Havelsan upgrades Turkish CN-235 aircraft with its Advent Marti system for improved coordination in maritime operations.

On January 6, 2025, the Turkish company Havelsan announced that the Advent Marti Command and Control System, developed with Turkish national engineering capabilities, has been integrated into the CASA CN-235MP-100M aircraft (tail number TCSG-553) operated by the Turkish Coast Guard Command. The TCSG-553 is intended for security and defense missions, including maritime surveillance, border security, search and rescue, and combating illegal activities such as drug smuggling and human trafficking. This integration aims to enhance operational efficiency by providing advanced command and control capabilities.
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Türkiye became the largest CN-235 operator with 61 aircraft ordered, later modifying 19 aircraft with new maritime surveillance equipment for both the Turkish Navy and Coast Guard. (Picture source: Havelsan)

The Advent Marti system is part of the Advent CMS product family, developed under the coordination of the Turkish Naval Forces Command. It is specifically designed for special mission aircraft and helicopters. The system is modular and configurable, capable of integrating with various sensors and equipment to support platforms such as Maritime Patrol Aircraft, Maritime Surveillance Aircraft, helicopters, and UAVs. Its features include intelligence, reconnaissance, and surveillance operations; anti-submarine and surface warfare; electronic warfare; search and rescue; tactical data link relay; and operations to prevent illegal activities like hijacking.

Havelsan, the developer of Advent Marti, specializes in defense and IT systems and operates as a government-owned corporation based in Ankara, Türkiye. The system leverages national engineering expertise to provide real-time situational awareness, decision-making capabilities, and data sharing between air, land, and maritime units. It processes data from sensors on the aircraft and relays this information to command centers in real-time, improving coordination and operational effectiveness.

Havelsan has been involved in earlier projects related to the CN-235 aircraft and collaborations with the Turkish Navy. For the CN-235, Havelsan developed a Full Flight Simulator to train pilots in flight operations, air radar usage, and emergency procedures. The simulator includes tactical area, sensor, and sound simulations. In its work with the Turkish Navy, Havelsan collaborated on several projects, including the Genesis combat management system, developed in cooperation with the Navy's R&D department, which was later implemented on G-class frigates to enhance combat capabilities.

Havelsan also contributed to the development of the Advent system, a network-supported combat management platform used on naval vessels. Additionally, the company delivered Submarine Information Distribution Systems for six new submarines and is working on the mid-life modernization of Barbaros-class frigates. This modernization includes the integration of new weapon systems, radars, and sensors, with completion expected by 2025.

The Advent Marti system, once integrated into the CN-235 aircraft, will enhance coordination in Turkish maritime operations by enabling a better real-time data sharing between air, land, sea, and spatial assets. (Picture source: Havelsan)

The TCSG-553 is part of Türkiye’s fleet of CASA CN-235 aircraft, which have been extensively used in military and coast guard operations. The CN-235 is a medium-range, twin-engine transport and maritime patrol aircraft developed jointly by CASA of Spain and IPTN of Indonesia. It was introduced into service in 1988 and is used globally for various roles. The aircraft has a length of 21.4 meters, a wingspan of 25.81 meters, and a maximum takeoff weight of 16,500 kilograms. It can reach a maximum altitude of 25,000 feet and has an operational range of 960 nautical miles. Its endurance of up to six hours and adaptability to different configurations make it suitable for transport, surveillance, and specialized missions.

Türkiye is the largest operator of the CN-235, with 59 aircraft, including transport and maritime patrol variants. These aircraft were acquired as part of the Meltem Project. A modification program in the 2000s equipped 19 Turkish Navy and Coast Guard aircraft with new maritime surveillance equipment. The CN-235 has been actively used in missions such as Black Sea patrols during the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, where Turkish aircraft detected sea mines and supported de-mining efforts.

Globally, the CN-235 is used by military and civilian operators for roles including transport, maritime patrol, and aerial surveillance. Military operators include the French Air and Space Force, the Indonesian Air Force and Navy, the Spanish Air Force, and the Royal Malaysian Air Force. Civilian operators have included airlines such as Merpati Nusantara Airlines and Iberia LAE, though the aircraft has seen limited commercial success compared to competitors.

The CN-235 has been produced in several variants, including armed gunships and maritime patrol aircraft equipped with advanced systems. Over 240 aircraft are in service worldwide, accumulating more than 500,000 flight hours. The aircraft's adaptability has allowed it to perform roles ranging from disaster relief and humanitarian aid to maritime patrol and electronic surveillance.

The integration of Advent Marti into the TCSG-553 reflects ongoing efforts to enhance Türkiye’s operational capabilities in maritime security and border protection. By combining the existing features of the CN-235 with advanced command and control systems, this development supports a wide range of missions essential for national and regional security.