What is BİTES? ASELSAN’s software and simulation arm
Quick answer: BİTES Savunma Havacılık ve Uzay Teknolojileri (BİTES Defence, Aerospace and Space Technologies) is a defense software, simulation and training technology company based at the METU Technopolis technology park in Ankara, Turkey. Founded in 2005, it came under the umbrella of ASELSAN, Turkey’s largest defense electronics manufacturer, in February 2019; when the remaining shares were acquired in October 2023 it became a wholly owned ASELSAN subsidiary. BİTES works in four main fields: training and simulation systems, defense systems, avionics software, and technology and business solutions. Its best-known products include the ATOK Military Tactical Operation Kit, the four-legged robot TAZI and the Bright Sight see-through-armor system.
What does BİTES do?
The company describes itself as an ASELSAN subsidiary developing software, training simulations, augmented reality and avionics solutions for defense and aerospace. Its official product catalog is organized under four headings:
- Training and Simulation Systems: mission simulators, embedded simulations, fault diagnosis and maintenance training systems, mixed reality training solutions, digital assessment systems
- Defense Systems: ATOK, TAZI, Bright Sight, the Virtual Sandbox, the Video Management System and the ALTAY Data Management System
- Technology and Business Solutions: the digital twin platform together with software products such as XperLMS and BizBize
- Avionics and Mission Systems: safety-critical software development and testing, navigation, digital mapping and mission planning, and ground control station software for unmanned systems
When was it founded, and how did it grow?
According to the company’s official corporate history, BİTES was set up in 2005 on the back of the HELSIM I Program-II contract and spent its early years on helicopter simulation work packages. From 2009 onward it shifted its weight toward defense and aerospace software. In 2014 it took on the computer-based and virtual maintenance training (WBT-VMT) program for the T129 ATAK attack helicopter, a Turkish-built rotorcraft. The company states that it made its first export sales to Germany in 2012, to Airbus D&S in 2015, to the Middle East in 2017 and to the United States helicopter manufacturer Sikorsky in 2018; the details are examined in the BİTES export file.
Who owns BİTES? The ASELSAN subsidiary structure
ASELSAN acquired a 51 percent stake in BİTES in February 2019; according to reports at the time, BİTES became ASELSAN’s eleventh domestic subsidiary. In October 2023 ASELSAN bought the remaining 49 percent and BİTES became a wholly owned subsidiary. The company’s own timeline likewise uses the phrase “100 percent ASELSAN subsidiary” for 2023.
| Year | Development |
|---|---|
| 2005 | Founding; HELSIM I Program-II contract |
| 2014 | T129 ATAK WBT-VMT training program |
| 2012-2018 | First exports to Germany, Airbus D&S, the Middle East and Sikorsky |
| February 2019 | ASELSAN acquired a 51 percent stake |
| October 2023 | ASELSAN bought the remaining 49 percent to become sole owner |
| October 2025 | Yıldırım Azizoğlu appointed general manager |
The company’s current headcount and revenue figures have not been officially disclosed. Reports on the 2019 takeover referred to a specialist staff of roughly 100 people.
Management
The company has been run since October 2025 by Yıldırım Azizoğlu, who previously spent seven years as ASELSAN’s Information Technologies Director. Uğur Coşkun led the company from its founding period until November 2023; Erinç Albayrak served in an acting capacity in the interim, and Cemil Sağıroğlu held the post substantively from December 2023 to October 2025. Azizoğlu’s career is covered in the Yıldırım Azizoğlu profile.
Leading products and projects
According to the project tables on its official product pages, BİTES has worked with ASELSAN, HAVELSAN, ROKETSAN and FNSS on programs including the crew training system for the ALTAY main battle tank, Turkey’s domestically developed tank, the flight simulator for the GÖKBEY general-purpose helicopter, and training material for the SİPER long-range air defense system and the HİSAR-O medium-altitude air defense system. The company states that the ALTAY Data Management System was integrated onto the ALTAY tank in 2023. On the avionics side, its official website lists safety-critical software development, independent verification and validation (IV&V), and platform cyber security work for the KAAN national combat aircraft. A full breakdown of the portfolio is available in the BİTES product guide.
Recent developments
- July 2025: BİTES exhibited four-legged robots in different payload and mission configurations at IDEF 2025, Turkey’s largest defense fair (Anadolu Agency, Turkey’s state-run news agency).
- October 2025: Yıldırım Azizoğlu took over as general manager.
- April 2026: ATOK was used at the International Anatolian Phoenix-2026 exercise in Konya for unit situational awareness and close air support coordination (Anadolu Agency).
- May 2026: The company took part in the SAHA Istanbul 2026 fair at the ASELSAN Pavilion.
Frequently asked questions
Who owns BİTES?
All shares have belonged to ASELSAN since October 2023; BİTES is a 100 percent ASELSAN subsidiary.
When was BİTES founded?
According to the company’s official history, in 2005, with the HELSIM I Program-II contract.
Where is BİTES located?
Its head office is in the Çankaya district of Ankara, at the METU Technopolis Information Technologies Innovation Center.
What is the best-known BİTES product?
On the military side, the ATOK tactical operation kit and the TAZI robot; on the corporate side, the BizBize video conferencing application has drawn the most public attention.
Who is the general manager of BİTES?
Yıldırım Azizoğlu, since October 2025.
How many people does BİTES employ, and what is its revenue?
Current headcount and revenue have not been officially disclosed; reports in 2019 referred to a staff of roughly 100.
Sources and verification note
- https://bites.com.tr/tr/about — founding, corporate history, categories (Accessed: August 12, 2026)
- https://www.yenisafak.com/ekonomi/aselsan-bites-savunmayi-satin-aldi-4570436 — 2019 takeover, 51 percent, staff (Accessed: August 12, 2026)
- https://tskgv.org.tr/aselsan-istirakleri-arasina-bites-savunmayi-ekledi — eleventh subsidiary detail (Accessed: August 12, 2026)
- https://www.savunmasanayist.com/aselsan-bitesin-butun-hisselerini-aldi/ — full takeover, October 2023 (Accessed: August 12, 2026)
- https://ssbulten.com.tr/gundem/detay/bitesin-yeni-genel-muduru-yildirim-azizoglu–5272 — general manager appointment (Accessed: August 12, 2026)
- https://www.aa.com.tr/tr/idef-2025/bites-robot-kopeklerle-urettigi-cozumlerle-idef-2025te/3639769 — IDEF 2025 (Accessed: August 12, 2026)
- https://www.aa.com.tr/tr/ekonomi/atok-uluslararasi-anadolu-ankasi-2026-tatbikatinda-performansiyla-one-cikti/3910342 — Anatolian Phoenix-2026 (Accessed: August 12, 2026)
- https://bites.com.tr/tr/news — SAHA 2026 participation (Accessed: August 12, 2026)
Data the company has not made public, such as revenue, current headcount and the pre-partnership shareholding structure, has not been estimated in this file.
