One of the leading technology and defense companies in Türkiye, Havelsan aims to expand its businesses in Africa by meeting the defense needs of “friendly and brotherly” African countries, a senior official said.

The defense firm also wants to establish strategic partnerships with African nations within Türkiye’s African Initiative vision, Havelsan General Manager Mehmet Akif Nacar told Anadolu Agency (AA).

Pointing out that the company opened on the continent during the coronavirus pandemic, Nacar said: “Our marketing activities accelerated with regular reciprocal visits and participation in regional fairs and conferences as of 2019. At this point, Havelsan’s brand recognition has increased considerably in various countries.”

Noting that the firm had attended the African Airforce Forum for the third time in a row since its inception, he said: “We will participate wherever it is organized next year to create business opportunities.”

He stressed that the Turkish-made Baha unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), combat management systems, training systems and training simulators are among Havelsan’s standout products and solutions for Africa.

“We want to provide many projects in Africa, and we also offer our products through our partners in Türkiye. We sold a number of products such as Baha, Barkan (unmanned ground vehicle), and shooting simulators,” he said.

Nacar explained that Havelsan sold the Network Enabled Data Integrated Combat Management System, also referred to as Advent, through a battleship project signed by a Turkish company with the Nigerian Navy last June, making Nigeria the seventh country to which Advent is exported.