ozi2000
FULL MEMBER
- Joined
- Jan 10, 2012
- Messages
- 810
- Reaction score
- 24
- Country
- Location
Beyond Missile Technology: Roketsan in Global Markets
At the Eurosatory industry fair, Eyüp Kaptan, chairman of the board of directors for Roketsan, fielded questions from the Defence Turkey magazine. Mr. Kaptan provided important information regarding Roketsan’s SOM (Stand-Off Missile) Cruise Missile, the 2.75’ laser-guided “Cirit” missile and the long-range anti-tank missile “Mızrak-U”, and talked about the company’s export efforts, its business collaborations and plans for the future.
Defence Turkey: Mr. Kaptan, we thank you for this opportunity. Roketsan is a long-time participant at the Eurosatory industry fair. We’d like to hear your assessment of this year’s event.
This is my first time at Eurosatory. Eurosatory places in the top five defense industry fairs in the world. During my two-year term, this is the first time Roketsan’s upper management has participated in this fair; we have had several top level meetings here. As chairman of the board for Roketsan, it is my honor to be serving here as a conduit for displaying the Turkish flag.
Defence Turkey: What can you tell us about the contacts you have had here, and about the extent of Roketsan’s cooperation with Saab Dynamics AB?
The Tawazun Group Companies based in United Arab Emirates is Roketsan’s strategic partner, and we have had meetings with them here at the fair, concerning important new projects. We are looking at executing joint sales to third countries and to the Gulf region out of United Arab Emirates, as well as exploring joint production opportunities. We have made significant headway; these may even come to fruition by the time of the IDEX fair to be held at Abu Dhabi next February, and we may possibly issue the related celebratory news in Abu Dhabi. Additionally, on the second day of the fair, we signed an agreement with Saab Dynamics AB which holds an especially important cachet for us, in that, Roketsan is now a partner in equal footing with the 150-year-old Saab, MBDA Missile Systems and Raytheon. These companies operate in world major leagues in the same type of business as Roketsan, and now Roketsan is qualified as their peer. We are now a company that not only manufactures parts for these companies, but is involved in joint production with them. The agreement with Saab involves efforts to combine anti-tank missile technologies possessed by Saab and Roketsan, and sell resulting products to third countries. We have several years of accumulated knowledge in this technology, and Saab also has significant experience in the same field; all of these will be considered and a roadmap will be developed, and hopefully, we will start testing within a year’s timeframe. Frankly speaking, I prefer to move quickly on agreements, as the world markets wait for no one; you need to move fast with a product that is better than your competitors.
Our booth at the fair was visited by countries having significant potential to be customers; Jordan expressed a special interest in our laser-guided Cirit missile. Cirit is especially well-poised as, in addition to helicopters, it can be used on all types of aircraft other than jet aircraft. Integration activities for it have been completed, and delivery to United Arab Emirates has been made. Cirit has a wide spectrum for use in land and marine platforms. We also had good talks with Thailand. We may have welcome news in that respect as well, in the near future. South Korea (The Republic of Korea) has expressed serious interest in SOM. So, in summary, I can say that we had a pretty successful event.
Defence Turkey: Can you tell us about the products you have exhibited at the fair?
Roketsan’s vision runs the gamut from the depths of oceans to outer space. Rockets and missiles are our primary business. We are currently working on multiple projects for the Turkish Navy, the Air Force and the Army. However, we are not yet promoting certain products, as our customers would not like to have them disclosed. At this year’s Eurosatory, we are exhibiting our 107 mm, 122 mm and 300 mm rocket systems, the 2.75’ Laser-Guided Cirit missile that we have introduced to international markets, the long-range anti-tank missile Mızrak-U which will see delivery within the year to the Turkish Army, the medium-range Mızrak-O missile, the low- and medium-altitude air defence missile system Hisar, the Smart Micro Munition, and of course, the SOM cruise missile.
Defence Turkey: How are the efforts coming along for the sale of the competitively positioned “Cirit” missile to third countries?
When I was first appointed, I had expressed that any company that lacks in sales is destined for failure; therefore, marketing is of utmost importance to us. We have even received marketing support from the President and the Prime Minister of Turkey, the Chief of Staff of The Turkish Armed Forces as well as the commanders of its forces, through the ownership they exhibited for our company and the bilateral contacts they made on our behalf; therefore, where marketing is concerned, we all have a responsibility, from the top levels of the government to our employees. Of course, myself as chairman of the board, the board members, vice presidents and the marketing department are all proactively striving to carry out marketing activities. As such, we are in contact with several countries, from Australia to Peru and across all regions of the world.
Defence Turkey: How would you characterize the interest that the SOM cruise missile, a truly original Turkish design, has gained in international markets?
The Australian government is seriously interested in the SOM cruise missile. As you are aware, the integration of the SOM missile into the F-35 JSF aircraft has been assigned to Roketsan per a decree issued by the Defence Industry Executive Committee. We have also entered into an agreement with the Lockheed Martin company; negotiations on the topic are on-going. The SOM missile is currently able to be fired under-wing from F-16 and F-4 aircraft; however, due to the higher performance capabilities of the F-35 JSF, for effective use, a dedicated fuselage that fits into the internal bays of the JSF requires development. This in turn requires an amount of downsizing for the missile. We are continuing our efforts towards this end. The agreement we have entered into with the Lockheed Martin company is therefore of special significance. Aside from Australia, the F-35 JSF aircraft is planned to be operated by South Korea and by Singapore. The aircraft in question is the world’s most advanced fighter plane. Turkey will also be purchasing this aircraft. Roketsan is required to complete its systems integration activities by the time the JSF plane is ready, and execute its sales to the countries that I have mentioned. The countries that will be purchasing the F-35 aircraft are now all potential customers for us, and we see these developments as being the critical stages in Roketsan’s move to place itself among the top players in global defence industries.
Defence Turkey: What other platforms is the SOM cruise missile being integrated into, other than the F-35 JSF?
The under-wing model, whose mock-ups we have exhibited at the fair here, is planned for delivery this summer to the Turkish Air Force. This model has demonstrated a very high-accuracy in striking its target at 250 km using an internal guidance system. What we have here is an advanced technology system able to make use of two seperate warheads and achieve 100% accuracy. These missiles will soon be used on Turkish F-16 and F-4 aircraft. This of course is welcome news for the Turkish Air Force. They, and all levels of the government as well, are eagerly waiting on this delivery, and we are fully aware of this fact. In the meantime, we are carrying out, in cooperation with Lockheed Martin company, our systems integration activities targeting the F-35 aircraft that Turkey has agreed to purchase. We anticipate the modification efforts required for the integration to last for a duration of one to two years. While waiting for the pending F-35 aircraft, it may be possible to execute sales of the SOM missile to all countries that currently operate F-16 fleets. Similarly, we also have as potential customers those countries that operate F-4 fleets.
Defence Turkey: The long-range anti-tank missile “Mızrak-U”, previously known as “UMTAS”, has had successful test-fires. Do you feel that “Mızrak-U” will also enjoy the same success in international markets that “Cirit” has enjoyed?
We anticipate the long-range anti-tank missile “Mızrak-U” to match the success of our 2.75’ Laser-Guided “Cirit” Missile. We are developing the “Mızrak-U”, previously named “UMTAS”, for the Turkish Army. The Turkish Army is a very demanding customer; when they describe their needs, they cite the best of breed systems in the world, and provide specifications with respect to range, armour piercing capability, and system weight, and sign agreements per strict technical specifications. The technical specification is put together not by us but by the customer. Therefore the customer, at product development stage, states requirements for the product to be fitted with the most advanced features available. If the product in question is successfully developed per its specifications, it will be the best in its class worldwide. As such, “Mızrak-U” is destined to be the best in its class worldwide as the most advanced anti-tank missile system. It has the power and the capability to destroy the most advanced armour existing anywhere, meaning it can destroy all currently operational tanks. That is why our competitors use “Mızrak-U” as a benchmark to describe their own products.
As is the case for the “Cirit” missile, the “Mızrak-U” anti-tank missile has an 8 km range. There is no other anti-tank system in the world that can strike and destroy its target at a distance of 8 km. That is a differentiating factor for us. We advertise Cirit to be without equal in its class, because of the fact that its competitors are limited to a range of 5 to 6 km, whereas Cirit enjoys an 8 km range, which, when fired from aircraft, increases to 10 km. This is an advantage we have for both the “Mızrak-U” and for “Cirit”. The “Mızrak-U” missile can be fitted with tandem seeker heads and can be used with both a laser seeker and an infrared seeker, under adverse whether conditions, day or night. Another distinguishing feature is the ability of both missiles to be fired from helicopters, armoured vehicles and light reconnaissance aircraft, as well as from patrol boats.
Defence Turkey: Are there any breaking developments on sales of the Mızrak missiles to third countries?
We anticipate delivery of the Mızrak missiles to the Turkish Armed Forces by the end of the year. Naturally, potential customers question us as to whether the product is currently in use by the Turkish Armed Forces. We expect entering into negotiations with interested countries once the products enter into service with the Turkish Armed Forces. But since we have not made deliveries to the Turkish Armed Forces, I cannot provide you with anything more concrete than that.
Defence Turkey: Mr. Kaptan, the space program is currently a highly cherished subject for the Turkish defence industry. What are Roketsan’s efforts with respect to launching satellites?
At the Defence Industry Executive Committee meeting held in January 2013, feasibility studies for satellite launch systems were ordered and Roketsan was charged with satellite launches. We have delivered our report on the subject to the relevant authorities. As Roketsan we do not take part in satellite construction. However Roketsan has an important responsibility in the placement of satellites into orbit. We have created the necessary departments within our company and those departments are currently fast at work.
Defence Turkey: Are you in negotiations with any companies on the topic? What kind of a cooperation model are you envisioning? Are you planning for consulting and technology transfer activities?
This is a completely new area and technology; some technical support may be in the works, but we plan to do this mostly on our own. In any case, Roketsan is capable of developing long range rockets; a satellite launch may also be considered as a type of long-range rocket launch. We as Roketsan are not concerned with the electronic systems of the satellite; our job is to place the satellite into orbit.
Defence Turkey: Finally, do you have any messages you would like us to pass along to our readers?
I’d like to express my thanks for the appreciation you have shown for Roketsan and for conducting this interview. We at Roketsan have a new appreciation as well for your magazine, as you display an ambition similar to that we have at Roketsan, which surges with each passing year; I therefore applaud your efforts.
Defence Turkey
At the Eurosatory industry fair, Eyüp Kaptan, chairman of the board of directors for Roketsan, fielded questions from the Defence Turkey magazine. Mr. Kaptan provided important information regarding Roketsan’s SOM (Stand-Off Missile) Cruise Missile, the 2.75’ laser-guided “Cirit” missile and the long-range anti-tank missile “Mızrak-U”, and talked about the company’s export efforts, its business collaborations and plans for the future.
Defence Turkey: Mr. Kaptan, we thank you for this opportunity. Roketsan is a long-time participant at the Eurosatory industry fair. We’d like to hear your assessment of this year’s event.
This is my first time at Eurosatory. Eurosatory places in the top five defense industry fairs in the world. During my two-year term, this is the first time Roketsan’s upper management has participated in this fair; we have had several top level meetings here. As chairman of the board for Roketsan, it is my honor to be serving here as a conduit for displaying the Turkish flag.
Defence Turkey: What can you tell us about the contacts you have had here, and about the extent of Roketsan’s cooperation with Saab Dynamics AB?
The Tawazun Group Companies based in United Arab Emirates is Roketsan’s strategic partner, and we have had meetings with them here at the fair, concerning important new projects. We are looking at executing joint sales to third countries and to the Gulf region out of United Arab Emirates, as well as exploring joint production opportunities. We have made significant headway; these may even come to fruition by the time of the IDEX fair to be held at Abu Dhabi next February, and we may possibly issue the related celebratory news in Abu Dhabi. Additionally, on the second day of the fair, we signed an agreement with Saab Dynamics AB which holds an especially important cachet for us, in that, Roketsan is now a partner in equal footing with the 150-year-old Saab, MBDA Missile Systems and Raytheon. These companies operate in world major leagues in the same type of business as Roketsan, and now Roketsan is qualified as their peer. We are now a company that not only manufactures parts for these companies, but is involved in joint production with them. The agreement with Saab involves efforts to combine anti-tank missile technologies possessed by Saab and Roketsan, and sell resulting products to third countries. We have several years of accumulated knowledge in this technology, and Saab also has significant experience in the same field; all of these will be considered and a roadmap will be developed, and hopefully, we will start testing within a year’s timeframe. Frankly speaking, I prefer to move quickly on agreements, as the world markets wait for no one; you need to move fast with a product that is better than your competitors.
Our booth at the fair was visited by countries having significant potential to be customers; Jordan expressed a special interest in our laser-guided Cirit missile. Cirit is especially well-poised as, in addition to helicopters, it can be used on all types of aircraft other than jet aircraft. Integration activities for it have been completed, and delivery to United Arab Emirates has been made. Cirit has a wide spectrum for use in land and marine platforms. We also had good talks with Thailand. We may have welcome news in that respect as well, in the near future. South Korea (The Republic of Korea) has expressed serious interest in SOM. So, in summary, I can say that we had a pretty successful event.
Defence Turkey: Can you tell us about the products you have exhibited at the fair?
Roketsan’s vision runs the gamut from the depths of oceans to outer space. Rockets and missiles are our primary business. We are currently working on multiple projects for the Turkish Navy, the Air Force and the Army. However, we are not yet promoting certain products, as our customers would not like to have them disclosed. At this year’s Eurosatory, we are exhibiting our 107 mm, 122 mm and 300 mm rocket systems, the 2.75’ Laser-Guided Cirit missile that we have introduced to international markets, the long-range anti-tank missile Mızrak-U which will see delivery within the year to the Turkish Army, the medium-range Mızrak-O missile, the low- and medium-altitude air defence missile system Hisar, the Smart Micro Munition, and of course, the SOM cruise missile.
Defence Turkey: How are the efforts coming along for the sale of the competitively positioned “Cirit” missile to third countries?
When I was first appointed, I had expressed that any company that lacks in sales is destined for failure; therefore, marketing is of utmost importance to us. We have even received marketing support from the President and the Prime Minister of Turkey, the Chief of Staff of The Turkish Armed Forces as well as the commanders of its forces, through the ownership they exhibited for our company and the bilateral contacts they made on our behalf; therefore, where marketing is concerned, we all have a responsibility, from the top levels of the government to our employees. Of course, myself as chairman of the board, the board members, vice presidents and the marketing department are all proactively striving to carry out marketing activities. As such, we are in contact with several countries, from Australia to Peru and across all regions of the world.
Defence Turkey: How would you characterize the interest that the SOM cruise missile, a truly original Turkish design, has gained in international markets?
The Australian government is seriously interested in the SOM cruise missile. As you are aware, the integration of the SOM missile into the F-35 JSF aircraft has been assigned to Roketsan per a decree issued by the Defence Industry Executive Committee. We have also entered into an agreement with the Lockheed Martin company; negotiations on the topic are on-going. The SOM missile is currently able to be fired under-wing from F-16 and F-4 aircraft; however, due to the higher performance capabilities of the F-35 JSF, for effective use, a dedicated fuselage that fits into the internal bays of the JSF requires development. This in turn requires an amount of downsizing for the missile. We are continuing our efforts towards this end. The agreement we have entered into with the Lockheed Martin company is therefore of special significance. Aside from Australia, the F-35 JSF aircraft is planned to be operated by South Korea and by Singapore. The aircraft in question is the world’s most advanced fighter plane. Turkey will also be purchasing this aircraft. Roketsan is required to complete its systems integration activities by the time the JSF plane is ready, and execute its sales to the countries that I have mentioned. The countries that will be purchasing the F-35 aircraft are now all potential customers for us, and we see these developments as being the critical stages in Roketsan’s move to place itself among the top players in global defence industries.
Defence Turkey: What other platforms is the SOM cruise missile being integrated into, other than the F-35 JSF?
The under-wing model, whose mock-ups we have exhibited at the fair here, is planned for delivery this summer to the Turkish Air Force. This model has demonstrated a very high-accuracy in striking its target at 250 km using an internal guidance system. What we have here is an advanced technology system able to make use of two seperate warheads and achieve 100% accuracy. These missiles will soon be used on Turkish F-16 and F-4 aircraft. This of course is welcome news for the Turkish Air Force. They, and all levels of the government as well, are eagerly waiting on this delivery, and we are fully aware of this fact. In the meantime, we are carrying out, in cooperation with Lockheed Martin company, our systems integration activities targeting the F-35 aircraft that Turkey has agreed to purchase. We anticipate the modification efforts required for the integration to last for a duration of one to two years. While waiting for the pending F-35 aircraft, it may be possible to execute sales of the SOM missile to all countries that currently operate F-16 fleets. Similarly, we also have as potential customers those countries that operate F-4 fleets.
Defence Turkey: The long-range anti-tank missile “Mızrak-U”, previously known as “UMTAS”, has had successful test-fires. Do you feel that “Mızrak-U” will also enjoy the same success in international markets that “Cirit” has enjoyed?
We anticipate the long-range anti-tank missile “Mızrak-U” to match the success of our 2.75’ Laser-Guided “Cirit” Missile. We are developing the “Mızrak-U”, previously named “UMTAS”, for the Turkish Army. The Turkish Army is a very demanding customer; when they describe their needs, they cite the best of breed systems in the world, and provide specifications with respect to range, armour piercing capability, and system weight, and sign agreements per strict technical specifications. The technical specification is put together not by us but by the customer. Therefore the customer, at product development stage, states requirements for the product to be fitted with the most advanced features available. If the product in question is successfully developed per its specifications, it will be the best in its class worldwide. As such, “Mızrak-U” is destined to be the best in its class worldwide as the most advanced anti-tank missile system. It has the power and the capability to destroy the most advanced armour existing anywhere, meaning it can destroy all currently operational tanks. That is why our competitors use “Mızrak-U” as a benchmark to describe their own products.
As is the case for the “Cirit” missile, the “Mızrak-U” anti-tank missile has an 8 km range. There is no other anti-tank system in the world that can strike and destroy its target at a distance of 8 km. That is a differentiating factor for us. We advertise Cirit to be without equal in its class, because of the fact that its competitors are limited to a range of 5 to 6 km, whereas Cirit enjoys an 8 km range, which, when fired from aircraft, increases to 10 km. This is an advantage we have for both the “Mızrak-U” and for “Cirit”. The “Mızrak-U” missile can be fitted with tandem seeker heads and can be used with both a laser seeker and an infrared seeker, under adverse whether conditions, day or night. Another distinguishing feature is the ability of both missiles to be fired from helicopters, armoured vehicles and light reconnaissance aircraft, as well as from patrol boats.
Defence Turkey: Are there any breaking developments on sales of the Mızrak missiles to third countries?
We anticipate delivery of the Mızrak missiles to the Turkish Armed Forces by the end of the year. Naturally, potential customers question us as to whether the product is currently in use by the Turkish Armed Forces. We expect entering into negotiations with interested countries once the products enter into service with the Turkish Armed Forces. But since we have not made deliveries to the Turkish Armed Forces, I cannot provide you with anything more concrete than that.
Defence Turkey: Mr. Kaptan, the space program is currently a highly cherished subject for the Turkish defence industry. What are Roketsan’s efforts with respect to launching satellites?
At the Defence Industry Executive Committee meeting held in January 2013, feasibility studies for satellite launch systems were ordered and Roketsan was charged with satellite launches. We have delivered our report on the subject to the relevant authorities. As Roketsan we do not take part in satellite construction. However Roketsan has an important responsibility in the placement of satellites into orbit. We have created the necessary departments within our company and those departments are currently fast at work.
Defence Turkey: Are you in negotiations with any companies on the topic? What kind of a cooperation model are you envisioning? Are you planning for consulting and technology transfer activities?
This is a completely new area and technology; some technical support may be in the works, but we plan to do this mostly on our own. In any case, Roketsan is capable of developing long range rockets; a satellite launch may also be considered as a type of long-range rocket launch. We as Roketsan are not concerned with the electronic systems of the satellite; our job is to place the satellite into orbit.
Defence Turkey: Finally, do you have any messages you would like us to pass along to our readers?
I’d like to express my thanks for the appreciation you have shown for Roketsan and for conducting this interview. We at Roketsan have a new appreciation as well for your magazine, as you display an ambition similar to that we have at Roketsan, which surges with each passing year; I therefore applaud your efforts.
Defence Turkey
