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Major Deals and Defense Products at IDEF-23

IRIA Staff - August 2, 2023





IDEF 2023 - Showcasing cutting-edge defense innovations in Istanbul

The 16th International Defense Industry Fair (IDEF) held in Istanbul, Turkey, showcased an impressive array of state-of-the-art defense products, and innovative land, air, and sea systems, as well as next-generation weapon system and technologies. The four-day event (July 25 to 28, 2023) saw the participation of prestigious defense companies from around the world, attracting thousands of participants.

Since its establishment in 1993 with the support of Turkey’s Ministry of National Defense, IDEF has become a major platform for Turkish companies to unveil their latest products and sign major defense deals with local and international customers.

With Turkey’s defense production industry experiencing an unprecedented growth surge, IDEF has solidified its position as the fourth-largest defense industry exhibition in the world. Around 1,500 companies from 55 countries participated in IDEF 2023.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan observing military equipment at IDEF-23. (Image Credit: Twitter/@RTErdogan)

According to Turkey’s Defense Ministry, official delegations from 81 different countries visited the exhibition while some 60,000 participants from 102 countries visited the fair this year. On the first day of the event, Turkey’s National Defense Minister Yasar Guler engages in a meeting with his Tajikistan counterpart General Sherali Mirzo. The two ministers signed a military and financial cooperation agreement and a protocol on financial aid between the two countries.

IRIA has compiled a list of major defense deals and some key events that took place during the 16th International Defense Industry Fair.


China and UAE among the largest foreign exhibitors at IDEF

Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI), Airbus, Lockheed Martin, Raytheon Technologies, and Turkey’s Baykar Technologies and Roketsan were some of the major companies among the 1,500 domestic and foreign companies participating in the IDEF 2023.

With Turkey’s negotiations to procure more F-16 fighter jets and upgradation kits seeing substantial success in recent times, the U.S.-based defense giant, Lockheed Martin returned to the IDEF after a long time and displayed a scale model of the F-16 jet with the Turkish flag at the exhibition.

The UAE Emirates Defense Companies Council booth at the IDEF 23. (Image Credit: EDCC/Twitter)

China was the largest international exhibitor at the event with 75 different companies. At least 15 different companies from the United Arab Emirates participated in the fair including Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company (ADNEC).

British defense giant BAE Systems, France’s Dassault Aviation, Italy's aerospace and defense firm Leonardo, Spanish state-run ship maker Navantia, and British engine manufacturer Rolls Royce also displayed their equipment. The exhibition also included pavilions from Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Azerbaijan, among other countries.

Pakistan's largest defense firm Global Industrial & Defence Solutions also showcased a wide range of their latest defense equipment at the exhibition, including Shahar-II (Block-II) unmanned aerial vehicle, Harbah-NG cruise missile, Taimoor air launch cruise missile, and rocket-assisted laser-guided projectile TIPU weapon system. GIDS’ CEO Asad Kamal signed an agreement with Turkish Aerospace for defense cooperation and wind tunnel testing. The agreement aims to jointly develop advanced systems and enhance Pakistan's indigenous capabilities.

Shahpar-II Block II medium altitude, long endurance unmanned aircraft. (Image Credit: GIDS)


Turkey-Azerbaijan defense cooperation

The Ministry of Defense Industry of Azerbaijan exhibited almost 131 Azerbaijan-manufactured defense products. These included various types of small arms, close combat weapons, mortars, ammunition of various calibers, and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

Azerbaijan’s Defense Minister Colonel General Zakir Hasanov, the Chief of State Security Service of the Republic of Azerbaijan Colonel General Ali Naghiyev, and other officials attended the exhibition where they were given a briefing on the latest weapons, vehicles, and military equipment by the Turkish defense firms Roketsan, Aselsan, and other defense companies.

Azerbaijan defense officials also held a meeting with the Turkish Minister of National Defense Yasar Guler. The two sides discussed cooperation in military, military-technical, military-educational, military-medical, and other spheres and further development in the defense domain.

The two sides also agreed on working together for the development of Turkey’s first indigenously produced 5th generation fighter jet TF-X Kaan. A bilateral contract was signed to develop a framework for cooperation. According to a Turkish defense official, Ukraine may also join the project in the future.

Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Defense also signed a contract with Turkish Aerospace Industries to upgrade its Sukhoi Su-25 ground attack aircraft. Under the contract, TAI would assist in modernizing Azerbaijan’s fleet of Su-25 jets and equip the jets with Turkish-made smart bombs and missiles. The Azerbaijani Ministry of Defense said in its statement that “The main purpose of signing the contract is the integration of Turkish-made smart bombs and missiles into the aircraft used by the Azerbaijan Air Force and the implementation of modernization activities for their avionics”.

Azerbaijan Defense Ministry and Turkish Aerospace Industries (TUSAS) signed Su-25 modernization project contract on July 26, 203, at International Defense Industry Fair (IDEF) in Istanbul, Turkiye. (Image Credit: Azerbaijan Defense Ministry)


UAE-based company seals defense, aerospace deal with Turkish firm

IDEF’23 paved the way to connect small-scale defense manufacturing companies, especially from Middle Eastern, South Asian, and African regions. Major defense deals were signed between Turkish and Middle Eastern defense companies over the course of the exhibition.

An Abu Dhabi-based tactical gear manufacturer company, Black Cobra Military Supplies (BCMS), signed an agreement with Turkey’s Ankara-based Ostim Defense and Aerospace Cluster (OSSA) for cooperation in innovation in the defense and aerospace sectors. The UAE’s Emirates Defense Companies Council (EDCC) backed the deal.

Chief executive officer of the Black Cobra Military Supplies Ali Al Mannaee said that “This partnership represents a significant step forward for both our organizations, allowing us to leverage each other's expertise and resources to drive innovation and growth in the defense sector.” Ibrahim Yarsan, Chairman of the Board of OSSA said that the partnership with Black Cobra Military Supplies “will open up new possibilities for advancements in defense technology.”


Turkey’s Roketsan displays new products at IDEF’23

Turkey’s leading defense manufacturer, Roketsan, displayed one of the largest collections of its upcoming products. Roketsan showcased more than 30 new products at the IDEF’23 including its latest Burc mobile air defense system (MADS) which has been integrated with the Turkish-made FNSS Pars 8x8 amphibious armored combat vehicle.

Turkish defense firm Roketsan's UAV-230 air-to-surface ballistic supersonic missile integrated with Akinci drone. (Image Credit: Roketsan)

Roketsan also displayed UAV-230, an air-to-ground ballistic supersonic missile with a range is 150+ kilometers, as well as the KMC-U weapons system, which can be used to launch the Cirit Laser Guided Missile, the UMTAS Long Range Anti-Tank Missile System and the L-UMTAS Laser Guided Long Range Anti-Tank Missile System.

Speaking to the media at the exhibition, Roketsan Board Chairperson Faruk Yigit said that the company has increased its revenue by more than 9% during 2022. Roketsan increased its foreign sales by 3% last year and the company plans to reach a wider international market in the future aiming to increase foreign sales share by at least 50% this year, he said.


Turkey’s Otokar unveils new armored vehicles

Turkey’s emerging defense manufacturer Otokar unveiled 11 new models for military vehicles. Among them were ARMA 8x8 Low Altitude Air Defense Vehicle and ARMA 6x6 HPEM Vehicle. The company showcased the ARMA 8x8 Driver Gunner Training Simulator for the first time.

During the expo, Otokar’s General Manager Serdar Gorguc said that the company has sold over 33,000 military vehicles, being utilized in more than 40 different countries around the world. He said that the firm is focused on engineering capabilities, R&D strength, and technological capabilities to meet the requirements.

Turkiye's Otokar armored vehicles, including the Cobra II mine-resistant ambush-protected vehicle (R). (Image Credit: Otokar)

“This year at IDEF, we continue to lead in innovation of the country by unveiling the heavy-class tracked and armored unmanned ground vehicle ALPAR and ARMA II 8x8 armored vehicle,” Gorguc said, adding that these two new variants “will be the most innovative vehicles showcased at the fair.” Otokar is the pioneer in Turkey’s land systems industry, boasting an extensive product range, strong engineering capabilities, and production strength.

IDEF 2023’s success in presenting cutting-edge products, global participation, and defense agreements and collaborations reflects Turkey’s remarkable trajectory in the defense industry and its commitment to innovation.





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