TOTAL SYSTEM SOLUTIONS Turkish defence electronics giant Aselsan, based in Ankara, can lay claim to being the market leader in defence electronics in the domestic market. In recent years it has been taking its hi-tech knowledge and electronics expertise to a similar level on the global market, as Industry Europe discovers.
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selsan is one of the leading enterprises in the Turkish electronics industry. This is a company that has a rich history of offering innovative solutions as a componentlevel manufacturer, but now also provides its customers with total system solutions. And in a bid to fully exploit its position to offer its markets innovative comprehensive systems solutions, it is currently in the process of undertaking a number of modernisation and integration projects that require system engineering.
Firm foundations in the military Aselsan was founded in 1975 by the Turkish Armed Forces Foundation to produce tactical military radios and self defence electronic systems for the Turkish army.
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Today, it is the leading multi-product electronics company in Turkey that has expanded its field of expertise to now include designing, developing and manufacturing modern electrical systems for professional customers alongside its traditional applications in the military. Today, the Turkish Armed Forces Foundation continues to be the main shareholder in this exciting hi-tech company as it holds 84 per cent of the shares, with IMKB maintaining a 15 per cent stake in the business, and the remaining one per cent being owned by the insurance company AXA-Oyak. The company employs over 3000 people, with its team of highly skilled engineers making up a third of the workforce. In fact, such is the company’s focus on investing in knowledge and information – which it believes are
two of the most vital components of achieving sustainable growth – that no less than 700 of its 1333 engineers are dedicated to working in research and development.
Production structure Aselsan operates two main production facilities in Ankara. Its main site is still located at the birthplace of the company in Macunkoy, which hosts the company’s headquarters alongside its Communications, Microwave and System Technologies Divisions. The main facility has been the subject of expansion since the early days, with Aselsan now operating on a site of some 186,000m2 with 86,000m2 of the site covered. Its third division, the Microelectronics, Guidance and Electro-optics division is located at
