When Was ROKETSAN Founded? 14 June 1988, Ankara
ROKETSAN was founded on 14 June 1988 in Ankara. The decision to establish the company was taken by the Defense Industry Executive Committee, Turkey’s top defence-procurement body. Its purpose was to create a national pioneer capable of designing, developing and producing rockets and missiles domestically. The company was structured as a corporation under the Turkish Armed Forces Foundation (TSKGV).
| ROKETSAN founding — At a Glance | |
|---|---|
| Full name | ROKETSAN Roket Sanayii ve Ticaret A.Ş. |
| Founding date | 14 June 1988 |
| Place founded | Ankara |
| Decided by | Defense Industry Executive Committee |
| Purpose | Domestic design, development and production of rockets and missiles |
| Legal structure | Corporation under the TSKGV foundation |
| Headquarters | Ankara (production/test: Elmadag) |
| Listing status | Not publicly traded |
When was ROKETSAN founded?
ROKETSAN’s founding date is 14 June 1988. The company was established in Ankara by decision of the Defense Industry Executive Committee. That date marks one of the concrete steps in Turkey’s effort to build a domestic capability in rocket and missile technologies.
The founding meant far more than the opening of a single factory. It represented the creation of a pioneering industrial organisation dedicated to rockets and missiles. From the outset, the company aimed to become a national centre of excellence in critical areas such as guided munitions, rocket motors and complete missile systems.
Who founded ROKETSAN, and by what decision?
The founding decision was taken by the Defense Industry Executive Committee, the highest body that sets Turkey’s defence-procurement and industrialisation priorities. ROKETSAN was one of the pioneer organisations established within that framework.
Legally, the company was structured as a joint-stock corporation under the Turkish Armed Forces Foundation (TSKGV). To this day the majority of ownership rests with TSKGV; ROKETSAN is not publicly listed and does not trade on any stock exchange. The founding therefore combined a state-backed foundation structure with the operation of a commercial company.
The table below summarises the verified core facts about ROKETSAN’s founding.
Why was ROKETSAN founded in 1988?
Through the 1980s, Turkey made reducing its dependence on foreign suppliers and developing critical technologies at home a strategic priority. Rocket and missile systems were among the most sensitive of these areas, because such technologies are both prone to export restrictions and decisive for deterrence.
ROKETSAN was founded on 14 June 1988 to meet exactly this need. Its mission was to build an integrated capability spanning design through production in the rocket and missile field. Over time this gave the country an industrial base able to develop its own solutions across a wide spectrum, from guided rockets and ballistic missiles to air-defence and anti-tank systems.
How did ROKETSAN develop after its founding?
In the years after its establishment, ROKETSAN first built expertise in rockets and guided munitions, then moved into missile technologies. Its main production and test activities became concentrated at the Elmadag facility near Ankara.
Today the company is one of Turkey’s leading missile and rocket producers, with roughly 5,000 employees — about 2,000 of them in R&D. Its product family ranges from the ATMACA anti-ship missile to the HISAR and SIPER air-defence systems, and from the TAYFUN ballistic missile to the CIRIT guided rocket. For the detailed timeline of its development, see the ROKETSAN history page.
ROKETSAN’s founding date (14 June 1988), place (Ankara) and deciding body (Defense Industry Executive Committee) are drawn from official and open sources. The wider policy context behind the founding is presented as general background.
Frequently Asked Questions
When was ROKETSAN founded?
ROKETSAN was founded on 14 June 1988.
Where was ROKETSAN founded?
The company was founded in Ankara. Its main production and test activities are carried out at the Elmadag facility near the city.
Who founded ROKETSAN?
The founding decision was taken by the Defense Industry Executive Committee. The company was structured as a joint-stock corporation under the Turkish Armed Forces Foundation (TSKGV).
Why was ROKETSAN founded?
It was founded to create a national pioneer capable of designing, developing and producing rockets and missiles, and to reduce Turkey’s dependence on foreign suppliers in this field.
How old is ROKETSAN?
Based on its founding date of 14 June 1988, ROKETSAN is 38 years old as of 2026.
Is ROKETSAN a publicly traded company?
No. ROKETSAN is majority-owned by the TSKGV foundation and is not listed on any stock exchange.
Sources
- ROKETSAN official — roketsan.com.tr
- Turkish Armed Forces Foundation — tskgv.org.tr
- Anadolu Agency and Daily Sabah reports (2026)
