The interview with Yonca-Onuk Shipyard's Vice Chairman of the Board Dr. Ekber ONUK , included in the IDEAS 2018 Special File in the 171th issue of MSI Magazine is shared on the MSI's website:
http://www.milscint.com/tr/ideas-20...ca-onuk-tersanesi-ezber-bozmaya-devam-edecek/
MSI Magazine: Can you tell us about the latest status of your activities in Pakistan?
Dr. Ekber ONUK: We signed our first contract with Pakistan in 2001. We gave 2 YONCA ONUK MRTP 15 class boats to Pakistan Special Forces. The Special Forces were extremely satisfied with these boats and used them well. After then, Pakistan asked for YONCA ONUK MRTP 33s as a platform to carry guided missiles and 2 of them were delivered.
During IDEAS 2016, we reviewed the state of the MRTP 15s. Of course, as time goes by, the systems on the platforms are getting old. We asked to Pakistani officials, " if send these boats to Istanbul, then we can renew them like the first day." It took some time to impose this proposal; but finally they accepted. The renovation work turned into a very successful project. The engines of the two boats that were delivered 14 years ago have changed; Updated 2000 series engines were put. Almost all systems have changed. Everything has been renewed. And last week, we delivered these boots as if they were like produced today. In the next 15 years, these boats have been able to successfully serve.
We see Pakistan as outside of our trade, but more like friends. While we were modernizing these boats, we spent more money than we actually billed them. On the other hand, instead of they intended to buy a new one, with one-third of the money , PN now have 2 extraordinary boats.
This study proved that: Yonca-Onuk stands behind the platforms it produces, even if 15-20 years. Moreover, these platforms are state-of-art and they maintain their structural integrity always. This is also a confirmation of our commitment to our users.
MSI Magazine: When we look at the works of PN - YONCA ONUK MRTP 15s, which features come to the fore in terms of its design?
Dr. Ekber ONUK: Because of I came from the automotive industry, I believe in open-ended architecture. If failing to prevent your solutions being outdated after a few years, You dont have right approach . We take care that our solution has an open-ended architecture and future-oriented infrastructure. The engineering team we have trained is approaching everything with this concept.
Although PN boats are slightly smaller, now they carry almost all the characteristics of an MRTP 20.
Another factor that makes all this possible is the robustness of the composite boat. We offer a 40-year warranty on structural features. As a matter of fact, during the mid life renovation, only the boat part of the boats had to be painted.
MSI Magazine: Are new projects for Pakistan on the agenda?
Dr. Ekber ONUK: There are demands from Pakistan Naval Forces Command about the fast missile platforms that Pakistan needs. We continue our work to take these and send them by adding our own opinions. Yonca-Onuk Shipyard does not have a habit of making a one-to-one request without questioning it. We have an expertise and experienced team who can see how the task is better done. The advanced composite technologies we have and the dominance of our weapons and systems allow us to take this approach.
At the moment, we are preparing to respond to the information request document from the Pakistani authorities with at least 10 years future foreseen projection. This approach also affected the user.
A more defensive task force consists of large platforms. As the platforms grow, their resources gets bigger for protection. The loss of the big platform in any way, is a very heavy blow for the loser both morally and potentially. But it is possible to create much more effective solutions with small and capable platforms especially in terms of assault. When I'm traveling, I always watch documentary channels and I see there are lions, afraid of hyenas; hyenas are also afraid of African dogs.
Therefore, as my son Kaan says, a power consisting of smart and organized platforms, will create a huge threat to large platforms. We know this very well. We tell this to customers who believe in us.
MSI Magazine: Can you give us some clues about your work in the upcoming period?
Dr. Ekber ONUK: One day , they asked to Ferdinand Porsche, " You have many great designs, which one do you like the most? He answered: "The next one!" .
We are working on our next boat and we believe it will be much better than before.
Today, there is no military platform that is 20-to-25 meters and 65 knots on the world, apart from ours. Only there are those, who say " I will". We have new goals; but it is unbelievably unusual right now. When we catch our goals, we will show you. You will see a performance that no one in the world has ever achieved. Within 2 years, we'll show you new generation naval platform at a speed that no one else in the world has ever seen.
Our MRTP series boats are the technology leader in the world. It has been so far, it will continue to be in the future.
(This interview has not been published in English yet. There may be errors in the translation as I do not have much time. I apologize in advance.)
For more :
http://www.milscint.com/en