Z. Burak Mercan, CEO of Altınay Defense Technologies, joined the CNBC-e program Ekonomi Sohbetleri to share insights into the company’s 20-year journey, its national engineering capabilities, international collaborations, and export strategies.
Highlighting the remarkable progress Türkiye has made in the defense and aerospace sectors over the past two decades, Mercan emphasized Altınay’s position as a key engineering and technology company developing critical subsystems for land, air, and naval platforms.
From 20 Years of Progress to 35 Years of Expertise
Mercan stated that the foundations of Altınay Defense were laid in the 1990s through advancements in robotic motion control technologies. The company entered the defense sector in 2006 with its first projects.
“Today, we have a broad portfolio that includes flight control systems, landing gears, unmanned systems, and smart release mechanisms for land, sea, and air platforms,” said Mercan.
A Highly Skilled Team of Turkish Engineers
Mercan highlighted that Altınay’s strongest investment has always been in knowledge and competence, powered entirely by Turkish engineering talent.
“Through national aircraft projects, our engineers gained a purpose — a chance to turn theory into practice. The true success lies not only in developing products but also in nurturing the people who can build them.”
New Export Era: From Technology to Knowledge Transfer
Currently, exports account for 6% of Altınay Defense’s total sales. Mercan noted that the company aims to increase this to 20%, with a growing focus on knowledge-based exports:
“Many countries now seek not only the product but also the expertise behind the technology. Türkiye is increasingly seen as a model.”
He also pointed out that the European Union has announced a €850 billion defense budget through 2032, and Türkiye is well-positioned to benefit from this with its robust technical capacity.
Strategic Partnerships: TAAC and DASAL
TAAC: A joint venture with Turkish Aerospace (TUSAŞ), TAAC develops flight control systems, landing gears, and test infrastructures. It also provides engineering exports and technical support to other companies.
DASAL: Specializing in electric rotary-wing unmanned aerial vehicles, DASAL offers a diverse product range from micro UAVs to heavy-duty drones capable of carrying humans. “DASAL is the ‘Tesla of aviation’ in Türkiye,” said Mercan.
Artificial Intelligence in Engineering and Business
Altınay leverages AI technologies in both its products and internal operations. The proprietary Altınay AI System (AYAZ) supports functions like object recognition and mission optimization. The company also uses AI to streamline its internal workflows and enhance productivity.
A Message to Investors: Not a Share Sale, But a Technical Conversion
Addressing a recent Public Disclosure Platform (KAP) notice, Mercan clarified:
“This is not a share sale operation, but a technical transformation. Currently, we have no plans to sell any shares.”
Mercan shared that Altınay achieved $31.5 million in sales in the first nine months of 2025 and is on track to surpass $70 million by year-end.
Long-Term Goal: Entry into the Defense News Top 100
“Our ambition is to be listed among the world’s Top 100 defense companies within the next 8 to 10 years,” said Mercan.
“We aim to achieve this not as a platform manufacturer, but as a world-class developer of critical subsystems.”