It was a great learning for Myaerosatu Committee and I to visit one the TAI international engineering hubs, Turkish Aerospace (TUSAS) Malaysia in Cyberjaya. I learned TAI is a state-owned defense and aviation company controlled by the Turkish government. Its ownership is distributed among three major national entities: The Turkish Armed Forces Foundation (TSKGV) holds the majority stake at 54.49%, a government-managed body that finances and develops Turkey's military infrastructure; Defense Industry Agency (SSB) holds 45.45% operating under the Turkish Presidency, the SSB is responsible for national military procurement and establishing Turkey's strategic defense policies: and the Turkish Aeronautical Association (TNK) which holds a minor residual stake of 0.06%. (www.tusas.com)
Originally founded in 1973, TAI was restructured in 1984 as a 25-year joint venture between Turkey and U.S. aerospace giants - specifically Lockheed Martin and General Electric (GE) - to locally manufacture F-16 fighter jets. However, in 2005, the Turkish government fully nationalized the company (to decrease foreign dependence on military equipment) by acquiring all foreign-owned shares to ensure complete strategic autonomy over its national defense technology. It has global footprint ranks among top 100 global players in aerospace and defense with engineering hubs.
I understand its core innovations and flagship projects include Unmanned Systems like the ANKA and other tactical UAVs that reshaped modern drone warfare dynamics; Fixed & Rotary Wings designed the HURJET (jet trainer/light attack), HURKUS (turboprop trainer), and collaborated on attack helicopters like the TI29; National Combat Aircraft spearheading the KAAN 5th-generation fighter jet project to ensure autonomous air superiority. As at January 2024, it has 17,000 strong manpower with 7,000 engineers and 6,000 technicians. The revenue recorded as US$1.62 billion.
TAI Executive Leadership composed of highly experienced figures guiding the nation's flagship aviation and defense initiatives. The Chairman of the Board is Omer Cihad Vardan, who directs the strategic board-level decisions. Dr. Mehmet Demiroglu is the President & CEO, who had served as Executive Vice President of Helicopters & currently oversees core initiatives for global expansion.
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