The program opened with remarks by Prof. Dr. Hamit Ersoy, Ambassador of the Republic of Türkiye to Brunei Darussalam. This was followed by a general presentation by Göknur Esra Hasbay on ASELSAN's areas of activity and technological capabilities.
Umut Erdem Kılınç presented ASELSAN's Naval Defense Systems, while Hüseyin Karaybeyli introduced Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems (C-UAS), and Usame Yusuf Gürbüz presented Base and Border Security Systems. As part of the program, Onur Aykaç also delivered a presentation on ASELSAN.NET's activities, solutions and technological capabilities.
Representatives from Brunei's Ministry of Defense, the Centre for Science and Technology Research and Development (CSTRAD), the Directorate of Force Capability Development (DFCD), the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF), the Royal Brunei Land Forces (RBLF), the Royal Brunei Air Force (RBAirF), and the Royal Brunei Navy (RBN) attended the morning session of the event.
The afternoon session focused not only on defense technologies but also on technological applications in public security and civilian fields. Representatives from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MOHA), Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), Ministry of Transport and Infocommunications (MTIC), Internal Security Department (ISD), Royal Brunei Police Force (RBPF), Department of Civil Aviation (DCA), Land Transport Department (LTD), Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), Prime Minister's Office (PMO), Authority for Info-communications Technology Industry (AITI), Department of Immigration and National Registration, Brunei Engineering, Logistics and Training Solutions (BELTS), and National Disaster Management Centre (NDMC) attended the session.
Speaking at the opening of the event, Ambassador Prof. Dr. Hamit Ersoy emphasized that the Defense Industry Day should be viewed not merely as an event for showcasing products, systems and services, but as an opportunity to develop a new area of cooperation between Türkiye and Brunei encompassing defense technology, innovation and industrial development.
Ambassador Ersoy noted that Türkiye-Brunei relations, which have developed on the basis of mutual respect, friendship and trust, have extended beyond political and diplomatic ties into a wide range of areas, including education, culture, trade, investment and people-to-people exchanges.
Ambassador Ersoy stressed that cooperation in the defense industry should not be confined to a traditional buyer-seller relationship. He said the two countries should move beyond the question of "What can Türkiye sell to Brunei?" and instead focus on "What can Türkiye and Brunei build together?"
He noted that Türkiye's approach to defense industry cooperation is based on trust, technology, know-how, training, local capacity-building and a long-term partnership vision.
In this context, Ambassador Ersoy stated that technology sharing, training, technical know-how, maintenance capabilities and human resource development should be integral components of the cooperation. He noted that ASELSAN, ASELSAN.NET and relevant Bruneian institutions could cooperate in areas including technical and vocational training, internship and student programs, joint training activities, exchange programs between Turkish and Bruneian engineers, research and development, cybersecurity, digital technologies, and the development of local maintenance and technical support capabilities.
Highlighting Brunei's political stability, strategic location and strong ties with ASEAN, Ambassador Ersoy said the country has the potential to become, over the long term, a regional technology and manufacturing hub serving broader markets across the Asia-Pacific.
He noted that opportunities could be explored in commercially and strategically suitable areas for products to be manufactured and assembled in Brunei, with maintenance and after-sales services provided locally, before being supplied to regional markets.
Ersoy noted that, in this way, Türkiye's technological expertise, engineering capabilities and industrial experience could complement Brunei's strategic location and human resources. He emphasized that such an approach could also contribute to the objectives of Wawasan (Vision) Brunei 2035, particularly in developing a skilled workforce, creating quality employment opportunities, promoting innovation and achieving sustainable economic diversification.
Addressing the importance of defense technologies in civilian applications, Ambassador Ersoy noted that technologies developed in areas such as cybersecurity, secure communications, artificial intelligence, software, electronics, sensors, telecommunications, unmanned technologies and advanced manufacturing also offer significant potential for use in civilian sectors.
He stated that, for this reason, cooperation initiated in the defense industry could serve as a catalyst for the development of a broader technology and innovation ecosystem.
Ambassador Ersoy said that the Türkiye-Brunei technology partnership could be advanced through a three-stage approach. In the short term, he proposed identifying products, systems and services that could address Brunei's existing needs; in the medium term, developing capabilities in training, maintenance, technology transfer, research and human resources; and in the long term, exploring opportunities for joint production, local manufacturing, and establishing Brunei as a regional technology and manufacturing hub for selected products.
Building on the presentations and discussions held on September 15, the meetings included more detailed assessments of concrete areas of cooperation and potential joint initiatives that could be pursued in the future.
Following the Defense Industry Day, engagements continued with a series of bilateral meetings on September 16, 2026. The ASELSAN and ASELSAN.NET delegation visited Brunei's E-Government National Centre, Cyber Security Brunei and the Royal Brunei Police Force (RBPF) at their respective premises, holding separate meetings with representatives of each institution.
Calling for the excellent relations between Türkiye and Brunei to be transformed into strong and sustainable technological and industrial cooperation, Ambassador Ersoy expressed his hope that these engagements would lead to concrete projects between ASELSAN, ASELSAN.NET and relevant institutions in Brunei Darussalam.
In his remarks, Ersoy called for the two countries to "be partners in technology, capability development and joint production in suitable areas." He thanked Brunei's Ministry of Defense and all Bruneian institutions that participated in the event for their interest, cooperation and hospitality.
