The Turkish aviation and defense industry’s capability in simulation technologies is set to grow further with a new agreement signed between HAVELSAN and Turkish Airlines. Under the contract, HAVELSAN will produce a total of 12 new flight simulators and training systems for Turkish Airlines. The delivery package will include eight full-flight simulators and four flight training devices. The fact that all systems will be produced in Türkiye is considered an important achievement for domestic and national aviation training technologies.

The new simulators will be integrated into Turkish Airlines’ expanding flight training infrastructure. Under the agreement, HAVELSAN will develop simulators for both narrow-body and wide-body aircraft types. This also marks a strategic step for the company as it enters the field of wide-body flight simulation. The development shows that Türkiye is moving beyond producing simulators for existing aircraft types and is increasing its ambition in more complex, high-technology training systems.

Turkish Airlines aims to increase the number of aircraft in its fleet to more than 800 by 2033 in line with its long-term growth plans. Fleet growth on this scale requires not only the acquisition of new aircraft, but also a strong pilot training infrastructure. The first phase of the new simulator hangars, whose foundation was laid in January 2026, is planned to become operational in 2027, while the new Flight Training Center is expected to be completed in 2028. The systems to be produced by HAVELSAN are expected to make an important contribution to this capacity expansion.

Six HAVELSAN-produced full-flight simulators are already actively used at Turkish Airlines’ training centers. Certified according to the European Union Aviation Safety Agency’s EASA Level D standards, these systems consist of three Airbus A320NEO/CEO, two Boeing 737MAX and one Boeing 737NG full-flight simulator. In addition, the EASA certification process has also been completed for a Boeing 737MAX full-flight simulator delivered under an order placed during the Paris Air Show.

Turkish Airlines Chairman Murat Şeker stated that the new orders are an important part of the company’s long-term training goals. According to Şeker, with the new investments, the Turkish Airlines Flight Training Center will become one of Europe’s largest flight training centers by 2033, operating across three campuses and serving both Turkish Airlines crews and other airlines. This target makes the role of indigenous simulator solutions in Türkiye’s aviation training ecosystem even more visible.

HAVELSAN CEO Mehmet Akif Nacar emphasized that the contract represents an important milestone for the company. Nacar stated that entering the wide-body flight simulation field carries strategic importance. The new agreement demonstrates HAVELSAN’s commitment to developing advanced, high-quality simulation solutions for pilot training, while also making a strong contribution to Türkiye’s goal of reducing foreign dependency in aviation training technologies.