R&D products will be developed in satellite technologies with Türkiye-China partnership

The 77th International Astronautical Congress (IAC 2026), organized by the International Astronautical Federation (IAF), of which Anadolu Agency (AA) is the "Global Communication Partner", continues at Antalya NEST Congress Center, hosted by the Turkish Space Agency (TUA) and SAHA Istanbul, under the coordination of the Ministry of Industry and Technology.

While Turkish companies introduce their products within the scope of the congress, important agreements are also signed with international partners.

According to the information obtained by the AA correspondent, in this context, a comprehensive protocol for technology production was signed between TÜRKSAT and China-based satellite operator China Satcom.

At the ceremony at the TÜRKSAT stand, the protocol was signed by TÜRKSAT Satellite Services Deputy General Manager Selman Demirel and China Satcom CEO Ma Haiquan.

The agreement aims to bring together the engineering know-how of the two countries, targeting R&D, product development and commercialization.

Innovative products and solutions will be developed

Thus, the partnership, which started with capacity sharing between the two institutions last year, was expanded with the decisions taken at the World Space Business Week in Paris.

With the process now moving directly to the hardware and software development phase, a new era has begun between Türkiye and China, focusing on joint R&D and production in space technologies.

With this agreement with China, it is planned to produce UAV communication systems, satellite-based internet of things and smart border security technologies in partnership with TÜRKSAT and China Satcom.

With the agreement, TÜRKSAT will further expand its solution portfolio by carrying its current ability to develop end-to-end satellite and communication solutions to new technology and application areas.

Within the scope of this cooperation, which extends from the analysis of market needs to the development of the first prototypes, from testing and verification processes to commercialization, Turkish and Chinese engineers will work together to develop innovative products and solutions.

TÜRKSAT will be one of the most powerful technology suppliers

Other critical areas of the agreement include smart border security and internet of things (IoT) technologies. In this context, it was aimed to produce special devices for geographies where there are no terrestrial communication networks.

Hardware that will enable devices used in sectors such as energy, agriculture and logistics to be managed via satellite, even in deserted regions where mobile networks are not available, will also be designed within the scope of the agreement.

While the inadequacy of terrestrial communication infrastructure in many regions of the world creates a huge gap in both countries' border security and industrial data flow, with this agreement in partnership with TÜRKSAT and China Satcom, smart satellite tracking and IoT systems that can transfer instant data even in the most difficult geographies where base stations or fiber networks cannot reach will be developed.

TÜRKSAT will be one of the strongest technology suppliers in the global ecosystem with these integrated hardware and software solutions it will offer via satellite.

On the other hand, in order to ensure healthy R&D and product development activities, a Joint Steering Committee will be established in which the two institutions will be equally represented, and the work to be done will be evaluated quarterly.