Türkiye’s defense and aerospace sector has achieved a significant milestone, surpassing $11 billion in exports over a rolling 12-month period for the first time. This achievement underscores the rapid growth and international competitiveness of the country’s defense industry. In June alone, exports in this sector reached $802.8 million, marking a 29.6% increase compared to the previous year. Throughout the first half of the year, the industry saw a 29.5% year-on-year rise, with exports totaling $4.67 billion.
The impressive growth in Türkiye’s defense exports is attributed to a heightened global demand for its defense products and the continuous development of its manufacturing capabilities. Haluk Görgün, the President of the Presidency of Defense Industries (SSB), highlighted that Turkish defense systems have proven their effectiveness through real-world operations, which has been instrumental in forging long-term international collaborations.
Over the past two decades, Türkiye has significantly bolstered its domestic defense industry, aiming to lessen its dependency on foreign military equipment. This strategic shift has not only enhanced its self-reliance but also positioned the nation as a key player in the global defense market. Currently, Türkiye exports more than 230 different defense products to 185 countries worldwide.
As Türkiye continues to expand its presence in the international defense arena, it is setting its sights on becoming one of the world’s top 10 defense exporters. This ambition reflects the country’s commitment to strengthening its defense manufacturing sector and establishing itself as a leading global supplier of advanced defense systems.