The HAVELSAN–TUSAŞ Relationship: Where They Work Together

What is the relationship between HAVELSAN and TUSAŞ? Both companies are defence-industry institutions under the umbrella of the Turkish Armed Forces Foundation (TSKGV); their roles, however, differ. TUSAŞ produces the platforms — aircraft, helicopters, UAVs — while HAVELSAN develops those platforms’ simulators, mission software and command-control layer. This article looks at the projects on which the two companies work together, based on official sources.

For a similar corporate map, see our article on the ASELSAN–HAVELSAN relationship.

Same foundation, different expertise

HAVELSAN and TUSAŞ are complementary, not rivals. TUSAŞ is responsible for the design and production of air platforms such as HÜRJET, HÜRKUŞ, the T129 ATAK, Gökbey and ANKA. HAVELSAN specialises in software-intensive systems: simulation, training, command control and mission software. When a platform enters the hangar, that is TUSAŞ’s side of the job; training the pilot and managing the data is largely HAVELSAN’s.

Simulators: the most visible partnership

The most concrete area of cooperation is simulators. HAVELSAN developed the ATAKSİM full mission simulator for the TUSAŞ-built T129 ATAK and delivered it to Army Aviation. The full mission simulator developed for the HÜRJET jet trainer will be delivered to the Turkish Air Force at the end of 2026, with the software and data packages also being exported to Spain. HAVELSAN has additionally unveiled a simulator for the Gökbey helicopter.

Shoulder to shoulder on Peace Eagle

In the structure providing logistics support to the mission and ground systems of the E-7T Peace Eagle fleet, TUSAŞ, HAVELSAN and Boeing serve together as subcontractors. TUSAŞ takes part with the airframe and integration infrastructure, HAVELSAN with the mission software and ground support segment.

HAVELSAN TUSAŞ cooperation simulators and platforms — TUSAŞ builds the platform; HAVELSAN develops its simulator and mission software. Source: TUSAŞ

The HAVELSAN–TUSAŞ cooperation map

Project	TUSAŞ’s role	HAVELSAN’s role
T129 ATAK	Helicopter production	ATAKSİM full mission simulator
HÜRJET	Aircraft design + production	Full mission simulator + mission planning
Gökbey	Helicopter production	Simulator development
Peace Eagle	Logistics support (airframe/integration)	Mission software + ground support + logistics

Why this model?

Separating the platform manufacturer from the software/simulation house lets each company specialise in its own depth. The model also works together in exports: HAVELSAN’s simulator software accompanies the HÜRJET headed for Spain. In the Turkish defence ecosystem, this complementarity offers a scalable structure compared with models where a single company does everything.