Can you provide a brief history of HAVELSAN Inc.?

Sure, HAVELSAN Inc. was founded in 1982 as a 100% Turkish company and started its operations in Ankara. Over the years, the company has developed many successful international and domestic product lines. In 2004, we established HAVELSAN-USA Inc. in Seattle, Washington, and in 2015, we acquired Quantum 3D, a US-based company specializing in developing and manufacturing real-time visual simulation systems. With this purchase, HAVELSAN has started to be regarded as a US company, which may help it tap into new markets.

Does HAVELSAN plan to increase its work volume of its additional business lines, given the recent announcement of construction of a cyber security center and a contract with Turkish Airlines for the production of simulators?

Yes, software-intensive systems such as training and simulation systems, as well as new emerging technology areas such as cybersecurity, will have great importance to our customers, and we would like to increase our market share in these areas. Globally, cybersecurity can be considered a very promising sector, and we are making significant investments and conducting several research and development (R&D) projects in this area. In regard to the training and simulation market, HAVELSAN is considered a regional leader and competent supplier. The contract with Star Alliance member Turkish Airlines is a big opportunity to expand our business lines to the civil aviation market. By this initiative, we not only reach global customers but also enrich our customer portfolio by adding non-military clients for our high-tech simulation products.

Could you tell us more about the Landing Platform Dock project and HAVELSAN’s role in it, given that Havelsan and Aselsan recently won a contract to work on it?

The Landing Platform Dock project has been the zenith of HAVELSAN’s business line variety. HAVELSAN will be responsible for providing overall combat and electronic systems integration, an evolved combat management system with network-centric warfare capability, integration and building a joint combat management system by integration of air, land, and amphibious C2IS of national and NATO systems, building Link 11, Link 16, Link 22, JREAP, and VMF data link networks with various participants, support for maritime operations other than war, real-time distribution of platform data to sensors, weapons and C2 systems, building information management systems for NATO and national headquarters, and an integrated CCTV system.

We understand that Havelsan’s domestic sales have increased in the last several years while foreign sales have slumped. What is Havelsan’s export and domestic sales strategy?

Our company is a Turkish Armed Forces Foundation institution, and our first aim is to develop and meet the needs of the Turkish Armed Forces. Foreign sales are dependent on diplomatic relations. In this context, all around the world, defense and aviation sectors are supported by government policies. Turkey, as a comparatively new and powerful player, is on a pathway leading to more business deals in the international arena. My vision for HAVELSAN is that there will be three main sources of revenue: foreign market sales, civilian market sales, and defense and security sales, including information and cybersecurity systems.

Havelsan has set an ambitious goal of becoming a global brand and a regional leader in the industry. Looking ahead to the next five years, where do you envision Havelsan’s position in the market?

The year 2023 holds a significant importance for our country, as it marks the 100th anniversary of Turkey’s establishment in 1923. In line with this, our aim is to secure a place among the top 100 defense companies in the world by the end of 2023. We have a comprehensive strategy in place to increase our global presence and to boost our exports, as well as expand our civilian sales in both domestic and international markets. As we anticipate significant technological advancements, we are committed to being a leader in this area, and we are investing heavily in research and development to ensure that we remain at the forefront of innovation.

That’s quite an ambitious goal. Can you tell us more about the steps Havelsan is taking to achieve this objective?

Certainly. We believe that our success lies in our ability to adapt to the ever-changing needs of the market and to consistently deliver high-quality products and services. To achieve our goal, we are focusing on several key areas. First, we are expanding our product portfolio and investing in cutting-edge technologies to meet the demands of our customers. Second, we are strengthening our partnerships with other industry leaders to enhance our global reach and expand our market share. Third, we are prioritizing our R&D efforts to stay ahead of the curve and maintain our technological edge. Finally, we are investing in our workforce and fostering a culture of innovation and excellence to ensure that we have the talent and expertise we need to achieve our objectives.