2020's Defense Project: Aksungur

Turkey plans to put Aksungur, a high-capacity unmanned aerial vehicle developed recently, into service with security forces in the first days of the new year. Turkish Aerospace Industries Inc. (TUSAŞ) General Director Temel Kotil, noting that 2019 was a "prosperous" year, stated: "There is 40 percent growth in revenue on a dollar basis compared to the previous year. We brought nearly 1,000 engineers and nearly 1,000 technicians to the company. We have substantial work and projects. We aim to reach a 10 billion dollar revenue target for our company and to complete products in the project phase. We have made as much progress as possible in one year." Sharing information about the project, Kotil said: "The National Combat Aircraft programme is progressing well. It is a long-term project; we will complete the PDR (Preliminary Design Review) in 2 years. Nearly every aspect of the aircraft will be decided. After that, engineers will conduct detailed work and begin manufacturing. First flight in 2026. We are delivering Gökbey on 29 October 2021, and then we will start serial production. Currently, certification flights are being conducted. Gökbey carries 12 people and can be used in rear-area and civilian applications. It will meet the requirements of the Health Ministry, gendarmerie, land forces and air force. There are also demands from abroad. Attack-2 will rank among the most effective helicopters in this class after Russia and the United States. Its first flight is 3 years away. We want to fly Hürjet in 2022. We aim to make more progress on projects in 2020."