T3 Podcast | The Significant Impact of Small Changes in Technology - Haluk Görgün

Technology, R&D and National Industry Vision from Aselsan

In this episode of the T3 Podcast, we summarize the key themes and ideas from the interview with Prof. Dr. Haluk Görgün, Chairman of the Board and General Manager of Aselsan. The podcast provides a detailed examination of Aselsan’s technology, innovation and R&D strategies, its collaborations with universities, and its contributions to the National Technology Initiative.

University-Industry Collaboration and Collective Intelligence

Prof. Dr. Haluk Görgün emphasizes the high importance Aselsan places on collaborations with universities to enhance its technological capabilities. To date, Aselsan has worked with 346 universities and operates the Aselsan Academy platform within the Aselsan Campus, providing graduate-level education to students. This collaboration model aims to develop a qualified workforce by actively involving students in real-world projects.

Deep Technology Initiatives

Görgün uses the term “deep technology” instead of “high technology,” defining it as initiatives grounded in rigorous scientific research processes and difficult to replicate. The low replicability and high technological multiplier effect of deep technology underscore its strategic importance.

Aselsan’s Growth Strategies and National Supplier Development

Under its inorganic growth strategy, Aselsan has integrated companies such as Vitel to strengthen its competencies in areas like artificial intelligence and simulation. Additionally, to reduce external dependency and support national suppliers, Aselsan launched the “GücümüzBir” platform to accelerate localization efforts. As a result, the local content rate has risen from around 30% to over 77% in the last decade.

Turkish Defense Industry and Critical Technologies

In line with Türkiye’s goal of achieving full independence in its defense industry, the number of companies and employees in the sector has increased significantly over the past 15 to 20 years. Aselsan has played a pioneering role in this transformation by entering the top 50 of the world’s 100 largest defense companies. Nationalization of critical technologies is one of the top priorities of Aselsan’s sustainable management vision.

The Importance of R&D and Human Capital

In 2020, Aselsan became Türkiye’s largest R&D investor with a budget of $541 million. Görgün stresses that the greatest value of R&D lies not in its budget but in its highly qualified workforce of approximately 9,000 employees. Providing a peaceful and supportive work environment for this skilled personnel is seen as both a mission and a necessity.

Entrepreneurship Center and Ecosystem Support

To address challenges such as high costs and lack of mentorship faced by deep technology startups, Aselsan has established an entrepreneurship center. This center aims to strengthen the national high-tech startup ecosystem by making Aselsan’s infrastructure and expertise available to entrepreneurs.

National Technology Initiative and Public Awareness

Haluk Görgün states that the National Technology Initiative has created an infrastructure that secures Türkiye’s technological independence and enhances its global competitiveness. Aselsan contributes to this initiative by transferring its defense industry experience to civilian sectors and raising awareness among youth through initiatives such as technology camps.