Derya Arms, an international firearms manufacturer with production operations in Jacksonville, Florida and Konya, Türkiye, has signed a collaboration agreement with Olympic silver medalist Yusuf Dikec. The agreement was announced September at a media event.
Dikec, who won Olympic silver for Türkiye in the 10-meter air pistol mixed team event at the Paris 2024 Games, gained worldwide attention for the relaxed, unhurried competition style that made him one of the most recognizable athletes of the Games. Drawing on his career as a professional athlete and his experience in international competition, Dikec will share insights and assessments on sporting use and user experience with Derya Arms' engineering, R&D, design and product development teams.
"Yusuf Dikec's experience as a professional athlete provides a perspective that can contribute to our product and performance initiatives," said Husamettin Kayhan, General Coordinator of Derya Arms. "We see this agreement as the start of a collaboration that brings together professional sporting experience and our engineering and manufacturing capabilities."
Professional perspective supports evaluation
The collaboration is intended to extend beyond a conventional sponsorship or ambassador arrangement. It brings Dikec's experience competing at the highest level of international sport together with Derya Arms' engineering and manufacturing expertise across its Türkiye and U.S. operations.
Derya Arms sees relevance in his perspective across performance, ergonomics, consistency and user experience. His contribution adds a professional-athlete perspective to the company's existing engineering and technical development processes.
Derya Arms' engineering, design, R&D, manufacturing and product development processes will continue to be managed independently by the company's authorized technical teams. Dikec's contribution will be limited to sharing observations and feedback on sporting use from a professional athlete's perspective.
"For many years, I have represented Türkiye on the international arena," Dikec said. "I am pleased to share the experience I have gained throughout my career with a Turkish brand operating internationally. I believe our collaboration with Derya Arms can contribute to Turkish sport and strengthen the international profile of brands from Türkiye."
Following the signing ceremony, media representatives viewed the Derya MAX, DY9Z and Derya MAX Anti-Drone. The Derya MAX shotgun and DY9Z pistol are available to U.S. consumers through Derya's authorized dealer network.
Manufacturing in the United States and worldwide
Derya Arms manufactures in Konya, Türkiye and Jacksonville, Florida, where the company established U.S. production through South Derya Co. in 2024 and began selling to U.S. consumers in January 2025. The company serves customers in more than 86 countries, with approximately 90 percent of production exported.
In Europe, Derya Arms operates through Derya GmbH, with an Austrian distribution hub supporting inventory management, distribution and service across European markets.
About Derya Arms: Founded in 1998 in Konya, Türkiye, Derya Arms is an international firearms manufacturer serving sporting, hunting, tactical and other professional applications, with manufacturing operations in Konya and Jacksonville, Florida. The company serves more than 86 countries and exports approximately 90 percent of production. U.S. operations, established in 2024 through South Derya Co., are headquartered at 1926 Spearing Street, Jacksonville, Florida and began serving U.S. consumers in January 2025 with the Derya MAX shotgun, DY9Z pistol and related products through an authorized dealer network nationwide. In Europe, Derya Arms operates through Derya GmbH, including an Austrian distribution hub. Actions Speak Louder™. Learn more at derya.us.
Derya Arms is a founding shareholder of Konya Savunma Sanayi A.Ş., which holds a 49% stake in Aselsan Konya Silah Sistemleri A.Ş., and is therefore part of Aselsan Konya's ownership structure through its shareholding in Konya Savunma Sanayi A.Ş.