Erdoğan: Türkiye boosts defence independence amid shifting global powers

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said on July 22 that Türkiye has no choice but to strengthen its defence capabilities in response to shifting global power balances, citing the country’s rapidly growing domestic production and reduced reliance on foreign suppliers.

“We are compelled to strengthen our defense, and the path to this lies through domestic production,” Erdoğan said at the opening of the International Defense Industry Fair (IDEF) 2025 in Istanbul, Caliber.Az reports per Daily Sabah. 

One of the world’s largest defence exhibitions, IDEF is showcasing Türkiye’s expanding capabilities in land, air, sea, space, and cybersecurity systems. The six-day event features nearly 1,000 Turkish and over 400 international companies, and is expected to attract more than 120,000 visitors and 220 delegations from 99 countries and international organisations.

Erdoğan described the exhibition as a symbol of Türkiye’s broader ambitions.

“It is not only the development of the Turkish defense industry, but also a nation's march toward independence,” he said.

Underscoring Türkiye’s readiness for international collaboration, Erdoğan stressed the importance of building long-term and balanced relationships.

“The issue is not just about making purchases,” he said. “What truly matters is establishing lasting collaborations built on a win-win foundation. As Türkiye, we are ready for this and open to multifaceted cooperation.”

He said the global landscape is entering a period of intensified competition and realigned power centers.

“Power balances are being redefined, global centers of gravity are shifting and international competition is intensifying,” Erdoğan noted.

Türkiye’s push for defense autonomy accelerated in response to Western embargoes and diplomatic restrictions.

“We said we would take matters into our own hands, and by mobilizing our own resources, we've made significant strides in this field in a short time,” he said.

The country has since developed a broad range of air, land, and naval systems, securing billions in defense export deals. Erdoğan highlighted that the share of domestic production in the defense sector has risen to over 80%, up from just 20% in the early 2000s.

“We've ushered in a new era for the Turkish defense industry,” he said. “We have largely overcome our core issue of foreign dependency.”

The defense industry now generates more than $20 billion in annual revenues and oversees 1,380 active projects. Over 3,500 companies operate in the sector, employing 100,000 people. According to Erdoğan, Türkiye now fulfills almost all the requirements of its armed forces using local production.

“Our domestic products play an active role in counterterrorism operations and in our domestic and international military campaigns,” he added.

IDEF 2025 includes a broad range of equipment on display, from battle tanks, drones, and air defense platforms to naval vessels and satellite systems.

Türkiye's defense and aerospace exports hit a record $7.15 billion in 2024, up nearly 30% year-on-year and surpassing the government's $6.5 billion target. “Today, Türkiye ranks as the world's 11th largest defense exporter,” Erdoğan said. “Our unmanned aerial vehicles, national ship projects, electronic systems, land vehicles, weapons and ammunition are all being followed and demanded with admiration.”

In June alone, monthly exports rose 10.4% from a year earlier to $623 million, bringing the total for the past 12 months to $7.5 billion, a 23.1% increase.

“With the right strategies in fields such as laser and electromagnetic weapon systems, autonomous systems, cybersecurity, quantum technology and artificial intelligence, we hope to further enhance our competitiveness in the near future,” Erdoğan said.

Leading Türkiye’s rise in the global defense market are its drone programs, particularly those developed by Baykar and Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI). Erdoğan stated that Türkiye is now among the world’s top three countries in unmanned aerial and combat aerial vehicle technology. “Last year, Turkish firms supplied 65 of every 100 UAVs sold globally,” he said. “Our UCAVs' game-changing concept is making a global impact. They are transforming conventional tactics and strategies.”

He added that Türkiye is also among just 10 nations worldwide capable of designing, developing, and producing its own warships.

By Sabina Mammadli