By Stijn Mitzer and Joost Oliemans
During the 2021 edition of Teknofest in Istanbul it was announced that Turkey intends to organise its Teknofest technology festival in other countries as well. [1] Several nations come to mind that maintain a strong relationship with Turkey and are a recipient of Turkish arms and technology, including unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). One such country is Azerbaijan, which has made significant investments in the acquisition and production of various types of unmanned weapon systems and is currently looking to expand on its domestic technology base.
While sometimes described as an airshow for the large number of aerial displays and aircraft taking part in the festivities, Teknofest is more accurately described as a technology festival, aiming to generate interest among students and children and to have them participate in technology competitions. The scope of these competitions is hard to overestimate, including anything from a combat UAV competition to designing electric cars and even competitions to come up with technology that could benefit the health and agricultural sectors. [2]
Inspiring the next generation of engineers is crucial for Turkey to keep up its advances in the sphere of technology and defence, and also to ensure lasting growth of other relevant high tech fields. Turkey currently has the 20th-largest nominal GDP in the world, and aims to become become one of the world's top 10 economies. [3] Driving further technological progress is crucial to attain this goal. In 2022, Turkey is set to reap the benefits of its investments in high tech, when mass production of country's first indigenously-designed electric train and the TOGG national electric car are scheduled to commence. [4] [5]
In 2009 Azerbaijan kickstarted its own high-technology environment when it established the Science Development Foundation. [6] This organisation seeks to support Azerbaijan's local technology base by coordinating scientific projects and providing support to companies working in the high-tech industry. [7] Innovation is vital to sustain Azerbaijan's economical growth and build the foundation for a diversified economy away from oil and gas. Investing some of its current oil and gas revenues into technological innovation could propel Azerbaijan's prowess in the high-tech, mirroring Turkey's efforts in this field.
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Teknofest Azerbaijan, which will take place in late May 2022. |
Teknofest is jam-packed with technology competitions, and this will be no different for Teknofest Azerbaijan. The festival will feature competitions in categories such as biotechnology, 3D printing technology, UAVs, robotics, agricultural tech, and aircraft modeling. [10] These competitions give youth a chance to advance their skills and interests through prize money, sponsorships and possibly, a chance to enroll in esteemed universities. The entertainment part of the festival is set to include UAVs and helicopters on static display and aerobatic demonstration flights by the Azerbaijani Air Force and the Turkish Stars and Solo Turk of the Turkish Air Force.
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A view of the Baku Crystal Hall and the adjacent boulevard that will house Teknofest AZ. |
There are several recent developments that suggest Azerbaijan's military industry is evolving in some areas however. The country has already developed several types of guided bombs in cooperation with Turkish companies like Aselsan. [11] Contrary to their Turkish counterparts, these are designed to be carried by Soviet-era aircraft like the Su-25 and MiG-29. Another promising enterprise is Azad Systems, a joint venture with Israeli UAV manufacturer Aeronautics Systems. Although the fruits of this cooperation have so far been limited to the assembly and production of Israeli-designed UAVs with a localisation rate of up to 30%, Azad's factory could perhaps one day be the scene of a production line for indigenously-designed drones. [12]
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QFAB-50-ISAB and QFAB-250-LG guided bombs and the Experimental Tactical Missile (ETR-M) developed by Azerbaijan in collaboration with companies like Turkey's Aselsan. |
Azerbaijan already put some of its locally assembled drones on display during the 2021 iteration of Teknofest in Istanbul, where the country also exhibited a number of other technology projects in its own dedicated pavilion. [13] Eleven Azerbaijani startups participated in Teknofest, displaying projects such as smart parking systems. [14] The Azerbaijani Armed Forces were equally well-presented with two MiG-29 fighter aircraft, as well as with the aformentioned locally assembled drones (which included the the Orbiter-1K, Orbiter 2, Orbiter 3 and Orbiter 4).
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Azerbaijani-produced Orbiter UAVs on display at Teknofest 2021. |
The UAV competitions and aerial and ground displays of UAVs are likely to be the showpiece of Teknofest - Azerbaijan. Although Azerbaijan has yet to produce any indigenously-designed UAV types, Azad Systems has so far assembled and produced the Aerostar, Orbiter 1K and Orbiter 3 in Azerbaijan. Experience gained with their assembly and the production of components will surely help designers to one day put a truly indigenous UAV type into production.
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Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev inspects the domestic production line for Israeli-designed Aerostar (Shahin) and Zarba-K (Orbiter-1K) U(C)AVs in Azerbaijan. |
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The GOZ-N1. |
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The Istigbal UAV. Drones like these are set to play a major role in Teknofest AZ's UAV competition. |
[1] TEKNOFEST festival to be organized in friendly, fraternal Azerbaijan - Turkish president https://en.trend.az/azerbaijan/politics/3489500.html
[2] How Turkey Is Laying The Ground For The Future Of Unmanned Aerial Warfare https://www.oryxspioenkop.com/2021/10/how-turkey-is-laying-ground-for-future.html
[3] Turkey certain to join ranks of world's top 10 economies: President Erdogan https://www.aa.com.tr/en/economy/turkey-certain-to-join-ranks-of-worlds-top-10-economies-president-erdogan/2400783
[4] Turkey to start manufacturing 1st indigenous electric train locomotive in 2022 https://www.aa.com.tr/en/economy/turkey-to-start-manufacturing-1st-indigenous-electric-train-locomotive-in-2022/2386599
[5] Minister Varank: TOGG will start mass production at the end of 2022 https://www.bazaartimes.com/minister-varank-togg-will-start-mass-production-at-the-end-of-2022/
[6] The decree of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan on approval of Charter of Science Development Foundation under the president of the Republic of Azerbaijan https://www.sdf.gov.az/en/generic/menu/Detail/97/menu//
[7] Spurring innovation will be central to diversifying Azerbaijan’s economy, according to UNECE study https://unece.org/circular-economy/press/spurring-innovation-will-be-central-diversifying-azerbaijans-economy
[8] TEKNOFEST Aerospace and Technology Festival https://teknofest.az/en/corporate/about/
[9] TEKNOFEST AZ Competitions https://teknofest.az/en/competitions/
[10] TEKNOFEST AZ Exhibitors https://teknofest.az/en/corporate/exhibitors/
[11] Bombs From Baku: Cataloguing Azerbaijan’s Indigenous Air-To-Ground Munitions https://www.oryxspioenkop.com/2022/01/bombs-from-baku-cataloguing-azerbaijans.html
[12] Death From Above - Azerbaijan’s Killer Drone Arsenal https://www.oryxspioenkop.com/2021/12/death-from-above-azerbaijans-killer.html
[13] Azərbaycan “Teknofest-2021” festivalında təmsil olunur https://azertag.az/xeber/Azerbaycan_Teknofest_2021_festivalinda_temsil_olunur_VIDEO-1880943
[14] Azerbaijan presents startups at Teknofest in Istanbul [PHOTO] https://www.azernews.az/business/183560.html
[15] Azerbaijan tests locally-made UAVs [PHOTO/VIDEO] https://www.azernews.az/nation/180774.html
[16] Azerbaijan creates UAV which can be used for reconnaissance and kamikaze purposes https://apa.az/en/xeber/social-news/azerbaijan-creates-uav-which-can-be-used-for-reconnaissance-and-kamikaze-purposes-352960
[17] Azerbaijan, Turkey to launch joint innovation center https://www.azernews.az/business/183601.html
