Ankara, March 13, 2026 – Turkish defense and aviation technology company HAVELSAN has initiated the construction of a new production and integration facility in Ankara, designed to expand its manufacturing capabilities for civil and military flight simulators. The groundbreaking ceremony, attended by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, marked a significant step towards enhancing Turkey’s position in the global flight simulation and aviation training market. The facility is projected to become operational in 2027.
New 17,000 Square Meter Facility in Ankara
HAVELSAN is developing a new 17,000 square meter Flight Simulator Production and Integration Facility in Ankara to meet the growing demand for advanced flight simulation solutions. This strategic investment aims to substantially increase the company’s production capacity in the flight simulation sector.
The foundation stone was laid during a ceremony attended by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and key industry representatives. Upon its completion, the project is expected to significantly enhance HAVELSAN’s ability to produce flight simulators.
Annual Production Capacity to Exceed 30 Simulators
Once the new facility is fully operational, HAVELSAN will have the capability to produce over 30 flight simulators annually. The design of the facility allows for the simultaneous development of 16 simulators across various production and integration stages. Combining this new infrastructure with the existing facilities in Ankara, the company aims to achieve a total capacity of 40 commercial and military simulators, either under development or in operational use.
A Major Hub for Europe and the Middle East
The completion of this new investment is anticipated to transform HAVELSAN into one of the largest full flight simulator production centers in Europe and the Middle East. This development is expected to solidify Turkey’s standing in the global flight simulation and aviation training market, attracting international collaborations and further investments.
Infrastructure for Next-Generation Simulator Technologies
The facility will also serve as a crucial infrastructure for HAVELSAN’s ongoing research and development efforts in next-generation simulator technologies. A key innovation in this regard is the STARVIEW-B collimated image system, developed by HAVELSAN’s image systems team. This system is designed to enhance visual realism and procedural accuracy for pilots in advanced training environments.
The STARVIEW-B system strengthens technological independence in simulator subsystems and is an integral part of HAVELSAN’s strategy to develop globally competitive full flight simulators under its STARLINE FSTD product family.
Scheduled for Service in 2027
The facility, slated to open in 2027, is expected to create hundreds of high-skilled engineering and technical jobs in Ankara. This investment is also projected to make a substantial contribution to Turkey’s broader aviation and defense technology ecosystem.
Simulator Support for Civil and Military Aviation
HAVELSAN has significantly expanded its simulator production activities in recent years. The company provides civil aviation simulator solutions to clients such as Turkish Airlines, SunExpress, and the International Flight Training Center, achieving notable success in export markets.
Furthermore, HAVELSAN supports national aviation projects, including HÜRJET, HÜRKUŞ, KAAN, and T625 GÖKBEY, by supplying simulators and training systems. With over 40 years of experience, HAVELSAN is expected to have delivered more than 400 simulators for over 60 military and civil platforms to national and international users upon the completion of its current order portfolio.
