Link Bilgisayar Joins HAVELSAN's Defense Tech Ecosystem
Turkish software firm Link Bilgisayar has joined the technology ecosystem of HAVELSAN, a major state-owned defense and informatics company. The partnership will focus on developing AI and high-security software. This collaboration signals a strategic move to strengthen Turkey's domestic defense technology capabilities and increase its potential for software exports in the sector.
Established in 1984, Link Bilgisayar is a publicly traded company on the Borsa Istanbul (BIST) under the ticker LINK. The company specializes in business application software, including ERP, HR management, and various e-transformation applications. In December 2023, the firm was acquired by Re-Pie, a portfolio management company. HAVELSAN, founded in 1982 and owned by the Turkish Armed Forces Foundation, is a major player in C4ISR, naval combat systems, simulation technologies, and homeland security. The company is actively expanding its international presence, with operations in nearly 30 countries and collaborations with major global defense contractors. Recently, HAVELSAN has focused on developing autonomous "Digital Troops" and integrating AI across its product lines. This partnership aligns with Turkey's broader national strategy to develop an indigenous and export-oriented defense industry, reducing reliance on foreign suppliers. The country's defense and aerospace exports hit a record $5.5 billion in 2023 and were projected to reach as high as $7.2 billion in 2024. This growth is part of a long-term vision that has increased the share of domestically manufactured military equipment from 20% in 2002 to nearly 80% in 2023. The collaboration is set against the backdrop of Turkey's "National Artificial Intelligence Strategy 2021-2025," which aims to build a sustainable AI ecosystem with global reach. The government, through the Presidency of Defense Industries (SSB), is actively fostering a domestic talent pool and channeling civilian innovation into defense applications through programs like SAYZEK (Defense Industry Artificial Intelligence Talent Cluster). This initiative underscores the strategic importance of AI as a foundational capability for both industrial and defense sectors. For HAVELSAN, this is one of several recent partnerships aimed at technological advancement and market expansion. The company recently partnered with Spain's Alpha Unmanned Systems to introduce its UAV platforms to the Spanish market and with Malaysia's DNeX to introduce its digital transformation platforms and AI tech to Malaysia. These moves signal a strategy of leveraging international cooperation to advance its AI and autonomous systems capabilities. Link Bilgisayar offers a range of software that includes defense-specific applications like critical facility monitoring, border security, and command and control center solutions. This existing portfolio provides a foundational layer of expertise for the joint development of high-security software with HAVELSAN, moving beyond its core of enterprise and productivity software.
