CTech celebrates 20 years of success in defense and aerospace

CTech, a Turkish company that specializes in communication, cybersecurity, modeling and simulation technologies, was founded on January 31, 2005. As it marks its 20th anniversary, CTech reflects on its journey from a venture capital firm to a leading player in defense, aerospace, telecommunications, and space industries, making significant contributions with its locally produced and innovative technologies.

Originally established as a venture capital firm, CTech transitioned into the development of advanced communication and avionics systems for land, air, sea, and space platforms. In 2018, it became a subsidiary of Turkish Aerospace Industries (TUSAŞ), significantly bolstering its position in the sector. The company started its operations in a 300-square-meter office in Istanbul, and over the years, it expanded to a 5,500-square-meter facility employing 260 professionals.

Dr. Cüneyd Fırat, the CEO of CTech, shared insights about the company's evolution during its 20th-anniversary celebrations. He emphasized the steady growth the company has experienced, starting from a small office in Anadoluhisarı, Istanbul, and expanding to various locations, including Teknopark Istanbul and Bilkent Cyberpark in Ankara. Underlining the company’s mission to be a pioneering force in Türkiye and a competitive player globally, Fırat stated, “We have transformed from a core team into a large-scale company, with our indigenous technologies used securely both in Türkiye and abroad.” One of CTech’s flagship products, the SecureARX satellite communication terminal, has been crucial for the Turkish Armed Forces (TAF) and NATO. Fırat explained that the development of SecureARX began in 2006, focusing on secure satellite communication with high resistance to jamming. By 2014, it became the preferred satellite communication solution for the Turkish military, and in 2024, it won a major NATO tender for Electronic Countermeasure-resistant Satellite Communication Ground Systems. In addition to its defense contributions, CTech has made significant strides in space technology. The company was involved in the development of Türkiye's first indigenous communication satellite, TÜRKSAT 6A, which is set to launch in 2024. Fırat highlighted that CTech played a critical role in the Telemetry, Telecommand, and Ranging (TTM) subsystem, which is crucial for the satellite's communication. This collaboration with Turkish Aerospace, ASELSAN, and TÜBİTAK UZAY (TÜBİTAK SPACE) contributed to raising the satellite's local content rate to over 80%. In 2021, CTech successfully exported Türkiye's first space-qualified product to Thales Alenia Space.

On the subject of CTech’s contributions to unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), Fırat detailed the company’s involvement with the SkyARX satellite communication terminal, which has been integrated into TUSAŞ’s ANKA UAV. With over 300,000 flight hours, this terminal played a significant role in operations, including emergency response efforts such as the 2023 Kahramanmaraş earthquake.

Looking forward, CTech has ambitious plans for global expansion. The company is currently supplying its products to more than 15 countries and aims to open international offices and form new partnerships in the coming decade. Fırat stated, “Our products are positioned to serve NATO and international markets, especially with our Electronic Countermeasure-resistant satellite modems, which have interoperability potential with all NATO member countries. Our goal is to expand our presence in the global market and establish CTech as a world-leading brand in our fields.”

Fırat concluded, “Our journey has been defined by the strong leadership of our team, which we call ‘Leaders of the Horizon.’ Together, we continue to produce local technologies for the future of our country and our nation, breaking new frontiers along the way.”

With 20 years of experience in the defense, aerospace, and telecommunications industries, CTech continues to develop technologies that support both domestic and international defense capabilities, positioning itself as a key player in these fields.