Türkiye’s defense industry once again proved its technological maturity and operational readiness during a major NATO innovation activity held in Istanbul. Conducted under the leadership of NATO Allied Command Transformation (NATO ACT), the final phase of the four-stage NATO Innovation Continuity Initiative took place at Istanbul Technical University’s Maritime Faculty, coordinated by the Presidency of Defense Industries (SSB). A total of 50 organizations participated in the program, including 13 from Türkiye, all of which delivered strong performances in joint missions and technology demonstrations.

Prominent Turkish defense companies — ASELSAN, HAVELSAN, Tualcom, Meteksan Defense, DASAL, TÜBİTAK SAGE, Sefine Shipyard, STM, Sonitus, ULAK Communications, Hyperever, Qubitrium and KoçSavunma — collaborated with international teams on mission sets involving drifting mine detection and neutralization, protection of critical undersea infrastructure and quantum-based technologies. These multidisciplinary missions offered a comprehensive testing environment for next-generation defensive capabilities under realistic conditions.

DASAL Aviation participated with reconnaissance and surveillance drones, responsible for detecting drifting mines in a port scenario. Company representatives noted that they contributed throughout the year to scenario development during field events in Portugal and Canada, as well as numerous online preparation sessions. Highlighting the strategic importance of the event, DASAL emphasized that NATO’s multinational environment provides both brand visibility and entry into high-standard defense markets, strengthening global cooperation and export opportunities.

HAVELSAN showcased its ultra-wideband (UWB) relative positioning technology, designed to ensure safe takeoff, landing and formation management for unmanned systems. The UWB-based solution functioned independently of GNSS and camera systems, providing high-accuracy positioning for unmanned surface vessels (USVs) through coastal reference points. The system’s resilience to jamming and GNSS denial made it a standout component of the exercise.

ASELSAN focused on autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) technologies, demonstrating AI-enhanced navigation algorithms that significantly improved accuracy compared to classical sensor-fusion methods. High-fidelity simulations revealed that AI-supported navigation increases endurance, stability and operational precision of underwater systems — a critical requirement for NATO’s underwater security priorities.

TÜBİTAK SAGE participated as the “first intelligence provider” within the robotic AI group, detecting drifting mines using drone imagery representing satellite data and reporting these findings to NATO’s communication network. Additionally, SAGE introduced its new AI pilot concept, developing AI agents capable of learning both offensive and defensive maneuvers. These agents simulate missile evasion strategies, design counter-tactics against air defense systems and generate optimized operational scenarios for friendly forces.

Turkish officials and company representatives underscored that participation in NATO activities not only reinforces interoperability and standardization but also strengthens Türkiye’s position in global defense markets. Products validated within NATO frameworks gain increased acceptance in third-country markets, giving Turkish defense companies a significant competitive advantage.