HAVELSAN Launches Innovative Flight Simulator Hub to Boost Manufacturing in Europe and the Middle East
HAVELSAN, a prominent flight simulator manufacturer based in Ankara, Türkiye, recently commenced construction on a state-of-the-art flight simulator production and integration facility. This new development aims to significantly boost the company’s capacity for both civil and military flight simulators.
The ceremony marking the groundbreaking of the expansive 17,000-square-meter facility was led by the President of Türkiye, Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Key figures present included HAVELSAN Chairman Prof. Dr. Hacı Ali Mantar and CEO Dr. Mehmet Akif Nacar, along with senior government officials and industry leaders.
Upon completion, the new Simulator Production and Integration Facility is set to produce over 30 flight simulators each year. It will enable HAVELSAN to simultaneously develop up to 16 simulators at different production stages. With this addition to HAVELSAN’s existing infrastructure, the company’s overall capacity will rise to a remarkable 40 commercial and military simulators in development and operation at any given time.
This expansion will solidify HAVELSAN’s status as the largest full flight simulator production center in both Europe and the Middle East. It further underscores Türkiye’s growing significance in the global flight simulation and aviation training sectors.
The facility will be at the forefront of HAVELSAN’s next-generation simulator technologies, including the advanced STARVIEW-B collimated display system. This system, developed by HAVELSAN’s Display Systems team, offers high-fidelity visual representations that significantly enhance pilot immersion and procedural accuracy in sophisticated training environments. The STARVIEW-B marks a pivotal move toward achieving greater technological independence in simulator subsystems, aligning with HAVELSAN’s commitment to developing globally competitive full flight simulators through the STARLINE FSTD product portfolio.
Projected to be operational by 2027, the facility is expected to generate hundreds of high-skilled engineering and technical job opportunities in the Ankara region, thereby fortifying Türkiye’s aviation and defense technology landscape.
In recent times, HAVELSAN has expanded its simulator production efforts to support the domestic commercial aviation sector, collaborating with esteemed clients such as Turkish Airlines, SunExpress, and IFTC.
Moreover, HAVELSAN is instrumental in national aerospace programs including HÜRJET, HÜRKUŞ, KAAN, and GÖKBEY. With a legacy of over 40 years in manufacturing and delivering flight simulators across various platforms, HAVELSAN is on track to deliver more than 400 simulators for over 60 military and civil platforms for both national and international clientele, upon completing its existing backlog.
