Turkish defense giant eyes Southeast Asian market

Aselsan has its eye on the Southeast Asian market, according to the Turkish defense giant's Deputy General Manager Mustafa Kaval on Thursday.

Kaval, who is currently in Thailand to attend a defense and security exhibition, told Anadolu Agency that several Turkish defense industry firms were participating in the event, given the fact that the region offers huge potential.

"Thailand is a big country and has much needs like Indonesia, the Philippines and Malaysia. When we look at defense expenditures, it is predicted that most of the increase will be from this region.

"So, we are trying to sell our products with some collaborations. Recently we founded the Aselsan Malaysia company", he said,

He added that similarly there was huge potential in Indonesia; however, Aselsan is yet to do large-scale business in the country.

He said almost all countries want local production and cooperation.

"Aselsan is open to such cooperation. As we did in Kazakhstan, Jordan, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan.

"We have experience in this area. We are making efforts to proceed under the same model in this region."

About the need for communication systems in Thailand, he said Aselsan was one of the most important companies in the sector.

"In this region, we have a few opponents and we compete against them. There is an intensive attention to communication systems here.

"Our aim is to make contracts and export our products."

Founded in 1975 in capital Ankara, Aselsan, which produces military radios and defense electronic systems for the Turkish Armed Forces, is seen as Turkey's premier defense systems producer.