Wherever the Youth Are, HAVELSAN Is There
TEKNOFEST from 2018 to Today

HAVELSAN has been one of the companies providing young people with a unique TEKNOFEST experience each year, starting with the first TEKNOFEST organized in 2018 under the vision of the National Technology Initiative. The first TEKNOFEST in 2018, held at the newly constructed Istanbul Airport, exceeded expectations in both participation and interest. At HAVELSAN’s stand, the parachute simulator and sniper simulator were introduced to the public for the first time in 2018. Additionally, the Swarm UAV Simulation Competition was also organized for the first time under HAVELSAN’s sponsorship and management.

Bayraktar: HAVELSAN is One of Our Most Important Partners

In the TEKNOFEST journey that began six years ago in Istanbul, HAVELSAN has been a key player, primarily showcasing simulation technologies to young people and sponsoring and managing the Swarm UAV Simulation Competition. Over the years, HAVELSAN has evolved into a brand that brings next-generation technologies to TEKNOFEST, in line with the development of its technological competencies.

Speaking to HAVELSAN TV microphones before TEKNOFEST 2019 in Istanbul, Selçuk Bayraktar, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the T3 Foundation, emphasized HAVELSAN’s significant role in TEKNOFEST, which we described as a great team effort. He said “We thank HAVELSAN for its contributions to the National Technology Initiative.”

From Cybersecurity to Simulation, from Education to Games, Fun is at HAVELSAN

That same year, HAVELSAN became a major educational supporter of HackIstanbul, a Practical Cybersecurity and Cryptology Training organized by the Digital Transformation Office of the Presidency of Republic of Türkiye. At its stand, HAVELSAN offered a variety of engaging technological activities, face-to-face candidate interviews and information sessions by the Human Resources Directorate teams and games.

The HAVELSAN stand featured popular attractions such as the parachute simulator, sniper simulator, helicopter simulator, a cyber threat awareness game using augmented reality, and the Pardus Awareness Training, all of which received significant interest and attention.

Autonomous Swarm Technology Presented for the First Time at TEKNOFEST 2019

HAVELSAN also informed the public for the first time about its R&D efforts related to autonomous vehicles at TEKNOFEST 2019. Through demonstrations, we showcased our R&D work on autonomous modules, from perception to control, with the participation of young people. Today, HAVELSAN successfully operates air, land and sea autonomous vehicles together in a swarm concept, with the first indications of this concept presented at TEKNOFEST.

SOLOTÜRK Pilot Capt. Biçer on the Simulation Experience: “Amazing”

The helicopter simulator developed by HAVELSAN was showcased at TEKNOFEST 2019, where thousands of visitors, including one of the SOLOTÜRK pilots, Press and Public Relations Officer Captain Bircan Biçer, had the opportunity to use it. Capt. B,içer described his experience with the simulator as “Very successful, truly an engineering marvel”.”.

Capt. Biçer remarked, “All pilots in the Air Force Command fleet undergo extensive simulator training, and these trainings are very beneficial. For this, I thank HAVELSAN.” He also shared his adrenaline-filled experience as a SOLOTÜRK pilot during shows, saying, “I relieve this excitement every day, and my adrenaline reaches its peak.”

In-Flight Entertainment Systems Introduced for the First Time at TEKNOFEST 2019

TEKNOFEST 2019 marked the first introduction of in-flight entertainment systems developed by HAVELSAN engineers. These systems were showcased at the Cornea Aviation stand, a joint venture between HAVELSAN and Turkish Airlines (THY).

Oktay Tuncer, HAVELSAN’s ELD and Training Services Group Manager, commented on the in-flight entertainment systems, saying, “This system was productized by our engineers. The entire infrastructure was prepared at HAVELSAN. We have created a more modern and up-to-date enternatinment and information system for THY and other civil aviation companies. It includes movies, music, real-time flight information over maps, and games, all presented with high visual quality and user-friendliness.”

A TEKNOFEST in the Midst of the Pandemic with Masks

TEKNOFEST 2020 took place during a period when many events, from trade to sports and from fairs to education, were either canceled or severely limited due to the global Covid-19 pandemic. That year, TEKNOFEST was held in Gaziantep, and HAVELSAN contributed 1,000 computers to the T3 Foundation's campaign, which aimed to provide tablet computers for remote education to children in need.

HAVELSAN General Manager Dr. Mehmet Akif Nacar commented on the campaign, saying, "Contributing to the development of our youth, who are the guarantee of our future, is not only the responsibility of our educational institutions but also of large technology companies like HAVELSAN. We have supported our youth with various educational initiatives so far. During the Covid-19 pandemic, we are taking steps to address the need for access to computers, the primary tool for remote education, and to ensure equal opportunities in education. I thank the T3 Foundation for launching this meaningful campaign and all TEKNOFEST stakeholders for their contributions."

A Gift of ATAKSİM Model to Our President

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan attended TEKNOFEST 2020, held in Gaziantep following mask, social distancing, and hygiene rules. During his visit to the HAVELSAN stand, our General Manager presented him with a model of the ATAKSİM, the Atak Helicopter Simulator, developed by HAVELSAN engineers using national resources.

At TEKNOFEST 2020, the Swarm UAV Simulation Competition was once again one of the most popular events among the youth. Interior Minister Süleyman Soylu, who visited the HAVELSAN stand, remarked, "At every step we take, and with every progress we make, we see and feel HAVELSAN's solutions and support with us." HAVELSAN General Manager Dr. Mehmet Akif Nacar added, "We are advancing our solutions within TEKNOFEST, particularly the Swarm UAV Simulation Competition, to a higher level. We strive to bring innovations to our young people, university students, and stakeholders."

HAVELSAN's Number of Competitions Increased to Three in 2021

TEKNOFEST 2021 was a vibrant, emotional, dynamic, and meaningful event for HAVELSAN. Held in Istanbul, HAVELSAN took on the organization and sponsorship of two additional competitions: the Robotaxi Passenger Autonomous Vehicle Competition and the Hybrid Swarm Simulation Competition, in addition to the Swarm UAV Simulation Competition, which had been held for three years.

Throughout the six-day TEKNOFEST, HAVELSAN Academy offered young people various training sessions and seminars on topics such as Augmented Reality Technology, Robot-Human Interaction, Artificial Intelligence Trends, Everyday Language Artificial Intelligence, the Relationship Between Artificial Intelligence and Social Sciences, and R&D Technologies in the Defense Industry of the Future World, PARDUS Dissemination, and R&D Technologies in the Defense Industry of the Future World. The event also featured workshops, including Innovation Workshop, Find the Cyber Vulnerability Win a Prize, KOVAN Challenge, HAVELSAN Dialog, and the LİMAN Central Management System. These activities included award-winning competitions and idea development workshops, engaging the youth throughout the event.

Sami Dede Won Turkey's Heart with His Prayers

The first prototype version of HAVELSAN's autonomous unmanned ground vehicle BARKAN was showcased at TEKNOFEST 2021, garnering significant interest. A social media post titled "Crazy Turks are coming," featuring BARKAN, also generated considerable buzz. Another highlight on social media was the video of Sami Dede.

Sami Aydemir, a 78-year-old visitor affectionately known as Sami Dede, came to the HAVELSAN stand with his grandson and used the HAVELSAN M60 Tank Simulator. In an emotional interview with HAVELSAN TV microphones, he expressed his joy: "There are helicopters, planes, tanks—all of it. I felt 20 years old, driving a tank. How can I explain? It was so wonderful that I struggle to describe it. We didn’t have anything like this before. But now, I've seen it all. God bless everyone, those who made it, those who made it happen. May your faces never fade in this world, and may God keep us on the right path." This heartfelt interview caught the attention of television channels and was broadcast on national TV, further endearing Sami Dede to the public.

One Nation, Two States, Two TEKNOFESTs in Azerbaijan and Turkey

By 2022, a new and unique TEKNOFEST excitement awaited us. This time, TEKNOFEST was held not only in Turkey but also in Azerbaijan, celebrating the Karabakh Victory and highlighting the unity of our two nations. The year 2022 was memorable for TEKNOFEST Black Sea in Samsun and TEKNOFEST Azerbaijan in Baku.

The first TEKNOFEST of the year took place in May in Baku. HAVELSAN emerged as one of the most impactful companies in our dear Azerbaijan. Our President, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, and the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, visited our stand. They were briefed by our General Manager, Dr. Mehmet Akif Nacar, and our senior management on HAVELSAN’s activities and events within the scope of TEKNOFEST.

Nobel Laureate Aziz Sancar Meets with HAVELSAN Officials

Among the distinguished attendees of TEKNOFEST Azerbaijan was Nobel Laureate Prof. Dr. Aziz Sancar, one of the world's most respected scientists. While reviewing students' projects at the TEKNOFEST competition area, Sancar also met with HAVELSAN Board Member Yüksel Aksöz and Deputy General Manager of Corporate Development Semih Demirtoka. He received information about our technology investments and ongoing projects.

At TEKNOFEST Azerbaijan, an emotional statement made to HAVELSAN TV by an Azerbaijani citizen, saying, "May God protect the Turkish people. Welcome!" garnered significant attention on social media.

We Took 40 Village Children to TEKNOFEST for the First Time

TEKNOFEST Black Sea, held in Samsun, was marked by HAVELSAN’s social responsibility project, "Engineer Child," launched in honor of HAVELSAN's 40th anniversary. As part of the project, the Corporate Communication Directorate and Academy Team Leadership of HAVELSAN, in collaboration with the District Governorate of Yakakent in Samsun, brought 40 children from eight different villages, including Karaaba village, to TEKNOFEST for the first time in their lives.

The President of the Digital Transformation Office of the Presidency of Republic of Türkiye, Dr. Ali Taha Koç, and HAVELSAN General Manager, Dr. Mehmet Akif Nacar, welcomed the children at the HAVELSAN stand. The children, whose eyes sparkled with happiness, had the opportunity to experience technologies they had never seen before at the HAVELSAN stand. Following the project, HAVELSAN established an Engineer Child Technology Classroom at the Karaaba Village school.

BARKAN and Maşa Drew Great Attention

At the HAVELSAN stand, the pose of Maşa, the JÖAK (Gendarmerie Special Operations Command) operational dog, with our unmanned ground vehicle BARKAN, became one of the most liked posts on social media. As part of the Engineer Child Project, a separate section was created at the HAVELSAN stand at TEKNOFEST Black Sea for the first time, where children could experience engineering through the Mars Rover game.

Another first for HAVELSAN at TEKNOFEST Black Sea was the opening of the HAVELSAN Store. The store, which sold models of HAVELSAN products, attracted significant interest in its first year. Additionally, the 7th International Istanbul Invention Awards were presented at TEKNOFEST Black Sea, where HAVELSAN won a total of seven awards: two gold and five bronze.

A Gift for the 100th Year: Three TEKNOFESTs in Istanbul, Ankara, and Izmir

To commemorate the 100th anniversary of our Republic, the T3 Foundation decided to organize TEKNOFEST in three different cities: Istanbul, Izmir, and Ankara. These events were planned to showcase technologies that would once again make our nation and youth proud of our country. However, following the devastating earthquakes in Kahramanmaraş on February 6, 2023, which deeply saddened our entire nation, the first TEKNOFEST event was canceled.

All companies participating in TEKNOFEST mobilized to help heal the nation's wounds after the earthquake. Subsequently, the first TEKNOFEST of 2023 was rescheduled and held in Istanbul at the end of April and the beginning of May. HAVELSAN was once again a standout at this TEKNOFEST, with significant interest in the technologies explained at university stands through HAVELSAN TV microphones, HAVELSAN software on platforms like the ALTAY tank and HÜRJET showcased at the event, simulator experiences, the Engineer Child Workshop, HR interviews, and the Hybrid Swarm Robots Competition.