Turkey is working to become a global tech giant. The year 2021 saw important events with huge participation, Turkey conducted several significant projects in technology, defense, and aviation from aircraft to electric cars, satellites, and more.
Today we will discuss how Turkey is working toward becoming one of the top technology leaders in the world and what projects are implemented for its future vision.
1- Space Technology Studies:
Turkey has established the Turkish Space Agency (Türkiye Uzay Ajansı) in 2018 and is subordinated to the Ministry of Science and Technology.
In February 2021, Turkey unveiled its national space program, an ambitious 10-year space road map based on realistic and competitive goals. Turkey is planning to establish a spaceport while ensuring access to space.
As part of the program, Turkey aims to make its first contact with the moon on the 100th Anniversary of the Republic in 2023.
Besides that, in August 2021, Turkey prepared the National Artificial Intelligence (AI) Strategy, defining issues which it will be focused on during the period from 2021-2025. The strategy will increase the share of AI in GDP to 5%, as well as 50,000 jobs in the sector.
2- Satellites:
By the end of the year 2021, Turkey has launched its 8th satellite into space in December 2021. The 5B satellite launched with the Falcon 9 rocket that belongs to the Aerospace company SpaceX which was founded in 2002 by Elon Musk.
Turksat 5B satalite is the most powerful Turkish satellite with a 35-year lifespan, It will increase Turkey’s satellite data communication capacity more than 15 times, and will have an effective place in several sectors like aviation and maritime.
The coverage area of the Turksat 5B satellite is all of the entire Middle East, Persian Gulf, Red Sea, Mediterranean, North and East Africa, Nigeria, South Africa, and neighboring countries besides turkey.
In January 2021, Turkey launched its 5A satellite with the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket too. Turksat 5A satellite has a 30-year lifespan. In that Turkey became one of a few countries, which can launch two satellites in one year.
Turkey aims to complete a Turksat 6A project in 2022 and is expected to be launched in Q1 of 2023, which will make Turkey one of 10 countries that can produce its own communications satellite.
As well as the remote sensing Turkish satellite, IMECE, is expected to launch in 2022, this satellite is made by using local resources up to 60%.
3- Electric cars:
Turkey’s domestically-produced electric car, the iconic Togg, was unveiled at the world’s largest Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in the western US city of Las Vegas.
TOGG company aims to differentiate itself from other global competitors by creating the “Use Case Mobility” concept which includes “Data-Based Business Models”, “New Mobility Services”, “Smart Life”, and “Smart Charging”. As well, it aims to produce one million vehicles in five different segments by 2030.
TOGG Turkish national cars are five electric cars that are planned to be produced by Turkey’s Automobile Joint Venture Group Inc., the first being a C-segment SUV.
4- Construction Industry Trends & Innovations:
Turkey is complying with the United Nation’s global principles and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the EU’s Green Deal carbon-neutral policy in terms of construction.
Today the Daily Sabah announced that one Turkish construction firm aims to contribute to a sustainable future.
Dorçe Prefabrik continues to work toward becoming carbon neutral by protecting environmental conditions, using recyclable and renewable materials, and minimizing energy consumption and waste generation.
5- Technology investments:
Turkey has attracted global tech companies. in 2021 significant technology investments from the world were made in Turkey.
Chinese electronics giant, Xiaomi, opened a production facility in Istanbul in March 2021. Turkey is the 4th country where the brand has production plants.
Another Chinese smartphone giant, OPPO, opened a factory in Istanbul in March 2021.
China’s TCL began manufacturing mobile phones in Turkey with an annual capacity of 450,000 units, which is projected to reach 1 million this year with the cooperation with Turkish major appliances producer Arcelik.
As well as the Chinese company, TECNO started manufacturing in Turkey with an investment of $35 million and generated 1,000 jobs.
And lastly, China’s Vivo rented a facility in the industrial province of Kocaeli for manufacturing mobile phones.
6- Events:
Turkey’s biggest aerospace and technology festival, TEKNOFEST, is held in September at Istanbul’s Ataturk Airport.
The 2021 edition of the festival featured technology competitions in dozens of categories such as smart transportation, robotics, rockets, helicopter design, biotechnology, flying cars, and unmanned underwater systems.
And it hosted activities, such as air shows with warplanes, unmanned aerial vehicles, and helicopters; seminars, summits, competitions, and fairs.
The second biannual SAHA Expo, a major Turkish defense industry event, held in November 2021, gathering sector professionals, officials, defense companies, and technology developers.
As well as IDEF 2021, the 15th International Defence Industry Fair was held for four days in August 2021 at the Fair and Congress Centre in Istanbul TÜYAP. That fair is One of the largest global defense events.
It showcased a wide range of defense technology products in various fields, including land vehicles, unmanned aerial vehicles, weapons, simulators, radars, sonars, naval platform solutions, aviation systems, missiles, logistic vehicles, supply equipment, and security systems.
Information Technology (AI) Sector In Turkey:
The information and connections technology sector is considered a priority sector in Turkey with more than 26 thousand active companies and about 239 thousand workers in this field in 2020. Various initiatives have been taken to promote this sector in the area. The government supports such investments and provides an incentives package that includes corporate tax exemptions, VAT exemptions, social security premium support, and more for both local and foreign investors. An estimate of 18 billion dollars worth of international investments attracted since 2000.
The major players in the IT and R&D fields in Turkey are Microsoft, IBM, Turksat, Turk Telekom, Turkcell, Cisco, Huawei and more.
Turkey Wealth Fund & The technology:
According to Hurriyet Daily News, Turkey Wealth Fund has announced plans to invest $250 million in technology.
The CEO of Turkey wealth fund said that: “We aim to invest in value-added, leading areas of the new economy that will fill the gap in the ecosystem in our country,”.
He added The fund’s portfolio includes 28 companies in seven sectors, two licenses, and 46 real estates. State lenders Ziraat Bank, Halkbank, and VakıfBank; the country’s stock exchange market Borsa Istanbul; Turkish Airlines; GSM giants Turkcell and Türk Telekom and natural gas firm Botaş are among them.