AMMAN – Turkish military electronics specialist Aselsan inaugurated Dec. 15 a joint venture production plant in Jordan, hoping to create a gateway to Middle Eastern and North African markets.
Aselsan Middle East (AME) is a partnership between Aselsan, Turkey's biggest defense company, and King Abdullah II Design and Development Bureau (KADDB). KADDB owns 51 percent of AME, and Aselsan has 49 percent.
AME will produce border security equipment for the Jordanian and potentially other Middle East armies, company officials said.
AME's Jordan plant was inaugurated at a high-profile ceremony attended by Jordan's King Abdullah II. Turkey's deputy defense minister, Kemal Yardimci, and Aselsan's board chairman, Hasan Canpolat, accompanied King Abdullah II at the ceremony. In a speech at the ceremony, King Abdullah II pledged full support for AME.
AME produces night vision and thermal camera systems, and operates test and calibration laboratories. It has a capacity to produce 6,000 night vision devices annually.
Recently, AME signed a deal to deliver its SAGER thermal sighting system for the Jordanian army.
Nurfer Oguz, AME's general manager, said that the company's sales this year will reach $27.5 million. AME has been operational since March.
"We are planning to post four to five times growth in sales in the next few years," Oguz said.
Aselsan officials said the company's ongoing joint programs with its Jordanian partner include mini drones and unmanned helicopters. Future cooperation is planned in the fields of software-based radios as well as upgrades of tanks, armored vehicles and helicopters.
In 2015, AME will launch its research and development laboratory.
Burak Ege Bekdil was the Turkey correspondent for Defense News.
