TÜRKSAT AŞ has taken two important cooperation steps to strengthen Türkiye’s domestic and national capabilities in space, satellite communications, defense and aviation technologies. The agreements signed with ROKETSAN and KOSGEB during SAHA 2026 International Defense, Aerospace and Space Industry Fair at the Istanbul Expo Center aim to support both strategic space technologies and SMEs operating in the defense, aviation and space industries.

TÜRKSAT General Manager Ahmet Hamdi Atalay announced that a new contract had been signed with ROKETSAN for satellite communications infrastructure. Atalay recalled that TÜRKSAT and ROKETSAN had signed a comprehensive cooperation agreement in July 2025 during IDEF 2025 International Defense Industry Fair, focusing on Türkiye’s National Space Program. He stated that the agreement included strategic areas such as meeting Türkiye’s spacecraft and satellite launch needs independently, developing solutions for satellite communications architecture, carrying out joint R&D projects for domestic and national space technologies, and conducting joint work on the testing and integration processes of satellite and launch systems.

As part of the cooperation with ROKETSAN, new solutions will be developed for the architecture of Türkiye’s satellite communications infrastructure. This contract is considered important for making satellite communication systems more secure, sustainable and supported by domestic capabilities. The cooperation also covers the development of national space technologies, joint research and development activities, and collaboration in test and integration processes related to satellite and launch systems.

Atalay emphasized that concrete results from the cooperation with ROKETSAN have already begun to emerge. He said these efforts will contribute directly to Türkiye’s strategic objectives and to the technology development vision of the institutions involved. Highlighting the importance of inter-institutional cooperation in strengthening Türkiye’s independence in space technologies, Atalay stated that partnerships aimed at increasing domestic and national capacity will be expanded further in the coming period.

Another key step taken by TÜRKSAT during SAHA 2026 was the cooperation protocol signed with KOSGEB. Through this protocol, SMEs operating in the defense, aviation and space industries will be able to access support mechanisms more effectively. According to Atalay, SMEs cooperating with TÜRKSAT will be strengthened through KOSGEB support, and their production standards will be raised to the level required by main industry companies.

The KOSGEB protocol provides a critical mechanism especially for localization efforts. It aims to reduce external dependence in defense, aviation and space technologies, strengthen domestic production capacity and increase the role of SMEs in the supply chain. Businesses cooperating with TÜRKSAT will be able to benefit from exemptions from the application requirements of the Capacity Development Support Program, making it easier for them to access financial and institutional support.

The Capacity Development Support Program is implemented as a project-based support mechanism for small and medium-sized enterprises operating in sectors such as manufacturing, telecommunications and computer programming. The program aims to increase productivity, production capacity and institutional capabilities. It supports companies’ needs in areas such as personnel, machinery and equipment, software, service procurement and working capital.

Under the program, businesses can access financing with a maturity of up to 36 months and an upper limit of 20 million Turkish liras. In addition, 20 points of the interest or profit share of this financing are covered as non-repayable support. This structure is expected to provide significant advantages for SMEs seeking to scale up production, meet main industry standards and take a greater role in strategic sectors.

The partnerships TÜRKSAT established with ROKETSAN and KOSGEB represent an important step toward Türkiye’s goal of achieving greater independence in space and satellite technologies. These agreements also support the strengthening of the domestic industrial ecosystem and the more active participation of SMEs in defense, aviation and space projects. Announced at SAHA 2026, these initiatives stand out as concrete developments that reinforce cooperation among public institutions, main contractors and SMEs in line with Türkiye’s National Space Program objectives.