The Ministry of National Defence (Turkish MoD) marked the 8th anniversary of ASFAT (Askeri Fabrika ve Tersane İşletme A.Ş.), established to utilise idle capacity in military factories and shipyards while strengthening Türkiye’s defence exports.
ASFAT was founded eight years ago to consolidate production capabilities across military factories and naval shipyards, with a mandate to improve efficiency, modernisation and export performance.
Over the past eight years, ASFAT has delivered multiple defence projects spanning naval and land domains. Among its shipbuilding efforts, the company oversaw construction of Hisar-class offshore patrol vessels (OPVs) at the Istanbul Naval Shipyard Command. Under the programme, Akhisar was exported to Romania, while TCG Seferihisar entered service with the Turkish Naval Forces.
ASFAT is also a key stakeholder in Türkiye’s MILGEM exports. For Pakistan, a total of four PN MILGEM corvettes are being built under the programme: two were constructed in Istanbul, while construction of the remaining two ships continues in Karachi.
Beyond naval platforms, ASFAT has supported domestic production of guided munitions and military systems, including HGK guidance kits for the Turkish Air Force air to surface bombs, and MEMATT for the Turkish Land Forces.
An anniversary reception was held as part of ASFAT’s 8th year celebrations, attended by senior defence and military leadership including Chief of the General Staff Gen Selçuk Bayraktaroğlu and Secretary of the Secretariat of Defence Industries Haluk Görgün, alongside senior service commanders. A message from Minister of National Defence Yaşar Güler was read during the event, followed by speeches delivered by Gen Bayraktaroğlu, Haluk Görgün, Turkish MoD Deputy Minister and ASFAT Board Chairman Musa Heybet, and ASFAT General Manager Mustafa İlbaş.
Author: Özgür Ekşi
