Turkiye's Defense Industry: From Importer to Global Exporter

Turkiye has undergone one of the most remarkable defense industrial transformations of any nation. In the early 2000s, Turkey was dependent on foreign suppliers for virtually all major weapon systems. Today, Turkish defense companies produce everything from fifth-generation stealth fighters to armed drones, corvettes, main battle tanks, air defense systems, and precision munitions.

The Baykar company's TB2 drone became the symbol of this transformation. Its combat debut in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict in 2020, followed by extensive use in Libya and Ukraine, demonstrated that a relatively inexpensive unmanned system could reshape battlefield dynamics. The follow-on Akinci drone carries a heavier payload and more advanced sensors, while the Bayraktar TB3, designed for operations from the TCG Anadolu amphibious assault ship, extends Turkey's power projection capabilities.

The KAAN fifth-generation fighter program represents Turkiye's most ambitious defense project. Turkish Aerospace Industries leads the development of this twin-engine stealth aircraft, which aims to reduce dependence on foreign fighter suppliers after Turkey was expelled from the F-35 program over its S-400 purchase from Russia. Meanwhile, indigenous systems like the Hisar air defense family, the ATMACA anti-ship missile, and the Altay main battle tank demonstrate breadth across domains.

Turkiye's defense exports have grown dramatically, reaching over $5 billion annually and encompassing customers across Africa, Central Asia, the Middle East, and Eastern Europe. This export success translates directly into geopolitical influence, as defense partnerships create long-term strategic relationships. Ankara has used its growing defense industrial base as a tool of foreign policy, offering systems that Western nations are often unwilling to sell, at prices that undercut traditional defense exporters.