Aviation and Space Cluster Association

What Aviation and Space Cluster Association does

Havacılık ve Uzay Kümelenmesi Derneği (HUKD), doing business in English as Aviation and Space Cluster Association (ACA), is a Turkish non-profit professional association (Dernek) registered in İzmir and operated from the EGE Free Zone Technology Center in Gaziemir. Founded to support the Turkish aviation, space, and defense industry ecosystem, HUKD provides cluster coordination services rather than discrete commercial products. Its core offering is network support and B2B matchmaking that connects small and medium-sized enterprises to major Turkish defense and aerospace integrators such as ASELSAN, TUSAŞ, and ASFAT, supplemented by industry certification guidance (notably AS 9100 D), human-resource development programs with universities including Ege University Aviation MYO, and international collaboration through its longstanding role in the European Aerospace Cluster Partnership (EACP) since 2011.

HUKD's principal service lines are: the UR-GE (Uluslararası Rekabetçiliğin Geliştirilmesi) export competitiveness project, supported by T.C. Ticaret Bakanlığı and currently involving 13 member firms; the KOBİ Destek Ekosistemi (SME Support Ecosystem) providing network guidance to SMEs; İnsan Kaynağı Geliştirme (Human Resource Development) aligned with university-industry needs; the Network ve İşbirliği Ağı facilitating national and international stakeholder connections; YETEN/EYDEP training, certification, and incentive-support programs; and the Uzay ve Çocuklarımız youth outreach program. Completed projects such as SKY 4.0 (ERASMUS+, 2018–2021) demonstrate capacity for cross-border EU-funded cluster initiatives.

Revenue is generated primarily through corporate, individual, and academic membership fees, supplemented by project-based grants from the Turkish Ministry of Trade (UR-GE) and the European Commission (ERASMUS+). The association operates on a community-led go-to-market motion: it does not sell products but rather aggregates members, organizes events (91 recorded from 2020–2026), and runs programs that depend on grant cycles and partner contributions. Distribution is delivered through direct engagement at its İzmir office, partner-mediated programs with integrators and technology parks (Teknopark İzmir, METU Teknokent via TSSK), and participation in international exhibitions including IDEF, SAHA EXPO, Farnborough, and Paris Air Show.

Name

Aviation and Space Cluster Association

Legal name

Havacılık ve Uzay Kümelenmesi Derneği

Website

https://hukd.org.tr

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

HUKD is a Turkish non-profit cluster association based in İzmir that supports SMEs in the aviation, aerospace, and defense sectors through B2B matchmaking with integrators like ASELSAN and ASFAT, AS 9100 D certification guidance, UR-GE export programs, and EACP-led international collaboration.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industry Association Services

NAICS

Business Associations (813910), Professional Organizations (813920)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPADAAAK

International Science, Technology & Space Cooperation Organizations

Business & Public Services/International Organizations & Development/Multilateral & Intergovernmental Organizations

SECONDARYBPADANAB

Technical Committees, Working Groups & Expert Panels

Business & Public Services/International Organizations & Development/International Standards, Policy & Regulatory Cooperation

Keywords

• Aviation cluster association
• Aerospace industry network
• Defense industry support
• SME export development
• Aerospace workforce training

Headquarters

HQ city

Izmir

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership fees and project-based funding: HUKD generates revenue through corporate, individual, and academic membership fees, supplemented by government-supported projects such as UR-GE (International Competitiveness Development) programs funded by T.C. Ticaret Bakanlığı.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Aviation and Space Cluster Association (HUKD - Havacılık ve Uzay Kümelenmesi Derneği) is a Turkish non-profit industry cluster association that supports Turkish aviation, space, and defense industry SMEs through networking, B2B matchmaking with major integrators, training and certification programs (including AS 9100 D), human resource development with universities, and UR-GE export development projects funded by the Ministry of Trade. The association offers corporate, individual, and academic membership categories and facilitates international collaboration through EACP and other cluster partnerships.

Product overview

HUKD (Havacılık ve Uzay Kümelenmesi Derneği - Aviation and Space Cluster Association) operates as a non-profit industry association rather than a product company. Its service portfolio centers on supporting Turkish aviation, space, and defense industry competitiveness through six interconnected programs: the UR-GE Projesi (international competitiveness development project with 13 member companies), KOBİ Destek Ekosistemi (SME support ecosystem with network guidance), İnsan Kaynağı Geliştirme (human resource development aligned with university-industry needs), Network ve İşbirliği Ağı (national and international stakeholder networking), YETEN ve EYDEP (training, certification, and incentive support programs), and Uzay ve Çocuklarımız (youth outreach in aviation and space). The association also maintains a member catalog and organizes events including trade shows and airshows to connect members with global markets.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• UR-GE Project (International Competitiveness Development)
• SME Support Ecosystem (KOBİ Destek Ekosistemi)
• Human Resource Development (İnsan Kaynağı Geliştirme)
• YETEN and EYDEP (Training, Certification and Support Programs)
• Uzay ve Çocuklarımız (Space and Our Children)
• Member Catalog (Üye Kataloğu)

Quantifiable outcome

• UR-GE project with 13 member firms actively participating to increase export shares
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• ASELSANcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 August 2021HUKD signed a Cooperation Protocol with ASELSAN at IDEF 2021 exhibition at ASELSAN's stand. The protocol aims to create business opportunities for HUKD member companies. ASELSAN is one of Turkey's largest defense electronics companies.
• Teknopark İzmirmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 July 2021Cooperation Protocol signed on July 29, 2021 at HUKD General Assembly with İYTE Rector and Teknopark İzmir Board Chairman Prof. Dr. Yusuf Baran. Teknopark İzmir hosts 175+ local and foreign R&D companies with 1100+ R&D personnel, over 1.5 billion TL revenue, and nearly 120 million USD exports.
• ASFAT A.Ş.majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2019HUKD - ASFAT Cooperation Protocol signed on May 1, 2019 at IDEF 2019. The agreement covers development and promotion activities in defense and aviation sectors, organizing activities to increase B2B relations between HUKD member companies and ASFAT, and joint R&D projects.
• TSSK (Teknokent Savunma Sanayii Kümelenmesi)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017Cooperation agreement between HUKD and TSSK (Teknokent Defense Industry Cluster) established in 2017 and renewed in 2021. TSSK represents 380+ firms including 140+ defense industry companies operating within METU Teknokent. The partnership aims to create opportunities for members of both organizations.
• Aviation Valley (Poland)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016MoU signed in 2016 in Lisbon, Portugal between HUKD and Aviation Valley for cooperation in aviation and space projects and activities. Aviation Valley is a non-profit organization established on April 11, 2003, representing 170 companies in Poland's southeastern aviation and aerospace industry.
• EACP (European Aerospace Cluster Partnership)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2011HUKD has been an active member of EACP since 2011. The association leads the Technology Working Group and co-leads the Skills Working Group within EACP. EACP brings together 35 aerospace clusters from 14 countries, representing nearly 90% of the European aerospace industry. HUKD participates in General Assemblies and coordinates international B2B events for its members.
• SASAD (Savunma ve Havacılık Sanayii İmalatçılar Derneği)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHUKD is a member of SASAD (Defense and Aviation Industry Manufacturers Association). SASAD was established in 1990 in Ankara with the support of Ministry of National Defense. HUKD participates in multiple SASAD committees including Ar-Ge and Technology, Aviation and Space, Supply Chain and SMEs, Export and Promotion, and Standards and Quality.
• Kompozit Sanayicileri Derneği (KSD)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKompozit Sanayicileri Derneği (KSD) is an individual member of HUKD, and HUKD is an honorary member of KSD. KSD was established on May 18, 2005 to promote composite materials in Turkey. The organizations collaborate on joint events including Turk Kompozit 2022.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Aerospace Valley (France): French aerospace cluster covering the Occitanie and Nouvelle-Aquitaine regions, one of Europe's largest aerospace clusters. A directly comparable EACP-member aerospace cluster association delivering SME networking, R&D coordination, and export support.
• Andalucía Aerospace Cluster: Spanish regional aerospace cluster association representing Andalusia's aerospace industry. A directly comparable European regional aerospace cluster organization operating within the EACP network.
• Hamburg Aviation: Cluster organization for the Hamburg metropolitan region's aviation industry, with significant Airbus presence. As a fellow EACP member cluster, it is a directly comparable European regional aerospace cluster association.
• Aviation Valley: Polish non-profit aerospace cluster representing ~170 companies in southeastern Poland. HUKD signed an MoU with Aviation Valley in 2016 in Lisbon, making it a directly comparable European aerospace cluster association serving SMEs in the same industry vertical.
• Aerospace Forum (UK): Industry-led aerospace cluster organization for the UK. As a fellow EACP-member aerospace cluster, it is a directly comparable European cluster association focused on UK aerospace SME and supply-chain development.
• TSSK (Teknokent Savunma Sanayii Kümelenmesi): Defense Industry Cluster at METU Teknokent representing 380+ firms including 140+ defense industry companies. HUKD and TSSK have a cooperation agreement since 2017 (renewed 2021) — a directly comparable Turkish cluster organization serving the same SME/supplier community.
• SASAD (Savunma ve Havacılık Sanayii İmalatçılar Derneği): Turkey's principal defense and aviation industry manufacturers association, founded1990 in Ankara. HUKD is a member and participates in multiple SASAD committees, making it a direct Turkish peer operating in the same industry/membership model.
• Skywin (Aerospace Cluster of Wallonia): Belgian aerospace cluster association representing Wallonia's aerospace industry. As a fellow EACP member cluster organization, Skywin is a directly comparable European regional aerospace cluster association serving SME members.

Broad incumbents

• Global Aerospace Cluster (GAC): International network of aerospace clusters; HUKD references participation in GAC activities (e.g., FIA2022 GAC Summit). Operates one level above individual clusters as a broader coordinating body for cluster-to-cluster engagement.
• ASD (Aerospace, Security and Defence Industries Association of Europe): Pan-European industry association representing the broader aerospace, security, and defence sector at the EU level. HUKD's chairman was elected to ASD's Board in June 2025, and ASD operates one level above regional clusters as the broader incumbent umbrella.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/hukd.aca
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/hukd-havacilik-ve-uzay-kumelenmesi-dernegi

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Aviation and Space Cluster Association