Turkish defence industry entrenches in "golden era," strengthening global military partnerships VIDEO

Türkiye’s defence industry has reached a significant milestone, achieving record exports valued at nearly $7.2 billion.

This achievement underscores the growing prominence of Turkish-made defence products worldwide, bolstering allied militaries and contributing to global security, Caliber.Az reports via Turkish media.

2024 yılında Türk savunma sanayiinin, yalnızca yurt içindeki güvenlik güçlerine teslim ettiği ürünlerin ekonomik katkısı 40 milyar dolar olarak açıklandı. pic.twitter.com/DIMwHT48rw

— SavunmaSanayiST.com (@SavunmaSanayiST) January 24, 2025

According to official data, Türkiye’s defence sector is now firmly entrenched in a "golden era," with exports spanning over 180 countries. Ranked 11th among the world's top defense exporters, Türkiye's advancements in mass production, research and development, and technological innovation have strengthened its position on the global stage.

Notably, the Turkish defence sector has delivered over 4,500 land vehicles to 40 countries, and more than 140 naval platforms to over 10 nations. Additionally, over 770 UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) and UCAVs (Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicles) were exported to 50 countries, and Turkish-built corvettes were supplied to three nations. These contributions have enhanced military capabilities across land, air, sea, and advanced weaponry sectors.

In addition to the significant exports of land and naval vehicles, Turkish companies delivered over 1,200 electro-optical and stabilized weapons systems, radar systems to 10 countries, and 1,500 loitering munitions to 11 nations. Rifles and pistols were supplied to 111 countries, and the TAI Hurkus ground attack aircraft was sold to two nations.

Haluk Gorgun, president of Türkiye’s Defence Industry Agency (SSB), highlighted the extensive use of indigenous technology in the country’s defence products, with over 80 per cent of production utilizing domestic technology. Supported by a robust research and development budget approaching $3 billion, Türkiye’s defence sector continues to thrive, with a project volume exceeding $100 billion in 2024—a 29 per cent increase compared to the previous year.

Europe emerged as the top market for Turkish defence exports, with a strong demand for UAVs, smart missiles, land vehicles, military vessels, and radar systems. A key achievement for the sector was the export of the ASELFLIR-500 electro-optical reconnaissance system by Aselsan, which was supplied to 16 countries. Moreover, military vessels were delivered to Portugal, highlighting Türkiye’s expanding naval defence capabilities.

The Turkish defence industry also made significant strides in aerospace technology, with the development of engines for the Altay tank, the TAI Kaan fighter jet, and the TAI Gokbey twin-engine helicopter. In space technology, Türkiye entered the testing phase of its TAI Gokturk-2 observation satellite, further enhancing its space defence capabilities.

The defence sector’s impressive growth is supported by over 3,500 firms and more than 1,100 active projects, positioning Türkiye as a global leader in defence manufacturing. Last year, the country applied for the highest number of NATO projects, solidifying its role as a key contributor to allied defence efforts.

As Türkiye continues to expand its defence capabilities, the nation remains a critical partner for countries seeking advanced military technologies and solutions, reinforcing its position as a formidable force in the global defence industry.

By Vafa Guliyeva