ASELSAN CEO Ahmet Akyol stated that they will deliver more Steel Dome components to the inventory by 2025, emphasizing, “Last year, the first time the forex gained by keeping the products we nationalized in Turkey reached the 1 billion dollar limit. With this, we achieved an average cost advantage of 22 percent at ASELSAN.” Speaking at the “International Economic Summit” held in Sapanca, a panel titled “The Future of Defense Technologies in Light of Changing Concepts” was organized. During the panel, ASELSAN CEO Ahmet Akyol, Altınay Defense Technologies Inc. General Manager Burak Mercan, President of Defense and Aerospace Manufacturers Association (SASAD) and Deputy Chairman of Kale Group Osman Okyay, and Board Member of Pacific Technology Muhammed Selman Dönmez delivered speeches. Akyol mentioned in his speech that as of the end of last year, there was a trade of 25 trillion dollars globally, stating, “While the struggle for sharing the share in the trade cake on one side has made defense industry important.” Akyol used the phrase, “Recently made investments, resources spent here provide us with the potential to establish our strong army, our strong economy, and our strong defense industry in this new atmosphere.” Akyol highlighted that ASELSAN is one of the flag bearer companies of this system and that they are working to enhance their capacities within this framework. He remarked, “We are currently developing a system that can make decisions based on artificial intelligence, rapidly communicate what we call ‘Military 5G’ without any delay, analyze each threat set, counter it with correct engagement, correct weapon, with layered, different sensors, and different weapon systems for the future, the new world, and the reshaping geography for the survival of our country. We will deliver more sub-components and systems, Steel Dome components to inventory this year. Our project is progressing successfully.” Pointing out that last year, by signing $6.5 billion worth of new contracts, they reached an approximate backlog volume of $14 billion, Akyol said that with an 18 percent growth in dollars, they managed to become the 10th fastest-growing defense company in the world. Akyol indicated that they are implementing the policy of allocating approximately $250 million in annual investment, nearly 1000 additional qualified employment, and 7 percent of revenues to self-financed R&D with determination, stating, “We are continuing to sustain growth through increased efficiency, nationalization, focusing on value-added products, and significant investments.” Akyol mentioned, “Last year, the forex gained by keeping the products we nationalized in Turkey reached the 1 billion dollar limit. With this, we achieved an average cost advantage of 22 percent at ASELSAN.” Expressing their desire to crown growth and development with European-focused collaborations, Akyol stated, “We have started negotiating concrete collaborations in various countries in Europe. ASELSAN’s growth last year will continue to be export-oriented. We want to accelerate it slightly with Europe. Results have started to come in the first quarter of this year. The high-volume, sustainable growth achieved last year is continuing in the first quarter.” Burak Mercan, General Manager of Altınay Defense Technologies Inc., also talked about the increased technological depth in Turkey, stating that the products developed with the strategy implemented in the last 20 years have created a recognition and demand worldwide. Mercan noted, “When the development process in our country overlaps with security concerns, in addition to the domestic demand movement created by the strategy laid out by our country in this direction in the last 20 years, there is also a very serious demand abroad for Turkish defense products, technologies, and Turkish engineers.” He explained that the defense spending resulting from security concerns in the Middle East, North Africa, Southeast Asia, and recently Europe actually carries significant potential for Turkey and companies operating in Turkey. Mercan added, “Although Europe is in a better position than us in terms of technological depth, it is not at the same level as us in terms of industrial capacity at the moment. Therefore, we present a good potential compared to there. I believe that in the future, there may be a significant opportunity in Turkey and companies operating in Turkey for Europe.” Muhammed Selman Dönmez, Board Member of Pacific Technology, stated that Turkey has made very visionary investments in the defense industry and technology over the last 20 years. Dönmez noted, “Although the current dispute between America and China is an economic crisis, countries that will be the balancing factor in this war in terms of defense industry, leaving economic power aside, have made serious investments, have a strong infrastructure in terms of defense industry and technology. The importance of Turkey in this war is felt intensively. Turkey’s status today can be said to be mainly due to the investments made in defense and technology over a 20-year period.” President of SASAD and Deputy Chairman of Kale Group Osman Okyay emphasized that the main reason behind countries investing in defense industries is “deterrence,” pointing out that recently, the definition of it has changed and shifted to more abstract areas.