ce Turkey: Dear Mr. Hayrifirst of all I would like toyou for your time with us.studies are you conducting

Roketsan's Operations andetic Systems Vice President?you inform us briefly?ersan Operations and

etic Systems (OES) Group:;e:r;, s design and production of

eads and propulsion systemsrocket and missile systems.

=S Group provides rocket motor,ead,pyrotechnicandmechanicalems as well as propellant for theterns developed by Roketsan.

:::>esign,development and production- passive and reactive armour

systems are performed by Ballisticotection Center that is also in our

group.Our composite solid propellant

production facilities producing therocket motor propellant are one ofthe state of art facilities in the world.In addition to our own systems, thedevelopment and production ofrocket motors for export to EuropeanCustomers are being carried out inthe high technological facility locatedin Elrnadaq, Similarly, the warheaddesign and production units havethe state of art capabilities which arebeing improved continuously.

Additionally, the production ofcritical chemical raw materials, shelflife extension studies for the shelflife expired ammunitions, productionof missile launchers and controlactuation systems are within theother capabilities of OESGroup.

Defence Turkey: Mr. Torun youare conducting major studiesregarding the missile propulsionsystems as the OES group asyou have mentioned and you arecovering the demands of severalmissile manufacturers abroad. Youare executing projects especiallywith the Italian MBDA companyon design and manufacturing oftheir Aspide missile motors. Whatare your current capabilities on theMissile Propulsion Systems? Alsocould you inform us on the exportactivities accomplished mainlywith Italian MBDA company andother companies as well as thepotential projects?

We have considerable amountof knowledge on the design ofpropulsion systems. We are able todesign rocket motors in accordance

ISSUE 49/2013 •

to the given performance criteria.The verification and qualificationtesting of the designed motors canbe performed as per the internationaland military standards with theavailable infrastructure at Roketsanto demonstrate the customer for thecompliance of their requirements.Wesigned a contract with MBDA Italyfor the development and productionof advanced rocket motor for theirAspide missile in 2009. This rocketmotor developed by Roketsan isthe first rocket motor ever exportedfrom Turkey to Europe. The design,development and qualificationphases of the project have beensuccessfully accomplished and serialproduction has been launched. Ourdeliveries within the scope of thisserial production are still ongoing. In2012, we signed another contract forthe development of another missilerocket motor with MBDA Italy. Thedevelopment of this rocket motorsis almost completed and serialproduction will follow. We haveproject discussions with the world'smajor companies including USArelatedto this issue.Weexpect to signsimilar export contracts in near futurefor the development and productionof various propulsion systems withthese companies..

Defence Turkey: Roketsan isone of the few manufacturers whenit comes to Missile PropulsionSystems in the world, what doyou think Roketsan should do tobecome a leader in this area in theEuropean Market and the world?What are your assessments?

Propulsion system technologiesinclude the technologies for rocketmotor and its subsystems which aregenerating the thrust required for thetake off of the missile.

Roketsan conducts propulsionsystems design and developmentactivities including solid-propellantrocket motors since its establishmentin 1988. Propulsion System DesignUnit started to their studies witha single engineer during theestablishment has now reached to alevel of Turkey's leading propulsionsystem group and among the majorplayers in the world by the experienceand knowledge gained through thesuccessful completion of STINGERand other national/internationalprograms. In addition to the ballisticand mechanical design engineers,

- -'-*"" '-7 DEFENCE TURKEY

a group of experienced experts incharge of the detail calculations,propellantdevelopmentgroupdealingwith the development of propellantasthe energysourceofthe rocketmotorsand a chemical synthesis groupresponsible for the development ofchemicals of critical importance areincluded within the aforementionedteam. Roketsan is also capable ofdeveloping its own pyrotechnicalequipment. In addition to its designand development capabilitiesRoketsan's manufacturing andtesting infrastructure has progressedsimilarly and the company hasbecometo be able to produce varioussolid propellant propulsion system.

Roketsan reached to a level thatit could compete with the existingpropulsion systems developmentcompanies in the world. Withinthe scope of a defined road map,Roketsan performs the technologydevelopment studies related to thepropulsion systems in order to keepits competitiveness and extends thecapabilities furthermore in the futuremeanwhile strengthening its relationswith the universities and othernational institutions and associations.

Defence Turkey: The productionof control section for Patriot airdefence missiles of AmericanRaytheon Company is alsoperformed by the OES Group.Could you inform us about thestudies carried out?

Our cooperation with Raytheonstarted in early 2000 for themanufacturing of some maincomponents of ESSM missile. As aresult of our initiatives to extend ourcooperation and become a partner,we wereawarded by Raytheonfor theproduction of Patriot GEM-T MissileControl Section, one of' the majorsubassembly, for the global marketin 2009. The construction of facilitiesand qualification studies regardingthe Patriot control section werecompleted in 2010 and Roketsanhasbecome the sole source qualified inthe world for Patriot Control Sectionproduction. Currently, the controlsection produced by Roketsan isbeing used in all Patriot missilesaround the world. Serial productionand delivery phases are still goingon. The performance shown on theprogram has been acknowledged byRaytheon and Roketsan is awardedwith Supplier ExcellenceAward three

fimes fn a rovll-l'i·k~).2n12012 among theirfive thousand.

Defence Turkey: As Roketsan,you are performing various studiesin ballistic protection systems inorder to cover the military andcivilian requirements of Turkeyand you have a dedicated BallisticProtection Center established.Could you inform us on the mainactivities realized in this center?

In order to establish local armoursystem development capability andto develop armour system for Altaymain battle tank program, we signeda contract with Undersecretariat forDefence Industry (SSM)in November2008andtheestablishmentof BallisticProtection Center (BKM)was startedwithin the scope of this contract. Asof today, the establishment of thecenter having the latest technologicalcapabilities and infrastructure, hasbeen completed. Contractually, thecenter is a Government FurnishedEquipment (GFE) and belongs toSSM. BKM is in operation now andvarious ballistic protection systemdevelopments are being performed.The center has 6200 m2 closed area.The center has both the compositeand reactive armour design,development, test and manufacturingcapability as well as indoor andoutdoor test laboratories which

working atProtection Center. We expect tobecomeTurkey'scenter of excellencein performing design, development,test and manufacturing of light andheavyarmour systems.

Defence Turkey: Consideringyour vision of becoming Turkey'sCenter of Excellence in Armours,what are your studies concerningindigenous design capabilityand manufacturing of BallisticProtection Technologies at theCenter? Could you inform us onyour investmentsand infrastructurestudies regarding R&D?

The initial goal of the BallisticProtection Center was to developAltayMainBattleTankArmourSystem.As you may know, we receivedtechnical support from HyundaiRotem, a South Korean company.We have successfully reached toour initial goal for the developmentof armour system for Altay tank andcompleted its qualification recently.One of our objectives as Roketsanis to make the center to be able todevelop different ballistic protectionsolutions and to make a center ofexcellence facility in armour havingthe required infrastructure, devices,equipment and qualified personnel.

capaomnes gained fromprograms, we started to developvarious ballistic system solutionsand new indigenous products likeForced Protection Systems. Wehave completed verification andqualification testing on the ForceProtection Systems and started todeliveries. Thus, we are taking firmsteps towards our goal of becominga center of excellence.Wemay claimthat Ballistic Protection Center isunique in Turkeyconsidering its levelof manufacturing, test and personnelcapabilities. While assigning this taskto Roketsan, the Undersecretariatfor Defence Industries (SSM) aimedthe Ballistic Protection Center tocoordinate all ballistic protectionstudies inTurkeyand becomeacenterof excellence.Within this respect, wecarriedout anationwideinfrastructuralsurvey available to define whichstudies have been conducted at ouruniversities, research centers, andindustrial institutions and made aninventory. Through establishing thenecessary coordination within thesecapabilities and creating a synergy,we are continuing our studies in orderto become a center that could designand manufacturethe requiredballistic

DEFENCE TURKEY

protection systems.Defence Turkey:Mr.Torun, could

you elaborate on the issue you justmentioned? Do you consider thatthis center should take the roleto bridge studies held at researchcenters, industrial associationsand universities so that they couldturn into concrete projects? Whatare your studies concerning thisissue?

One of the most importantcomponents of the armour systemis the material and we have to findthe proper material. Certainly, theproduction of each material was notpossible and feasible at the earlystages. Everysingle material used inarmour system should be availablelocally in order to have a 100% localsystem. Within the scope of theproject we have the responsibility forthe full acquisition of the technology,therefore we have assigned variousuniversities in Turkey to synthesizeand develop the materials. We arein close cooperation and workingtogether with our universities. Thereare several material developmentstudies currently being carriedout. We believe that the outputs ofthese research studies will bring outmaterials to be used in many areasof defense industry and contribute tonew product developments.

Defence Turkey In whichuniversitiesare you conducting thesestudies?

We are in close cooperation withMiddle East Technical University,Anadolu University, Atihm Universityand others located either in Ankara,istanbul or other cities. Theseuniversities were determinedby considering their availableinfrastructure and capabilitiesobtained from the survey results.We have signed agreement withthem to conduct research projects

© Roketsan

• ISSUE 49/2013

such as material development tobe used in industry and modelingof ballistic behavior of materials.We have preferred the universitieshaving the mature infrastructure untilnow, but we are open to discuss theopportunities with others as well.

Defence Turkey: How aboutthe testing capabilities in yourfacilities?

Testing capability is one of themajor assets for Ballistic ProtectionSystems. You cannot verify theballistic capability unlessyou performthe proper testing, therefore it isliterally vital. Within the scope of theproject, we established two testingfacilities. We have well equippedoutdoor and indoor test capabilitiesthat was not exist in Turkey before.For example, Powder Gun FiringSystem has been installed in indoorballistic test center at our facility.It contains powder and gas gunfiring systems that would be used inTurkeyfor the first time. We conductmaterial characterization and scaledpenetrator armour interaction testsin our laboratories. The outdoorarmour testing facility is located inSereflikochisar Firing Range nearAnkara. We have the capability todefinethe effectsof threats on armoursystems with real chemical andkinetic energy ammunitions at thisoutdoor testing range. In summary,we have both indoor and outdoortesting facilities in use for the testingof light and heavy armour systems.As Roketsan, we have brought newcapabilities to our country along withthe laboratories equipped with hightechnology equipment. We have themost advanced and capable outdoorand indoor armour testing area inTurkey.

Defence Turkey: Mr. Torun,will these outdoor and indoor testcenters be available for use by

domestic and foreign companiesoperating in military and civilianareas?

These test centers were primarilyestablished for the testing of AltayMain Battle Tank Armour System.It can be utilized by the domesticcompanies and associations fortheir testing purposes with thepermission of Ministry of NationalDefense, however it may be early tosay anything about its use by foreigncompanies.

, Defence Turkey: Roketsan hasthe responsibility for design anddevelopment of the the armoursystem of the Altay - TurkishMain Battle Tank. As you alreadymentioned, South Korean company"Rotem" provided technicalsupport to you in this project.Could you explain the co-operationwith Rotem according to the sub-contract agreement? Has therebeen a technology transfer as aresult of this co-operation?

An agreement was signedbetween Roketsan and the HyundaiRotem company based in SouthKorea concerning technical supportwith the approval of SSM, in order tospeed up the development processand save time. This technicalsupport agreement covers thetechnical support for design studiesin Turkey.It did not cover the transferof technology, so we cannot nameit as technology transfer. SouthKorean experts stayed at Roketsanthroughout the program and havebeen really supportive during thedevelopment phase at the BallisticProtection Center. Along this phase,Rotem supported us in equipmentsupply, software development,armour design as well as its adoptionby the Roketsan personnel. ThisSouth Korean company has fulfilledmainly its obligation with the

RoketsanBallisticProtectionCenter

accomplishment of the qualificationof the armour system. Currently weare performing our activities mostlyindependent from Rotem companytogether with our qualified personnel.

Defence Turkey: The armoursystem developed by Roketsanwithin the scope of the Altay Projectwas qualified successfully aftercompletion of the tests conductedin June and July. Could you informus on the qualification process andhow the related program schedulewill proceed?

During the system developmentphase, at first, system verification isperformed with the extensive testsand then the qualification processstarts in order to prove that thecustomer requirements are compliedwith under the extreme conditions.Armour system qualification was thelast step we have finalized through thedevelopment process of our armoursystem. We have been through atesting campaign that lasted for oneand a half months starting from thebeginning of June until Mid-July2013. The armour tests have beenconducted since the beginning ofthe development phase to checkwhether the results are in accordancewith the expectations. In this periodof 1,5 months, the Armour Systemof Altay Tank was tested with actualammunition and real sized structuresin order to prove that the system hassufficient protection against all threatsdefined by Turkish Armed Forces andthe Undersecretariat for DefenceIndustries. In this respect, we provedto our acceptance committee that allthreats are suppressed successfullywith our armour systems. Ultimatelythe armour system has shown itscapability to have effective protectionagainst all the threats defined. Ourefforts for the improvement of thesystem will proceed.

Defence Turkey: How will theprogram schedule proceed?

Weare continuously working at thecenter and together with the researchinstitutions for the development ofnew materials with better propertiesto replace the ones being used. Onthe other hand, we started to workwith the potential companies forthe local production of the materialsprocured from the outside sources.Armour System for Altay Programhas been successfully qualified andready for serial production. We waitfor the serial production contract

• ISSUE 49/2013

to start up where we plan to use allappropriate available local sources.We will manufacture a prototypearmour system in line with the projectschedule and provide this armoursystem to Otokar who is the maincontractor for Altay Tank SystemDevelopment. Following this stagethere will be another test in which theArmour System shall be installed andafter the completion of this test ourresponsibilities regarding the projectshall be accomplished.

Defence Turkey: As Roketsanyou are manufacturing theindigenous anti-tank ammunitionwhile developing the armoursystem for Altay Tank. Whichadvantages do you have beingexpert on those two areas?

As anti-tank missiles developmentcompany, you know the threat clearly,and you should find out how to defeatthis threat. The threat is anti-tankwarhead and armour is your defeatingtool. We have an increasing capabilityin both areas, therefore the level ofquality for both systems increases inparallel to each other. This is similarto software and anti-virus softwaredevelopment, I believe that if you arecapable to develop armour systems,you may be able to develop the bestsolution in determining the type ofthe warhead or the missile to defeatthis armour. This is really a goodopportunity for Roketsan, we aredeveloping anti-tank missiles and onthe other hand we have the capabilityfor testing the missiles against thearmour systems in order to determineon which armour system they aremore effective. Thus, in the future wemay have to develop more capablearmour systems against those anti-tank ammunitions.

In armour design, knowledgeabout the threat is the most criticalinformation besides from the materialinformation. The expertise we havebuilt in armour-piercing ammunitionhas been really useful and importantin perceiving the interaction betweeneach material in the armour systemand the threats. This is again exactlythe same point I mentioned above,The case that the best antivirussoftware could be developed bythe experts who know well about'the viruses. Roketsan is the onlycompany in the world that developsboth anti-tank missiles and armoursystems for the tanks. This helpsus to follow the latest technologicaldevelopments in both side and todevelop them further.

Defence Turkey: Lastly, whatwould you like to say to the readersof Defence Turkey?

Turkish Defence Industry'scapabilities and products have beenenlarged a lot. Roketsan has now aproduct portfolio including artilleryrocket systems, 2.75" laser guidedmissile CIRIT, long range antitankmissile system UMTAS, mediumrange antitank missile system OMTASand Stand Off Missile SOM, etc. Yousell in case you have the product. Ibelieve that your magazine is a greattool in promoting our products to theworld and on the other hand theseproducts being developed in Turkey isa valuable material for your magazine:~,,!"~>as well. Defence Turkey magazine,undertakes a great role in presentingour defence industry products bothin national and international markets,therefore I follow Defence Turkeyclosely.

Defence Turkey: Thank youvery much for your time.

Ms,Ay~eAkalmPublisherof

DefenceTurkeyMagazine;

Mr,HayriTorun,VicePresidentandHeadofOES GroupatRoketsanMiSSileslnc.