SSM (Savunma Sanayii Müsteşarlığı), the Turkish Undersecretariat for Defence Industries, is holding an officially supported forum in Istanbul this year to consult with those involved in the armoured vehicles market.

The Armoured Vehicles Turkey conference (September 30 - October 2) comes on the wave of a profitable first half of 2013 for the entire Turkish defence industry, with exports from January to July reaching $781 million - a nine per cent increase on 2012 - hinting at a possible record high for the year of a targeted $1.5 billion, although the crisis in Egypt may dent the final outcome.

Murad Bayar, the Defence Industries Under-Secretary, and Levent Senel, the Head of Turkish Land Systems, are to address the delegation on October 1st to outline the future of Turkish Defence Industries and the procurement priorities for protected mobility in the coming years, including turrets, armour, engines and communication systems.

The MoND intends to direct foreign organisations in the means to securing joint venture partnerships with Turkish OEMs and Tier 2 industry as the country enters its next procurement cycle valued at over £10 billion.

In addition to Turkish programmes, a number of senior land forces commanders are to take to the podium to address their own future national plans, with an eye to assisting Turkey in understanding the potential of emerging technology across the foreign market.

Confirmed are three- and four-star officers representing armour and mobility divisions from the United States, Germany, the Ukraine, Nigeria, Kenya, the United Kingdom and NATO, aside to a keynote address from the Turkish Armed Forces.

The Armoured Vehicles Turkey conference - which is being sponsored by FNSS, Otokar, Aselsan, Saab and other key players - will also provide a focus day dedicated entirely to discussion on training and simulation opportunities to assist the nation in transitioning from "a mass army to a professional army".

FNSS CEO Nail Kurt told Defence IQ that the contractor is, like SSM, keen to meet with Middle Eastern and Asian militaries, which are currently providing the broadest market for Turkish vehicle exports. The full article can be read here: http://bit.ly/14SgRbO

More information for those wishing to attend is available at http://www.armouredvehiclesturkey.com.

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SOURCE Defence IQ