One of Türkiye’s leading defense industry companies in rocket and missile technologies, ROKETSAN, convened a strategic cooperation meeting with Bolu Abant İzzet Baysal University (BAİBÜ) on February 18, 2026. Hosted by the university, the meeting focused on increasing domestic and national production capacity in the defense sector and deepening university-industry collaboration. A key objective was to integrate local industrial enterprises in Bolu more effectively into the national defense ecosystem.

During the meeting, participants evaluated concrete steps that would enable Bolu-based companies to take a more active role in defense projects. Strengthening the supply chain, developing high value-added production infrastructure, and establishing a sustainable growth model were among the primary topics discussed. The integration of the university’s academic expertise into defense industry projects, the expansion of research and development (R&D) activities, and the creation of technology-driven cooperation models were also highlighted as strategic priorities.

Prof. Dr. Faruk Yiğit, Rector of BAİBÜ and Chairman of the Board of ROKETSAN, emphasized the critical role universities play in knowledge production. He underlined that aligning academic research with industrial needs carries significant strategic value. According to Yiğit, stronger university-industry integration will provide practical training opportunities for students, project-based research opportunities for academics, and enhanced access to defense contracts for local companies.

ROKETSAN General Manager Murat İkinci noted that the defense industry operates within a robust and multi-layered ecosystem. He stressed that partnerships with universities are vital for ensuring sustainable sectoral growth and for cultivating a highly qualified workforce. İkinci added that increasing supply chain-oriented engagement with local firms would contribute not only to regional economic development but also to strengthening Türkiye’s national defense capabilities.

The meeting brought together numerous academics, students, defense industry representatives, and local industrial stakeholders. Discussions covered the current state of the sector, the ongoing technological transformation process, and future requirements. Concrete cooperation models aimed at boosting domestic production capacity, expanding R&D investments, and ensuring sustainable growth in the defense industry were also evaluated. This strategic initiative is expected to make long-term contributions to both regional industrial infrastructure and Türkiye’s global competitiveness in defense technologies.