At the 17th International Defence Industry Fair (IDEF) 2025, held in Istanbul from July 22 to 27, MESAN, a Turkish engineering and technology company, presented an impressive array of cutting-edge mine detection equipment and traffic safety systems.
Established in 1991, MESAN has grown into a trusted provider of mission-critical devices and systems, serving major Turkish institutions such as the Turkish Armed Forces, Gendarmerie General Command, and General Directorate of Security, alongside other public organisations. Over its three-decade history, the company has expanded its expertise to deliver innovative solutions not only within Turkey but also to international clients, solidifying its reputation in the fields of field safety and traffic management.
MESAN’s display at IDEF 2025 drew considerable attention from both national and international delegations, reflecting the company’s growing influence in the defence and security sectors. Visitors to its booth included representatives from the Togolese Air Force, Syria’s Ministry of National Defence, Burkina Faso’s Embassy Defence Attaché Colonel Kounsaouma Palenfo and his delegation, as well as Gambia’s Chief of General Staff Major General Mamat OA Cham accompanied by Ambassador to Ankara Alkali Fanka Conteh. Turkish defence officials were also present, with notable figures such as Mr. Muhammet Sami Ulukavak, Head of the Electronic Warfare and Radar Systems Department at the Presidency of Defence Industries, and Major General Alparslan Kılınç, Commander of the Infantry School, touring the stand.
During these visits, MESAN’s team provided detailed briefings on their technologies and discussed potential avenues for cooperation, expressing gratitude for the interest shown by these distinguished guests. A key focus of MESAN’s exhibition was its advanced mine detection systems, designed to address a range of threats from traditional mines to improvised explosive devices (IEDs). Among the featured products was the MEMAR mine detector, a new addition to the company’s MEMED series.
Tailored specifically for Humanitarian Mine Demining operators and engineers, the MEMAR is engineered to detect low-metal-content anti-personnel mines, anti-tank mines, and metal-containing IEDs. Its precision and reliability make it an essential tool for safely clearing minefields, a task critical to both military and humanitarian efforts. MESAN’s development of such sensitive technologies is supported by certifications from Turkey’s Ministry of National Defence and production permits from the Ministry of Facility Security and Industry, affirming its commitment to national and domestic innovation. Another notable product was the MEKA Cable and IED Detector, also part of the MEMED series.
Designed with Counter-IED teams in mind, the MEKA offers the ability to detect cables, wires, and IEDs regardless of their size or orientation. This flexibility, enabled by next-generation technology, ensures that operators can identify threats in challenging and unpredictable environments, enhancing the safety and effectiveness of their missions. Training systems were another area where MESAN demonstrated its expertise. The MERGEN PARKUR Virtual Reality Detector Training System stood out as a sophisticated tool for preparing operators. This simulator immerses users in a virtual environment where they can practice detecting mines and IEDs at varying depths and across different terrains.
By replicating real-world conditions and teaching operators to interpret detection signals accurately, MERGEN PARKUR ensures that personnel are well-equipped for actual field operations. Complementing this system is the MERGEN-TIM Detector Training System, which focuses on refining operator skills through hands-on practice. It aims to minimise errors by helping users master correct detector sweeping techniques, turning these movements into instinctive reflexes through repetition. For operations requiring remote capabilities, MESAN introduced the MEROB Robot-Integrated Mine Detector. This system can be mounted on unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs), allowing for the safe detection of anti-personnel mines, anti-tank mines, and IEDs. The MEROB supports both manual and autonomous field applications, transmitting detection results in real time to a remote control unit, which keeps operators out of harm’s way.
Similarly, the MeDro Integrated Mine/IED Detector offers a drone-based solution, enabling teams to survey areas from above. Depending on operational requirements, the drone can be equipped with either electromagnetic induction (EMI) or ground-penetrating radar (GPR) sensors, providing versatility for detecting threats over the ground. Beyond its defence-oriented innovations, MESAN showcased its contributions to traffic safety with the MEDAR MTS Mobile Speed Enforcement System. This technology is designed to monitor multiple vehicles across several lanes simultaneously, automatically identifying and documenting speeding violations. It generates detailed violation files that include the vehicle’s speed, lane, class, colour, location, date, time, and high-resolution image, along with the license plate number. The system also detects lane violations and breaches of safe distance regulations, issuing penalties as needed. Used by Police and Gendarmerie Traffic teams, as well as Highways and Municipalities, the MEDAR MTS reflects MESAN’s broader mission to improve public safety through advanced engineering.
Throughout IDEF 2025, MESAN’s booth served as a bustling centre of engagement, with the company’s team actively introducing their products and projects to a steady stream of visitors. The event provided a platform for MESAN to connect with industry professionals and potential partners from around the world, fostering valuable relationships. The chairman of the board of Mesan Elektronik, Ms. Devrim Erol expressed enthusiasm about the experience, noting, “We are very pleased with the valuable collaborations and contacts we have established in the national and international arena. We continue to bring our advanced solutions—such as mine and IED detection systems, traffic speed detection technologies, and detector training systems—together with visitors and industry professionals.”
This statement reflects MESAN’s dedication to sharing its innovations and building on the momentum gained at the fair. MESAN’s participation in IDEF 2025 showcased its role as a leader in engineering, research, development, and integration within the defence and security industries. With a diverse portfolio that spans humanitarian demining tools, counter-IED technologies, and traffic enforcement systems, the company continues to evolve its offerings to meet the changing demands of its clients.
As MESAN moves forward, its emphasis on technological advancement and strategic partnerships positions it as a reliable provider of mission-critical solutions, both in Turkey and on the global stage. The success of its presence at IDEF 2025 serves as a testament to its ongoing commitment to innovation and excellence.