Şişecam Group signs a cooperation agreement for the defence industry

Şişecam Group and ASELSAN signed a cooperation protocol with the aim to develop solutions in product composition and optimization matters besides the supply of materials at such standards for use in the defence industry projects of ASELSAN. Within the framework of the protocol signed, Şişecam Group and ASELSAN will make joint efforts to produce domestic and national solutions by combining their capabilities, skills and experience built upon their deep-rooted history in their own fields of operation.

The cooperation protocol signing ceremony held at ASELSAN’s facility in order to lay a foundation for joint efforts was attended by Professor Ahmet Kırman, Vice Chairman and CEO of Şişecam Group, Professor Şener Oktik, Chief Research and Technological Development Officer of Şişecam Group, Professor Haluk Görgün Chairman and CEO of ASELSAN and Associate Professor Hakan Karataş, Corporate Governance Vice President of ASELSAN.

The scope of this cooperation, which will continue at least two years and will be implemented in two phases consisting of preliminary studies and prototype production, is aimed to develop a wide range of glass and ceramic materials for use in various equipment to be developed by ASELSAN, led by the periscope glasses of the national tank project. The materials in question are planned to be resistant against thermal shock, possess high strength, and have different optical performances than conventional glass depending on the requirements of the relevant equipment. The development of product compositions by Şişecam Group for the use of ASELSAN are aimed to start from the raw materials and cover the domestic and national production processes at every stage.

Professor Ahmet Kırman, Vice Chairman and CEO of Şişecam Group, said during the ceremony, “Established in 1935 with the mission to create and develop Turkey’s glass industry, our Group has become a captain of its industry at a global scale over the period 80 years. Today, our Group is conducting its manufacturing operations in three continents, 13 countries, and at 43 facilities and it ranks third amongst the world’s largest manufacturers in glassware and fifth in the glass packaging and flat glass.

“Besides being the world’s leading supplier of chromium compounds, we are the ninth largest soda ash producer in the world. I find it very significant that we cooperate with ASELSAN, developed its operations started in 1975 with the aim of meeting Turkish Armed Forces’ communication needs from national resources. I believe that the knowledge and experience of these two deep rooted organizations will enable us to achieve important projects.”

Professor Dr. Haluk Görgün, Chairman and CEO of ASELSAN, said during his speech, “Our priority is to meet the needs of Turkey in the field of defense by means of domestic and national solutions. We, as ASELSAN, have more than 400 projects implemented consecutively. Some of them are the large-scale projects known by the public, while some are the special projects started based on the need of our defense forces.

“We want to make use of each and every capability developed and to be developed nationally in maximum. We have a very significant engineering capability. We manufacture products and systems in a wide range from military systems to civilian systems. Nearly all of the highway toll collection systems are our products. We are producing power systems for the renewable energy systems in the power generation field.

“Furthermore, we are making efforts to manufacture especially X-Ray and MR devices in the healthcare industry. We give a special importance to the cooperation with such companies that will work and produce with us.”