Turkey has made significant advancements in its defence industry, achieving self-reliance in land, air, and naval defence technologies.
According to Al Jazeera, Turkey, which has NATO’s second-largest army, has not only begun producing its defence equipment but has also emerged as a major global arms exporter.
Turkey’s defence exports have steadily increased, reaching $7.1 billion in 2024, a significant rise from $1.9 billion a decade ago. Various European and Middle Eastern countries are purchasing Turkish-made weapons.
Turkey established the Defense Industry Development and Support Administration Office (SAGEB) in 1985, initially focusing on international research and development.
However, Turkey shifted its focus towards domestic production when it faced restrictions on arms purchases and usage.
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Since 2010, Turkey has invested in local weapons design and production, rapidly expanding its defence industry. Today, thousands of companies in Turkey manufacture advanced military equipment.
Turkey’s Top Defense Exports
Turkey’s most well-known defence export is the Bayraktar TB2 drone, first deployed in 2014. Other key UAVs include:
- Anka-S drone (capable of carrying 200 kg of weapons)
- Vestel Karayel drone (payload capacity of 70 kg)
Additionally, Turkey is developing “Steel Dome,” an AI-powered aerial defence system designed to identify and neutralize air threats. It is also working on its first indigenous fifth-generation fighter jet, “Turkish Kaan,” to replace U.S.-made F-16 aircraft.
Ground and Naval Defense Developments
Inland defence, Turkey has developed:
- Altay Main Battle Tank, seen as a rival to the German Leopard and American Abrams tanks
- Kirpi, a mine-resistant vehicle
- Kaplan and Pars, modern armoured combat vehicles
Turkey launched the MILGEM project in naval defence in 2004 to produce advanced warships. As part of this program, Turkey has developed:
- Ada-class corvettes
- Istanbul-class frigates
Moreover, Turkey has plans to manufacture additional warships and submarines.
One of Turkey’s most significant naval achievements is the TCG Anadolu, a drone-carrying amphibious assault ship commissioned in 2023, making it Turkey’s largest warship.
Turkey has also developed advanced missile systems, including:
- Bora short-range ballistic missile
- Atmaca long-range missile
Turkey’s Rise as a Global Defense Power
Global sanctions and arms have driven Turkey’s defence expansion embargoes.
- 1970s: The U.S. imposed an arms embargo on Turkey following its intervention in Cyprus.
- 1990s: Germany restricted arms exports to Turkey, citing internal conflicts involving Turkish military vehicles.
- 2020: The U.S. sanctioned Turkey for purchasing the Russian S-400 defence system, but by then, Turkey had already become a self-sufficient arms manufacturer.
Today, Turkey is home to around 3,000 defence companies. Between 2020 and 2024, Turkey became the 11th-largest global arms exporter, accounting for 1.7% of international arms trade.
Pakistan Among Turkey’s Top Defense Customers
In 2024, Turkey exported arms to 178 countries, a 103% increase compared to 2015-2019.
The biggest buyers of Turkish defence equipment are:
- United Arab Emirates
- Pakistan
- Qatar
Turkey’s Bayraktar TB2 drone, one of its most popular exports, has been sold to at least 31 countries, including:
- Iraq
- Ukraine
- Kenya
- Bangladesh
- Japan
Domestic Drone Engine Production
Turkish defence company Baykar has announced a $300 million investment to develop its drone engines, aiming to reduce dependence on international supply chains.
Baykar’s goal is to equip the Akıncı drone with a domestically produced engine and later develop the Kızılelma.
This fully autonomous fighter jet currently relies on a Ukrainian engine.
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