4)

Destroyed Prejudices Ruined? Or Is It Standing In Another Kind?

There is a phrase we have heard quite often in recent years. "The world will no longer be the same." Sometimes a technological development like Metaverse, sometimes a military development like the Ukraine War. But the sentence used in different fields is the same. Maybe because the expectations, hopes, frustrations, successes and failures are the same. But the expectations for change are common. In fact, these expectations are so deep that they can sometimes even have the quality of an invocation or a prayer.

Changing German Perspective on Armament:

The same is true for the Russia-Ukraine war. In this context, one of the numerous external changes we encounter is of great interest to us: Germany. Since the Second World War, it is a country that has a cold attitude towards militarization, is far from armament and armed ambitions, has principles and believes in the rule of law. For the first time, it's shipping "lethal military equipment" to a country at war. It also doubles the defense budget of 50 billion Euros in one move. A clear process of change in German military policies and armaments programs has begun.

But you know that this country has been in the news for many years, despite spending 50 billion Euros a year, with its spilled equipment, insufficient personnel and low combat readiness rate. So the question arises: Will this process of change really reveal something of significance and significance? Or will it just be a continuation of the same things by wearing new clothes?

Frankly, I believe that the answer we will encounter in the future will be a combination of these two possibilities. While a significant portion of the expanding military budget will erode on matters of no significance, there will also be some rational and sensible military armament programs. If I wanted to write my predictions on this matter, I would have to write a separate and long article. But I just want to share the issues that can interest our country and make a profit.

Possible Gain Areas:

In this regard, I consider that there are three main areas of expansion.

1. Submarine and surface (navy) combat platforms of various weights.
2. Armored ground vehicles and tank systems.
3. Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (focus of my article).

Those who follow world defense will notice that armed drones are out of the question for the Germans. Because the brutal atrocities committed by the American Predators in many parts of the world keep this country away from a similar weapon system in terms of morale. In fact, in many unmanned aerial vehicles under development across Europe, Germany's involvement can only be achieved "on the condition that it is not armed".

Turkish armed UAVs:

For this reason, the achievements of our country on the Azerbaijani front with Bayraktar TB-2s have spawned the most extreme emotional and sharp reactions in this geography. However, the same performance of the same platform on the Ukrainian side will now force all decision makers at the level of the armed forces and the state to think again. Is this political stance that ignores armed drones sustainable? Could it make sense?

What Is The Perspective Of German UAVs?

I am of the opinion that the German mind will change in this regard. After this change, there will be three and a half alternatives.

Procuring the systems in question from the USA in the most expensive way.
Procuring the systems in question from Israel (which has deep-rooted capabilities even from us).
Aiming to reach some systems in time, which will be created nationally or to be participated in within the framework of the European Joint Military Programs.
To build a common working framework with Turkey. I would like to draw attention to the importance of going with a logical proposal within the scope of this article.

If I wanted to offer a logical proposal that would lie in the German mind and habits, I would draw the following framework:

Step 1:

First of all, buy Baykar Bayraktar TB-2 systems, which are already in the inventory of Poland and Ukraine, and become familiar with the use of these systems in the modern military battlefield. In the case of fleets, each of which will consist of 6 platforms and 3 ground control stations, the purchase of 4 fleets with 2 definite and 2 options will be sufficient. In this context, a large number of training ammunition will also be included in the purchase. In addition, it should be left open for the German Armed Forces to transfer these systems to another country in the future. In this way, they can have a weapon system that will strengthen the armies of other European allies in the future. This framework will provide political convenience to the subject.

Step 2:

There are two different families of unmanned aerial vehicles developed by Baykar and TAI in our country. The Germans may be offered a partnership to develop a third and third family of unmanned aircraft with all IP (Intellectual Property) rights. At this point, the important point is this: The ammunition use of the new vehicle family in question is completely "Block". 

Chain Based" will be provided with a reliable authorization chain. This ammunition authorization system, which will have multiple forms and levels, will have the flexibility to be extended to civilian decision makers if necessary. In this way, the German army will be paved with a completely safe and ethical infrastructure.

Step 3:

The joint development of a common jet-powered unmanned combat platform in the form of a Virtual Wingman (Loyal Wingman) or Unmanned Combat Aircraft (MIUS) can be envisioned. Of course, in this context, common IP rights should be in question. At this stage, the important point should be: To create a platform family that can perform joint operations with all current and future aircraft, with an open architecture structure and compliance with NATO standards, again with a blockchain-based and secure authorization. While doing this, to stay away from all kinds of complexity, slowness and high cost of the "Common European Programs". In this way, to lay the foundation of a more developed and fully dominated national system based on Turkey's knowledge and experience.

Conclusion:

As part of the last two steps, shared IP will be added to the ownership, "Sale and transfer of this system to a third country will not be possible unless both countries agree." With the article, we need to eliminate the worry that our country can make an unconditional and unrestricted profit on the German mind and labor. Our country already has its own vehicle family and development schedule (road map for the future). Therefore, while such an initiative will expand our sphere of influence in Europe, it will not pose a threat to our national programs.

Frankly, within the framework of the new undisclosed sales, Germany may have already become a customer of the TB-2 and Akıncı. While this is possible, we should ask ourselves the question: Do we just want a new customer? Or can we derive a much more maximized benefit from this process? I am of the opinion that this work can be accomplished with a correctly formed offer and a presentation in which sensitivities are taken into account.