NATO chief hails Türkiye’s defence industry as global powerhouse

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has praised the rapid advancements and strength of Türkiye’s defence industry, calling it “impressive” and highlighting its growing role in global security.

Speaking to the media ahead of a NATO defence ministers' meeting — set to be attended for the first time by newly appointed US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth — Rutte underscored Türkiye’s vital contribution to the Alliance’s defence sector, Caliber.Az reports referring to Turkish media.

When asked about Türkiye’s potential to bolster European defence capabilities and contribute to peace in Ukraine, Rutte emphasized the country’s robust defence infrastructure. He pointed out that Türkiye hosts hundreds of organizations and thousands of companies engaged in defence innovation.

Rutte also noted his discussions with Haluk Görgün, head of Türkiye’s Defence Industry Agency, during his visits to Ankara and Brussels. He stressed the importance of close cooperation between Türkiye and European allies, stating:

“Türkiye’s defence industry forms a strong foundation. It supplies critical components and final products. We can only encourage you to do even more.”

He called for an increase in defence production from all NATO allies, including France, Germany, Italy, the UK, and Türkiye.

Türkiye has emerged as a major global arms supplier, ranking 11th among the world’s largest weapons producers. The country exports arms to 185 nations, with 27% of exports going to Europe and 25% to the United States.

The defence sector has become a major contributor to Türkiye’s economy, generating $40 billion in revenues. Leading Turkish defence firms continue to see soaring profits: Aselsan, a top defence electronics company, increased its net profit by 530% in 2023.

Baykar, Türkiye’s largest defence company, reached $1.76 billion in exports last year.
Turkish military products — including armoured vehicles, precision weapons, naval vessels, and UAVs (such as the renowned Bayraktar drones) — have gained strong demand in global markets.

The share of defence exports in Türkiye’s total export revenue stands at 2.1%, with a 19% increase in defence exports by the end of 2024 compared to the previous year.

Türkiye’s military industry has been shaped by key historical events and strategic decisions spanning nearly a century. Leaders such as Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, Adnan Menderes, and Turgut Özal played instrumental roles in developing the sector.

A pivotal moment came in 1974 when Western nations imposed an arms embargo on Türkiye following its military operation in Cyprus. This prompted Ankara to pursue self-sufficiency in arms production, leading to the foundation of domestic defence companies in the 1980s.

By the late 20th century, Türkiye established institutions like the Turkish Armed Forces Foundation (1987) and the Defence Industry Agency (2022) to accelerate military-industrial growth. A “top-down” strategy was implemented, focusing on building defence platforms and gradually advancing into component and technology production.

Beyond technological advancements, Türkiye has actively leveraged diplomacy to expand its defence influence. It has forged strong ties within the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), leading to major defence contracts with the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar.

One notable agreement saw Saudi Arabia allocate $3 billion for Turkish-made drones, illustrating Türkiye’s willingness to share technology and establish joint production with its partners.

Türkiye’s military-industrial evolution has fundamentally reshaped the nation, integrating it into the club of technologically advanced countries. The rise of cutting-edge factories, research centres, and highly skilled defence specialists has ushered in a new economic and industrial era, positioning Türkiye as a leading defence power in the 21st century.

By Tamilla Hasanova