By Tuba Sahin

ANKARA

Turkish Airlines on Thursday signed a deal with national air defense and military software firm HAVELSAN to use locally-produced simulators in pilot training.

The initiative will reduce foreign dependency and remarkably accelerate the concept of domestic production, according to a statement from the Turkey's national flag carrier.

HAVELSAN will produce full-flight simulators with international D-level certification for Turkish Airlines' Boeing 737MAX and Airbus A320CEO/NEO type aircrafts in accordance with the agreement, the statement read.

Already having 14 simulators in its fleet, the airline will receive five full flight simulators and six flight training devices from HAVELSAN to become operational in 2020 and 2021, respectively, it said.

"These new simulators to be delivered in forthcoming years, will enable Turkish Airlines pilots to continue their training at the best standard, and also be experienced by the pilots of foreign airlines who prefer our flight training center for their refresher trainings," Ilker Ayci, Turkish Airlines chairman, said.

Ayci added that simulators will play a remarkable role in further increasing the global recognition of the airline’s flight experience.

For his part, HAVELSAN Board Chairman Hacı Ali Mantar said the agreement will help the company to meet its needs in domestic rather than foreign resources.

"At the same time, we will have the opportunity to export both system and training to the world airline simulator market with this project," Mantar said.