Altınay Defense Technologies Strengthens Türkiye’s Strategic Defense Platforms with Indigenous Solutions
29.03.2024Altınay Defense Technologies, a leading subcontractor in the Turkish defense industry, continues to reduce foreign dependency and enhance operational capabilities by developing indigenous systems for key platforms such as the National Combat Aircraft KAAN, the TCG İstanbul frigate, and various other critical defense assets.
“This success is built on a determined vision and long-term strategy”
Hakan Altınay, Chairman of Altınay Technology Group, emphasized the role of strategic vision in Türkiye’s defense progress over the past two decades:
“Türkiye has become a country that not only develops but also mass-produces its own technology. Our unmanned aerial vehicles have played a decisive role in shaping outcomes on the battlefield. As Altınay, we are proud to be a part of this transformation. With over 30 years of experience in motion control and precision mechanics, we’ve accumulated more than 10 million hours of R&D and employ over 1,000 people.”
Indigenous Systems for KAAN and TCG İstanbul
Through its joint venture TAAC with TUSAŞ, Altınay develops flight control actuators and landing gear systems for the KAAN National Combat Aircraft. TAAC has also developed the Iron Bird Test System—a ground-based flight simulation platform typically found only in countries that manufacture aircraft.
On the naval front, Altınay’s Kuşkapanı Helicopter Capture System has been successfully integrated into the TCG İstanbul frigate. Regarding this achievement, Hakan Altınay noted:
“Until just a few years ago, we relied on foreign suppliers for such systems. Due to export restrictions, we had to act quickly and developed Kuşkapanı in just two years. It is now actively in use on our national frigate, and we are proud to contribute with a fully domestic solution.”
Türkiye’s Widest Range of Indigenous UAV Platforms
Altınay also collaborates with ASELSAN through their joint venture DASAL Aerospace, which has developed a family of 12 different UAV platforms, ranging from micro to heavy class. These UAVs are deployed both in domestic operations and as part of Türkiye’s defense export initiatives.
“We have led NATO-level projects in smart munition systems”
Hakan Altınay recalled the company’s entry into defense through a NATO-led smart munition dismantling project in 2006, saying:
“We developed unmanned systems capable of dismantling and sorting various types of munitions. This initiative resulted in the largest smart munition technologies infrastructure NATO has seen—developed right here in Türkiye.”
Expanding Capacity with a New Production Facility
Altınay Defense Technologies is boosting its production capacity with a new 13,000 m² manufacturing facility in Dilovası, Kocaeli, scheduled to become operational soon. Hakan Altınay shared insights about the investment:
“We will now produce our own electronic circuit boards in-house. This facility, which we began constructing in 2023, will significantly enhance our production capabilities and create around 100 new jobs.”