ASELSAN Announces New Strategic Production Facility in Nakhchivan

Ender Öztürk

October 2, 2026

At the ADEX 2026 defense exhibition, Turkish defense giant ASELSAN and Azerbaijan-based NOVASIS MMC officially signed a preliminary protocol to establish a strategic production facility in Nakhchivan. This significant partnership, which also involves ASELSAN BAKÜ, marks a major milestone in strengthening Azerbaijan’s defense industrial capabilities. By transitioning from a traditional supplier model to a localized production framework, the project aims to integrate advanced Turkish technology into the Azerbaijani defense sector. This initiative represents a core advancement in the bilateral defense relations between Turkey and Azerbaijan, fostering regional security through technological sovereignty and shared manufacturing expertise.

Advanced Systems Are Targeted for Local Production

The proposed facility is expected to serve as a hub for the production of critical defense hardware. According to details shared by ASELSAN and reinforced by SSB President Haluk Görgün, the site will prioritize the assembly and manufacturing of LGK laser guidance kits, TOLUN precision-guided munitions, and the KORKUT air defense system.

Rather than merely importing finished products, the Azerbaijani defense industry will gain the infrastructure required to produce these sophisticated systems domestically. This shift is expected to bolster the operational readiness of the Azerbaijani armed forces by ensuring a more reliable supply chain and providing the capability to customize systems for existing and future platforms, including unmanned aerial vehicles and combat aircraft.

Technology Transfer Drives Future Growth

A central pillar of the Nakhchivan agreement involves comprehensive technology transfer. ASELSAN plans to share its manufacturing expertise to ensure that the facility operates at international standards. This knowledge transfer is not limited to hardware; it encompasses the development of a highly skilled local workforce capable of maintaining and evolving these defense technologies independently.

By cultivating human capital, the agreement ensures that the benefits of this partnership extend far beyond the initial infrastructure investment. The initiative aims to create a sustainable defense ecosystem in the region, allowing for long-term integration with modern aerial platforms and ground-based tactical systems.

Defense Cooperation Reaches New Levels

The establishment of this production site is a cornerstone of the broader defense cooperation agreements finalized at ADEX 2026. With the total value of these collective agreements exceeding 500 million dollars, Turkey and Azerbaijan are cementing their status as strategic partners in the defense arena. Other notable collaborations include procurement and development agreements involving TUSAŞ’s HÜRKUŞ-II aircraft, ROKETSAN’s BARBAROS coastal defense systems, and BAYKAR’s advanced drone solutions.

While many of these agreements focus on procurement, the ASELSAN-NOVASIS partnership stands out for its emphasis on creating permanent manufacturing infrastructure. The project underscores a commitment to regional stability and industrial self-reliance. While specific details regarding the exact investment volume and the official inauguration date have not yet been disclosed, the commitment from both nations remains firm as they move toward the implementation phase.

We value your perspective on the strengthening defense ties between Turkey and Azerbaijan; please share your thoughts on how this new production facility in Nakhchivan will influence regional security dynamics in the comments section below.