Aegean Region is Growing in Defense Industry
Organized by the ESAS Aegean Defence Aerospace Cluster, the CETECH Clean Energy Technologies Fair, which brings together defence industry companies with supplier companies, was held at the Izmir Congress and Exhibition Centre between 18-20 January.
ESAS EXPO 23, organized by ESAS Aegean Defense Aerospace Cluster, brought together defense industry companies with supplier companies. The fair was held together with the CETECH Clean Energy Technologies Fair at Izmir Tepekule Congress and Exhibition Center between January 18-20. It was learned that approximately 6 thousand people visited ESAS EXPO 23 and CETECH Clean Energy Fair, and nearly 70 companies and institutions from both sectors participated. At the fair, suppliers and manufacturers engaged in R&D and production organized business meetings, sector-specific meetings, panels and presentations introducing their products and services.
The first day of ESAS EXPO 23 and CETECH, the opening and "Distinguished Observer Day", was attended by Yavuz Selim Köşger, Governor of Izmir; Serdar Demirel, Vice President of the Presidency for Defense Industries; Pof. Dr. Bedriye Tunçsiper, Rector of Izmir Democracy University; Selami Özpoyraz, Chairman of the Assembly of Izmir Chamber of Commerce; and executives of Defense Industry companies. The second and third days of the fair were mostly business meetings with professionals, and the panel titled "The Place of Academic Studies in the Defense Industry" by Pof. Dr. İskender Gökalp and METU graduate students, who came from France to support the fair in the field of domestic engine and combustion technologies with the TÜBİTAK International Leading Researchers scholarship, attracted attention. The event was hosted by Belma Şahaner, producer and presenter of the "Domestic and National" program on TRT Radio.
In a conversation with Kadir Uçar, President of ESAS, it was learned that the aim of the fair was to enable companies in the Aegean Region related to the Defense Industry to get to know each other on both a regional and national scale and to identify areas where they can cooperate with each other. Mr. Uçar stated that despite the heavy rainfall, Izmir residents showed interest in the fair, that approximately six thousand people visited the fair, and that the fact that the majority of the visitors were young people was pleasing for the defense industry.
As is known, Turkish Defense Industry companies are mostly clustered in Ankara and Istanbul. However, in recent years, there has been an increase in the number of companies in the Aegean Region, particularly in Izmir and Manisa, such as BMC and AKG, which produce final products and components for the defense industry.
In addition, some companies have realized that the products produced in normal commercial life can also be used by soldiers and in combat weapon vehicles and equipment, and have started to invest in this field. ANAFARTA (Akıncı Tekstil), a company producing military textiles and equipment, which attracted attention with its innovative and internationally standardized products, can be given as an example. Therefore, in the coming period, it is foreseen that there will be an increase in the number of companies in the Aegean Region that produce components and main materials directly for the defense industry, as well as companies that will make use of their existing functional areas in the defense industry.
The participation of large companies such as ASELSAN, ROKETSAN and ASPAT, which are the heavyweights of the Turkish defense industry, is very important in terms of increasing the appearance of the fair.
Alternative Regions for Clustering
The Defense Industry can also create a technology transformation for some regions in the Aegean Region. For example, Turgutlu, which has the world's highest quality clay mud, could invest in composite materials (tank armor, insulators, etc.), perhaps with incentives, instead of the brick sector, which has lost its former demand due to the diversification of construction materials. Again, the locations of unused, idle brick factories in this region can be used as alternative land for the Aegean Region defense industry cluster. In this way, agricultural lands, which are very important for ensuring "Food Security", which has now become a national security issue, would also be protected. Turgutlu also has an advantageous position in the employment of defense industry personnel due to its own capacity and its proximity to Izmir and Manisa. This should also be taken into consideration for clustering.
The most interesting face of the fair was the robot dog distributed by Volt Elektric, based in Kemalpaşa.
The members of DASA (Defence and Aerospace Association), of which I am also a member, participated in the fair, including Em. Lieutenant General Alpaslan Erdoğan, Flokser İleri Kimya Teknolojileri A.Ş. General Manager Em. Lieutenant General Mehmet Daysal also participated.
Kadir Uçar, President of ESAS, who took a close interest in the exhibition and provided numerical information about this article, and ESAS Advisory Board Member Retired Maj. Gökhan Gökay Belma Şahaner and İbrahim Özdemir, General Manager of AKG.
In conclusion, this exhibition held in Izmir is important in terms of demonstrating the Aegean Region's interest in the defence industry. However, it is also a fact that there is still a long way to go in this field. The fair has shown us that sales of defense industry products abroad are very important for companies to sustain their commercial lives, and that for this reason, sales to the armed forces of other countries, especially NATO and the UN, and exports are vital.
