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Turkiye’s booming defence industry – a quick look

Turkiye’s booming defence industry – a quick look

  • 17.03.2025 06:29
  • aljazeera.com
  • Keywords: NoCompanies

Turkiye has grown into a major defense exporter by developing its own weapons systems, including drones, missiles, and naval ships, after initially relying on imports. Its defense industry now generates billions in exports, reaching 178 countries, with iconic products like the Bayraktar TB2 drone leading global markets.

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Context

Analysis of Turkey's Booming Defence Industry

Key Facts and Figures

  • Export Growth: defence exports reached $7.1 billion in 2024, up from $1.9 billion a decade earlier.
  • Global Rank: accounts for 1.7% of global arms exports, ranking 11th globally (2020-2024).
  • Export Destinations: defence products exported to 178 countries in the last year, marking a 103% increase compared to 2015-2019.
  • Major Customers: UAE, Pakistan, and Qatar are top buyers (2020-2024).
  • Domestic Production: over 3,000 defence companies operating across land, sea, and air capabilities.

Strategic Shifts

  • Shift to Domestic Production: established SAGEB in 1985; transitioned from international collaboration to local production due to restrictions on imports.
  • Focus on Innovation: developed advanced systems like the "Steel Dome" AI-powered missile interception system and the KAAN fifth-generation fighter jet.

Product Capabilities

  • Drones:
    • Bayraktar TB2: widely exported, with over 30 countries as buyers.
    • Anka-S: medium-altitude long-endurance UAV with a 200kg payload.
    • Karayel: tactical UAV with a 70kg payload.
  • Naval Capabilities:
    • MILGEM project: produces advanced warships, including the TCG Anadolu, an amphibious drone-carrying assault ship.
  • Armoured Vehicles:
    • Altay main battle tank: rival to Western models like Leopard and Abrams.
    • Kirpi mine-resistant vehicle: used in counterinsurgency operations.

Export Growth

  • Drone Dominance: Bayraktar TB2 exported to at least 31 countries, including Iraq, Ukraine, Kenya, Bangladesh, and Japan.
  • Global Expansion: defence products now reach 178 countries, up from fewer destinations in previous years.

Competitive Landscape

  • Market Positioning: Turkey is emerging as a low-cost, high-quality alternative to traditional defence exporters like the US and Russia.
  • Strategic Partnerships: investments in local production (e.g., jet engines for drones) aim to reduce dependency on foreign supply chains.

Innovation and Self-Reliance

  • Technological Advancements:
    • Developing AI-augmented missile systems and fifth-generation fighter jets.
    • Plans to produce in-house engines for drones and advanced combat vehicles.
  • Reduced Dependency: efforts to avoid reliance on international components, driven by past sanctions (e.g., US sanctions over S-400 purchase).

Market Implications

  • Global Defence Market: Turkey’s growth challenges traditional exporters and diversifies the global defence supply chain.
  • Developing Nations: Turkish defence products are increasingly attractive to nations seeking affordable alternatives to Western or Russian systems.
  • Strategic Diversification: countries reliant on single suppliers may turn to Turkey for balanced defence solutions.

Long-Term Effects

  • Potential Challenges:
    • Ensuring quality and reliability as production scales up.
    • Navigating international reactions to arms sales, particularly in sensitive regions like the Middle East and Africa.
  • Regulatory Impact: future regulatory scrutiny may increase due to Turkey’s growing role in global defence markets.

Regulatory Considerations

  • Past Sanctions: historical sanctions from the US and Germany highlight the risks of dependency on foreign technology.
  • Future Risks: potential for new restrictions as Turkey expands its defence exports, particularly in regions with competing interests.