R&D products in satellite technologies to be developed through Türkiye-China partnership

Türkiye and China will conduct joint work for space technologies within the scope of the joint R&D, product development, and commercialization agreement signed between Türksat and China Satcom.

Organized by the International Astronautical Federation (IAF), the 77th International Astronautical Congress (IAC 2026) continues at the Antalya NEST Congress Center, hosted by the Turkish Space Agency (TUA) and SAHA Istanbul under the coordination of the Ministry of Industry and Technology.

Within the scope of the congress, while Turkish companies introduce their products, important agreements are also being signed with international partners. According to information obtained by an AA correspondent, within this scope, a comprehensive protocol aimed at technology production was signed between Türksat and the China-based satellite operator China Satcom.

At the ceremony held at the Türksat booth, the protocol was signed by TÜRKSAT Vice President of Satellite Services Selman Demirel and China Satcom CEO Ma Haiquan.

With the agreement aimed at R&D, product development, and commercialization, it is envisaged to bring together the engineering expertise of the two countries.

Innovative products and solutions to be developed

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

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

With this agreement made with China, it is planned to produce UAV communication systems, satellite-based Internet of Things, and smart border security technologies under the partnership of Türksat and China Satcom.

Through the agreement, Türksat will further expand its solution portfolio by carrying its existing capability in developing end-to-end satellite and communication solutions into new technology and application areas.

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

Türksat will become one of the strongest technology suppliers

Other critical areas of the agreement are constituted by smart border security and Internet of Things (IoT) technologies. Within this scope, it is aimed to produce special devices for geographies where terrestrial communication networks do not exist.

Hardware that will enable devices used in sectors such as energy, agriculture, and logistics to be managed via satellite even in remote regions without mobile networks 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 major gap in both border security of countries and industrial data flow, through this agreement partnered by TÜRKSAT and China Satcom, smart satellite monitoring and IoT systems capable of instant data transfer even in the most challenging geographies unreachable by base stations or fiber networks will be developed.

With these integrated hardware and software solutions it will offer via satellite, Türksat will become one of the strongest technology suppliers of the global ecosystem.

Furthermore, in order for the R&D and product development activities to proceed smoothly, a Joint Steering Committee in which both institutions will be equally represented will be established, and the work to be carried out will be evaluated in quarterly periods.