A strategic cooperation agreement aimed at the nationalization of the defense industry has been signed between Makine ve Kimya Endüstrisi A.Ş. (MKE) and Nanografi Nano Teknoloji.
A Strategic Cooperation Protocol Supporting Turkey’s Localization and Nationalization Goals
A strategic cooperation protocol serving Turkey’s defense industry localization and nationalization objectives was signed between Nanografi Nano Teknolojileri A.Ş. (Nanografi)—Turkey’s first nanotechnology company—and Makine ve Kimya Endüstrisi (MKE). Under this protocol, Nanografi Nano Teknolojileri will be responsible for installing the Nitrocellulose Production Line to be built.
SAHA EXPO Hosts an Important Protocol for the Nationalization of the Defense Industry
This year’s SAHA EXPO—Europe’s largest industrial cluster and held for the fourth time—hosted a significant protocol to advance the nationalization of our country’s defense industry. Under the protocol signed between Makine ve Kimya Endüstrisi A.Ş. (MKE) and Nanografi Nano Teknolojileri A.Ş. (Nanografi), the establishment of MKE’s Nitrocellulose Production Line in Kırıkkale will be carried out by Nanografi, which possesses 100% domestically developed technologies. The project marks a major step forward in strengthening Turkey’s defense capabilities. Developed to increase the production of nitrocellulose—one of the core components of military munitions—the project not only reinforces Turkey’s power in the defense industry but also greatly reduces foreign dependency in this strategic manufacturing domain.
Signing Ceremony with the Participation of the Minister of National Defense, Yaşar Güler
The signing ceremony for this highly significant project—vital for the nationalization of defense technologies—took place with the participation of Minister of National Defense Yaşar Güler; MKE Chairman of the Board and Executive Board, Prof. Dr. İzmet Sayhan; and Ahlatcı Holding Chairman of the Board, Ahmet Ahlatcı. With this protocol, Nanografi—the first nanotechnology company in Turkey—will complete the installation of the Nitrocellulose Production Line within a short period of one year, handing it over to MKE by the end of 2025.
MKE Chairman of the Board, Prof. Dr. İsmet Sayhan: “Our Foreign Dependency Will Decrease”
Prof. Dr. İsmet Sayhan, Chairman of the Board and Executive Board of MKE A.Ş., stated:
“This project is one of the most concrete indicators of Turkey’s determination to stand on its own feet in the defense industry. By increasing our national production capacity, we will reduce our foreign dependency and make a significant contribution to our national security.”
Underscoring that MKE is a historical institution that has experienced both world wars and the War of Independence, Sayhan continued:
“Among MKE’s missions is to position itself so it can meet needs under all circumstances, and to provide strength and support to companies operating in the defense industry. It is also our duty to support powerful and globally recognized companies such as Ahlatcı Holding in making critical investments in the defense industry. One of the goals set by our President, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, is to make the defense industry fully local and national. We are implementing this important project with Ahlatcı Holding, which will contribute to this goal and strengthen our national security. This investment not only entails establishing a nitrocellulose production line but also provides opportunities for the development of national technologies. Through this cooperation, we will become less dependent on external resources. We would like to thank Nanografi Nano Teknoloji, a subsidiary of Ahlatcı Holding that has decided to invest in the defense industry, and we hope this investment brings prosperity and success to our country and our nation.”
Ahlatcı Holding Chairman of the Board, Ahmet Ahlatcı: “We Will Achieve a First in Turkey”
Pointing out that the collaboration with MKE will not only enhance Turkey’s defense capabilities but also reinforce its independence and sovereignty, Ahmet Ahlatcı, Chairman of the Board of Ahlatcı Holding, said:
“As a new player in the defense industry, by developing our own local and national technology—and its manufacturing and production processes—we minimize our foreign dependency and increase our global competitiveness. Our defense industry contributes significantly not only to the military domain but also to the broader technology and innovation ecosystem. Through the production of high value-added products, R&D investments, and the capacity to create skilled employment, it lays the groundwork for our country’s economic growth and international partnership opportunities. These strategic steps play a critical role in ensuring our country’s future border security, territorial integrity, and sustainable development. The fair we are participating in today is the clearest evidence of how much progress our country’s local and national initiatives in the defense industry have made in recent years.”
Emphasizing that the defense industry is the guarantor of national security and regional stability for Turkey, Ahlatcı continued:
“With this protocol, we are taking a major step to significantly increase production capacity of the critical chemical raw materials our country needs. With this strategic facility—entirely carried out using local capital, local technology, domestic manpower, and engineering capabilities—we will strengthen the country’s defense industry independence by boosting the domestic production of propellant powders, rocket fuels, and various explosives.”
“We Are Honored to Contribute to Our Country’s Defense Industry”
Highlighting that Nanografi has established one of the world’s largest and highest-performance mass-production facilities for graphene—making it the first company to do so in Turkey and granting it a significant international standing—Ahlatcı stated:
“Guided by science, the company operates in more than 100 countries, continuing to build strategic partnerships with universities, high-tech institutes, and industrial organizations. Moreover, with its adaptable production capacity across different scales and its strong R&D infrastructure, it delivers solutions that meet international quality standards to address industrial needs, taking innovative steps in technology and science. In areas such as advanced materials, energy, chemistry, biotechnology, smart technologies, mechanics, genetics, large-scale engineering projects, national and international industrial facility installations, high-security brand protection technologies, and advanced technology tracking systems, we are expanding the boundaries of scientific and technological applications globally. Through this collaboration with MKE, we are honored to contribute to our country’s defense industry.”
About Ahlatcı Holding
Founded in 1983 in Çorum, Ahlatcı Holding operates more than 60 companies with over 5,000 employees both domestically and internationally, spanning 10 different sectors including energy, healthcare, precious metals, finance, advanced technologies, automotive, aviation, mining, real estate investment, and defense. As of the end of 2023, the Holding and its subsidiaries reached a total asset size of 1.8 trillion Turkish lira, with exports amounting to 6 billion USD. Among Ahlatcı Holding companies, Ahlatcı Kuyumculuk ranked fourth in the Fortune 500 Turkey 2024 list, while Ahlatcı Metal Rafineri ranked 28th, maintaining its place among Turkey’s top 30 most valuable companies.
Nanografi Nano Teknoloji A.Ş., a subsidiary of Ahlatcı Holding and Turkey’s first nanotechnology company, continues to expand its strategic collaborations with universities, high-tech institutes, and industrial organizations worldwide, conducting activities in over 100 countries.