The Industrial Cooperation Days in Defense and Aerospace, first held in 2013 and bringing together global players in the sector with SMEs, is generating excitement for 2018. Offering companies opportunities for bilateral business meetings, developing existing business relationships, establishing new ones, and exploring problems and potential solutions facing the sector, the fourth edition of the event will take place from October 23-25, 2018 at the Hacettepe Beytepe Congress Center in Ankara.
High Satisfaction
OSSA Chairman Mithat Ertuğ stated that the survey results regarding the events in 2013, 2014, and 2016 showed a 95% participant satisfaction rate in terms of the meetings held and the suitability of the companies contacted. Ertuğ noted that ICDDA offers SMEs the opportunity to meet with high-profile companies at low costs, adding, “The continuity and interest shown by purchasing managers from abroad in the previous three programs, as well as the support our sponsors provide every year, play a significant role in the success of the Industrial Cooperation Days in Defense and Aerospace.”
Received an Award
Ertuğ reminded that ICDDA was awarded the 2014 Defense Industry Special Award and the 2017 Defense Industry Promotion Special Award by the Undersecretariat of Defense Industry for its successful results, and pointed out that the support provided by the Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Turkey within the scope of URGE Projects played an important role in increasing the participation of SMEs in the event.
The experienced professional spoke about the organization as follows: “On the first day of our event, conferences are held with the participation of approximately 1,600 officials, including military and commercial attachés from many countries, relevant bureaucrats, representatives from the Force Commands and relevant Ministries, on topics such as Civil Aviation, Maritime, Air, Land Systems, Homeland Security Technologies and Supply Chain Development, with local and foreign expert moderators. These conferences discuss innovations in the sector, the problems it faces, and possible solutions. On the 2nd and 3rd days, bilateral business meetings are organized for exhibitors with stands.”
Giants Arrive in the Capital
Mithat Ertuğ stated that the interest of many domestic and foreign companies in the event has increased, saying, “Many important companies from abroad such as AIRBUS DEFENSE AND SPACE, BOEING, DASSAULT SYSTEMS, EADS, LEONARDO GROUP, LOCKHEED MARTIN, MBDA, NAVANTIA, ROLLS ROYCE, SIKORSKY, THALES, as well as our main industrial companies from within the country such as ASELSAN, HAVELSAN, FNNS, ISTANBUL SHIPYARD, MKEK, OTOKAR, ROKETSAN, TAI, TEI, and many industrialists participated.”
OPINIONS
Latif Aral Aliş - Chairman of the Board of SSI: As the defense and aerospace sector, we are growing steadily. In such an important and strategic area, structures like OSSA enable us to have an industry that can create a controlled, goal-oriented roadmap.
Dr. Faik Eken - General Manager of ASELSAN: As ASELSAN, we closely follow and support OSSA's work. I observe that OSSA's work is not limited to domestic companies but also enables international collaborations. In particular, the Industrial Cooperation Days in Defense and Aerospace (ICDDA) event held in Ankara between October 11-13, 2016, provided an important platform for bringing together domestic and foreign stakeholders in the sector and identifying areas for cooperation.
Andy Johnson - Vice President of Rolls-Royce Turkey Region: ICDDA is a good event where we can meet with many companies from Turkey and abroad regarding advanced manufacturing technologies. This event provides us with the opportunity to meet with local and international companies from Turkey and to develop our skills and capabilities in Turkey.
Jill Christenson - Boeing Procurement Manager: I was very impressed by the current technology, capabilities, and suppliers I saw in Turkey at this event. We can grow together in the aviation industry.
The fourth edition of the event, to be held between October 23-25, 2018, will inform participants about the successful work of the Turkish defense and aerospace industry, maintenance and repair issues, as well as certification and regional development models through various conferences. Detailed information can be found at www.icdda.com.tr and www.ankara.bciaerospace.com.
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