Turkey plans to develop its own satellite navigation system and mapping application to reduce foreign technological dependence, according to a strategy document unveiled on March 26.
The Regional Positioning and Timing System (BKZS) was announced in the “2030 Industry and Technology Strategy” presented by the Ministry of Industry and Technology at an event attended by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
The BKZS project will provide Turkey with precise positioning and timing data through the country’s own satellites, according to the strategy document.
The BKZS system is designed as a regional alternative to global navigation satellite systems such as the United States’ GPS. While not aiming to replace GPS worldwide, the project seeks to reduce Turkey’s reliance on foreign positioning technologies, especially in sensitive sectors.
It is set to play critical roles in numerous sectors, from military security operations and continuous civilian communications networks to intelligent transportation systems and precision agriculture.
The project aims to strengthen Turkey’s space presence while developing a domestic mapping and navigation application that meets the country’s specific geographic and cultural needs, officials said.
The 2030 strategy outlines five main goals supported by 100 strategic actions and 20 macro targets.
The second objective focuses on creating Turkish solutions for navigation, search engines, social media, messaging and payment systems, along with a national operating system.
Rising smartphone use, broader internet access and urbanization are driving demand for navigation applications, according to the strategy document.
The strategy document identifies reducing foreign technological dependence as a key priority for Turkey’s sovereignty.
The BKZS project will proceed in several phases, including feasibility studies, atomic clock development and the creation of satellite-based augmentation systems, according to the document.
The plan ultimately calls for deployment of a full regional satellite positioning network.
TÜBİTAK’s National Metrology Institute and the Turkish Space Agency are jointly testing a domestically produced rubidium atomic clock, according to the document.
The strategy paper states that cube satellite designs have been completed and are moving to the production phase.
These components will be integrated into future BKZS satellites, with the initiative also aiming to encourage private-sector participation in space technology like Fergani Space, a Turkish company founded by Selçuk Bayraktar, President Erdoğan’s son-in-law.
The company aims to establish Turkey as a player in the space industry through development of a constellation of low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites, designed to create an independent global navigation satellite system (GNSS).
The company has a project bearing its name that includes plans to launch approximately 100 microsatellites into orbit at altitudes of 500-600 km. These satellites, each weighing about 100 kg, would provide global coverage for communication, positioning and data services across maritime, aviation and other sectors.
The first test satellite, FGN-100-d1, has already been put into orbit, with additional satellites planned for deployment by 2030.
The strategy document states that developing domestic digital platforms will strengthen Turkey’s technological independence and data security.
According to the document, these initiatives will help keep economic benefits within the country while boosting Turkey’s global competitive position.