Chairman of the Bursa Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BTSO), İbrahim Burkay, emphasized the need for industrially strong cities to attract investments with a leverage effect, stating, “As BTSO, we are building Bursa’s ecosystem with a vision for the future. GUHEM, which we have brought to Bursa in the field of space and aviation, is one such project. We must position our city among the global leaders in space, defense, and aviation.”
BTSO’s “Sectoral Councils” initiative, aimed at advancing industries through collective wisdom, continues its new-term activities at full pace. The BTSO Defense Industry and Aerospace Council organized a significant workshop to add value to the sector. The Council members, who aim to position Bursa as a hub in the field of civil aerospace, identified sub-working groups to address key objectives such as organizing a specialized summit, producing value-added modules for the defense and aerospace sectors, and enhancing the digitalization levels of firms operating in the industry.
Space Defense and Aerospace Carries a Strategic Importance
İbrahim Burkay, Chairman of the Board of the Bursa Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BTSO), attended the opening session of the workshop held at the Bursa Business School, established by BTSO as a reference education center for the business community. In his address, Chairman Burkay underscored that the world’s top 10 developed economies are also distinguished by their strong presence in sectors such as space, defense, and aerospace. He emphasized that Turkey must sustain its momentum in these fields, driven both by its development goals and the strategic demands of its geographical location. “Bursa is a city with robust industrial capabilities. However, an industrially strong city also requires investments that act as levers for further growth. Under the BTSO umbrella, we have implemented numerous exemplary projects to facilitate the industrial transformation of our city,” stated Chairman Burkay.
We Must Become a Globally Influential City
Chairman İbrahim Burkay emphasized that the Gökmen Space and Aviation Training Center (GUHEM), ranked among the top five centers of its kind globally, is a project befitting Bursa’s industrial strength and future vision. He stated: "Within the scope of our efforts at GUHEM, the largest space, aerospace, and education center in Europe, we have welcomed 70 astronauts and cosmonauts from 34 countries to Bursa. Through our UR-GE projects and cluster initiatives such as BASDEC, our sector has become one of the leading suppliers in the defense industry. Taking a historic step for Bursa in the defense industry, we organized the 'Subcontractor and Supply Chain Management Workshop in the Defense and Aerospace Sector' at Bursa Business School, bringing all key decision-makers together with our companies in the sector. As a result of GUHEM and the projects we have implemented in the fields of space, aerospace and defense, Bursa is now making its mark in strategic areas as well. With this vision, we will organize the International Defense Industry Fair (IDEF), one of the world’s leading events, between July 22–27, 2025, under the coordination of our KFA Fuarcılık company. We are building Bursa’s ecosystem with a future-oriented perspective. Our goal is to position Bursa among the globally influential cities in space, aerospace and defense industries."
The Potential in the Sector is Enormous
Aptullah Saner, Chairman of the BTSO Defense and Aerospace Council, noted that global military expenditures reached $2.4 trillion in 2023, with Turkey accounting for a 0.36% share through $9 billion in spending. He highlighted a similar trend in the aerospace sector, stating, "The sector has immense potential, and we aim to further develop this potential." Saner emphasized that the initiatives carried out under the BTSO umbrella have gained nationwide recognition. He recalled that significant projects such as GUHEM and BBS have been realized in Bursa, alongside supplier meetings in the defense industry. He further announced that a major event like the International Defense Industry Fair (IDEF) will also be held under the coordination of KFA Fuarcılık. "All these efforts add immense value to our sector and involve significant dedication. I extend my gratitude to BTSO Chairman İbrahim Burkay for his vision and unwavering support for our sector. With the backing of BTSO, we aim to establish Bursa as a key hub in civil aviation," Saner stated.
There are 3,500 Companies with Expertise in Bursa
Mustafa Hatipoğlu, Chairman of the Bursa Aerospace and Defense Cluster (BASDEC), stated that 3,500 companies in Bursa are capable of serving the defense industry. He expressed a desire for the number of companies possessing the required certifications in the defense industry to increase. Highlighting the importance of the consortiums established within BASDEC, Hatipoğlu mentioned that they will continue to support Bursa's and Turkey's defense industry advancement through new consortiums in the future. BTSO Defense Industry and Aerospace Council Raises the Bar |
