Türkiye, China sign satellite technology deal at international space congress in Antalya

Türkiye and China will carry out joint work on space technologies under a joint R&D, product development and commercialization agreement signed between TURKSAT and China Satcom.

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

Turkish companies are showcasing their products at the congress while also signing agreements with international partners.

According to information obtained by Anadolu, TURKSAT and China-based satellite operator China Satcom have signed a comprehensive protocol aimed at developing new technologies.

The protocol was signed at a ceremony held at the TURKSAT stand by TURKSAT Deputy General Manager for Satellite Services Selman Demirel and China Satcom CEO Ma Haiquan.

The agreement aims to bring together the engineering expertise of the two countries through joint R&D, product development and commercialization.

Innovative products and solutions to be developed

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

With the cooperation now moving into hardware and software development, the agreement marks a new phase of joint R&D and production in space technologies between Türkiye and China.

Under the agreement, TURKSAT and China Satcom plan to develop UAV communication systems, satellite-based Internet of Things technologies and smart border security technologies.

TURKSAT will also expand its solution portfolio by applying its existing capabilities in developing end-to-end satellite and communications solutions to new technologies and application areas.

The cooperation will cover the full process, from analyzing market needs and developing initial prototypes to testing, validation and commercialization. Turkish and Chinese engineers will work together to develop new products and solutions.

TURKSAT aims to become a leading technology supplier

Smart border security and Internet of Things technologies are among the other key areas covered by the agreement. The partnership aims to develop specialized devices for areas without terrestrial communications networks.

The agreement also covers the development of hardware that will allow devices used in sectors such as energy, agriculture and logistics to be managed via satellite in remote areas without mobile networks.

Limited terrestrial communications infrastructure in many parts of the world creates gaps in border security and industrial data transmission. The TURKSAT-China Satcom partnership aims to develop smart satellite monitoring and IoT systems capable of providing real-time data transmission in remote and challenging areas beyond the reach of cellular base stations or fiber networks.

Through these integrated satellite-based hardware and software solutions, TURKSAT aims to become one of the leading technology suppliers in the global ecosystem.

A joint steering committee with equal representation from the two institutions will also be established to oversee R&D and product development activities with the work to be reviewed every three months.

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