Armoured Vehicles Conference, 30 Sept- 2 Oct, Istanbul
The Armoured Vehicles Conference was held in official partnership with SSM. The conference provided critical insight and debate regarding Turkey’s armoured vehicle requirements, capabilities and operations. In addition the event was positioned to provide the Turkish Armed Forces with a unique opportunity for international engagement on home turf and to welcome allies and global counterparts to their knowledge sharing activities. The event gathered Turkish Armed Forces officers, key representatives from SSM and the Turkish Ministry of National Defence as well as senior officers from the international armoured vehicle community. Mr. Murad Bayar, Undersecretary for Defence Industries, SSM & Mr. Levent Senel, Head of Land Systems, SSM were the key note speakers. The UK was represented by Col Ian Harris, Senior Military Advisor, UKTI DSO, Andrew Whitfield, Assistant Director, UKTI DSO, Richard Jefferies, the Defence AttachÊ and Belgin Clissold, Trade and Investment Manager. Lt Col Nick Makin RA, MoD gave a presentation providing insight into how UK views the future of mechanised warfare. Leigh Turner, HM Consul General Istanbul and Director for Trade and Investment Turkey, Central Asia and South Caucasus also visited the show. The event was an excellent opportunity for networking with key interlocutors.