Baykar is the company responsible for Kızılelma, an unlaunched swarm grenade, stealth and equipped with artificial intelligence, designed to combat ar-ar, attacks on solo and naval operations, including failures launched from naval platforms.. The program is considered one of the most advanced examples of the transition to autonomous combat systems, identifying a structural change in air warfare.
Nuno Melo confirmed that Portugal intends to follow this path by learning from external examples.”In Portugal we also want to go this way to our staircase. I believe that when we learn about experiences, we can best identify our goals in relation to the future.”
The Minister destacou ainda economic and demographic impact of this type of investment.
“This type of investment helps us get skilled, well-paid, young people and helps us think strategically about the future.”
Some ideas that have been repeated for a long time have changed the paradigm of defense policy: less isolated purchases, more industrial equipment, maintenance and national production. “We don’t buy equipment. Let’s buy life cycles. We want to buy satellites, but we also want to make satellites. We buy armored vehicles, but we also manufacture armored vehicles. Let’s get frigates, but let’s launch the Arsenal of Alfeite.’
About the future of the national industry I can further explain:
“It was only recently that we began our efforts to build military aircraft from A to Z. This was unthinkable for some time in the future.
And here’s a look at territorial cohesion and I always have a qualification:
“Aircraft manufacturing means an aerospace cluster. How many companies should we lean into once, create research and flight positions?”
For Nuno Melo, the relationship with Turkey is not only an acquisition possibility, but also a business opportunity for Portugal.
“In Turkey, you can also buy an eagle that is produced in Portugal. We are a manufacturer, we also want to sell it. If we participate in the production of the KC-390, we also want to sell it. And in Turkey, since we are not, it is also an option. Portugal is not an investment area. Portugal is a production area.”
Leave a Reply