What Is MDH Makel? Profile of a Turkish CBRN Filter Maker
Quick answer: MDH Makel Teknoloji A.Ş. is a Turkish defense manufacturer founded in 1997 and headquartered in Ümraniye, Istanbul. The company makes Chemical-Biological-Radiological-Nuclear (CBRN) protection systems, Auxiliary Power Units (APU), climate control systems and the combination of the three known as Life Support Units, plus separate Heat Control Systems. Its components are integrated as subsystems into vehicle, ship and system programs run by prime contractors including ASELSAN, FNSS, OTOKAR, STM, BMC and TUSAŞ.
Founding and field of activity
According to membership profiles held by SAHA Istanbul and the OSTİM Defence and Aviation Cluster, Makel Teknoloji was founded in 1997. In its early years the company represented and traded parts manufactured by subcontractors; by 2005 it had ended these commercial activities and shifted entirely to its own manufacturing. Today its field of activity is defined as CBRN filtration and protection systems, auxiliary power units, climate systems, heat control units and control panels. One commercial registry database (EMIS/Dun&Bradstreet) lists the company’s record date as 2007, though the majority of industry sources give 1997 as the founding year.
Where does the “MDH” in the brand name come from?
The “MDH | Makel” brand used on the company’s official website and signage stems from a cooperation agreement signed with the British firm MDH Defence at the 2018 Eurosatory exhibition. Under that agreement, Makel Teknoloji brought in the production technology for the activated carbon filters used in CBRN filtration systems and became capable of manufacturing CBRN filtration systems entirely with domestic resources. The details of the partnership are covered in the IDEF and TÜBİTAK MAM partnership file.
Facilities and certification
The company’s headquarters is in Şerifali neighborhood, Ümraniye, Istanbul. Its production and R&D activity is carried out at the Space and Aviation Specialized Organized Industrial Zone in Kahramankazan, Ankara; according to SAHA Istanbul and OSTİM sources the company operates across a total of three separate facilities in Istanbul and Ankara. Makel Teknoloji holds the AS9100 Rev D quality management certification specific to the aviation and defense sector, and its corporate imagery also shows ASELSAN’s “Supplier Approval Certificate” and a “Hardware Design” qualification document issued to its suppliers.
Product family
The company’s product portfolio can be grouped into four main lines: positive-pressure and hybrid-type CBRN filtration units (MFB-080 and MFMK-MFBK 120), the mask-type filtration series (MFM-020, MFM-040, MFM-080), combined filters (MFK-300, MFK-170, MFK-045) and the heat control unit (IKB-08). All of these are accessible from a single page in the products guide.
The company’s place in the defense industry
MDH Makel’s official “Projects We Have Taken Part In” page lists 19 different programs, including TUSAŞ’s Gökbey helicopter, FNSS’s Kaplan STA and Korkut vehicles, OTOKAR’s Arma Wide and Tulpar vehicles, STM’s Milgem and LST programs, and ASELSAN’s Fırtına howitzer, Redet and Adop projects. The company reports taking part in these programs as a supplier of CBRN protection, auxiliary power or climate/heat control components. Concrete delivery examples are listed in the SSB and Turkish Armed Forces deliveries file.
Frequently asked questions
When was MDH Makel founded?
According to most industry sources, in 1997; one commercial database record shows 2007.
Where is MDH Makel headquartered?
Its head office is in Ümraniye, Istanbul; its production facility is in Kahramankazan, Ankara.
What certifications does MDH Makel hold?
It holds the AS9100 Rev D quality management certification and an ASELSAN Supplier Approval Certificate.
Is the company state-owned or private?
It is a privately held Turkish company; there is no indication it is publicly traded.
How many employees does MDH Makel have?
The company does not disclose this information publicly.
Sources and verification note
This company profile is based on cross-verification of the official website with the SAHA Istanbul, OSTİM and SASAD membership records. Accessed: August 25, 2026.
- https://www.mdhmakel.com/tr/
- https://www.mdhmakel.com/tr/page/hakkimizda
- https://www.sahaistanbul.org.tr/firma/makel-teknoloji-a-s
- https://www.ostimsavunma.org/makel-teknoloji-as-firmasi-511
- https://www.sasad.org.tr/mdh-makel-teknoloji
- https://www.emis.com/php/company-profile/TR/Makel_Teknoloji_AS_en_3345070.html
