Established in 1985, Undersecretariat of Defense connected to the Ministry of Defense undertakes two basic tasks:
• Modernization of Turk Armed Forces (Procurement)
• Development of modern defense industry (Research – Development)  

Planning R&D activities upon defense technologies, orienting, encouraging and supporting these activities are other fundamental tasks of Undersecretariat of Defense.

Following criteria are sought for R&D activities which will be supported:
• Coherence of main system project with the aim and needs,
• Domestic content,
• Eligibility of creating a prudential technology infrastructure,
• Collaboration level between industry, university, experimental institute and SMEs.


Aims of Undersecretariat of Defense and “Defense R&D Roadmap”
Defense industry has reached to the phase of developing domestic products after the experiences in co-production and in the last 10 years, a large number of system and equipment with high technology are offered for the utilization of Turk Armed Forces, some of which are exported to different countries.

Coverage ratio of the defense system’s needs from domestic is around 35-40% and this level is not enough. Undersecretariat of Defense aims to increase the ratio up to 50% until the year 2010.

It is essential that a realistic calendar and a planned study should be put for consideration in order to meet the target. Such kind of study started with a title of “Defense R&D Roadmap” in 2006. The majority of the announced technology areas as an issue of defense R&D competition are discussed within the scope of this study. Within the framework of this planning which is in the completion phase, 12 Center of Excellence will be established in specified significant technology areas.

The followings are intended with Defense R&D Roadmap and Center of Excellences:
• To drive out a detailed breakdown of non-existent sub-system technologies in our country by having regard to the needs of Turk Armed Forces’ defense system,
• To create and develop such a structuring that will develop these technologies,
• To determine principles and procedures which will succeed in needed technology, within the created structuring,
• To create, expand, orient and pursue technology base which will be needed in national development project through creating R&D projects.