BAE Systems is seeking to partner more with the Turkish Defense industry, according to Alan Garwood, Group Business Development Director.

The company already has a strong track record of collaboration with Turkey through FNSS, its military vehicle joint venture with Nurol Holding.

"FNSS's recent export success in Malaysia illustrates the significant strides the Turkish Defense industry has made in recent years," said Garwood, speaking at IDEF held in Istanbul last week (10-13 May 2011).

As part of its goal of becoming the world's 10th largest economy, Turkey aims to create an indigenous state-of-the-art defense capability by 2023, the year the Turkish Republic will celebrate its 100th anniversary.

"BAE Systems would be very pleased to collaborate further with Turkey and assist with the country's aspiration to become a net exporter of defense and security equipment," commented Garwood.

The company has considerable experience of assisting in the development of such indigenous defense capabilities in markets around the world. In terms of near term defense collaboration, Garwood identifies the naval sector as a good opportunity for Turkey and the UK to work closely together.

"There have been good initial discussions on how we can share maritime experience. These have included Turkey potentially bringing its considerable naval expertise to the Global Combat Ship (GCS) program," he concluded.