A report by Anadolu Agency confirmed that Türkiye has achieved a major leap in the defense industries sector, as its products in this sector – which changed the concepts of wars – have become a preferred choice for many allied and friendly countries.
Turkish military products have become the focus of attention of many armies around the world, and Türkiye has risen to 11th place globally among countries exporting defense industries.
In 2024, Turkish defense and aviation industry exports achieved a new record, reaching a value of 7 billion and 154 million dollars.
The systems delivered to the Turkish security forces alone contributed at least $40 billion to the Turkish economy, according to the report.
Significant increase in defense exports
The research and development budget in the Turkish defense industries sector last year amounted to about $3 billion, and the percentage of the local component exceeded 80%, while the volume of projects increased to more than $100 billion, recording an increase of 29% compared to 2023.
In 2024, Türkiye exported about 300 defense products to more than 180 countries, and Europe came at the forefront of importers of Turkish defense products.
European imports from the Turkish defense industries sector included:
- Parades.
- Smart missiles.
- Land vehicles.
- Weapon towers.
- Warships.
- Planes and helicopters.
- Radars and simulators.
More than 3,500 companies operate in the Turkish defense industry sector, and they are implementing more than 1,100 active projects.
During the past year, Türkiye submitted the largest number of projects to participate in NATO programs, compared to previous years.
The most notable achievements in 2024 are the export of warships to Portugal.
Land and air products
During this period – the report states – Türkiye exported:
- 4,500 land vehicles to 40 countries.
- 3 battlecruisers to 3 countries.
- 140 offshore platforms to more than 10 countries.
- Ammunition and missiles to 42 countries.
- 770 marches (reconnaissance and offensive) to more than 50 countries.
- 1,200 electro-optical systems and weapons systems installed in 24 countries.
- Attack helicopters to 8 countries.
- Radars to 10 countries, and weapons, rifles and pistols of various sizes to 111 countries.
- 1,500 kamikaze (suicide) marches to 11 countries.
- Two Harkush planes to two countries.
Ambition in 2025
The Anatolia report says that after the successes it achieved during 2024, Türkiye expects to set new records in defense production and exports in 2025.
It is expected that 3 Altay tanks will be delivered to the Turkish Armed Forces after they leave the serial production line.
Efforts continue to manufacture a local engine for the Altay tank, and Türkiye is also working on developing missile propulsion engines.
Turkish engineers are continuing their efforts to develop a local engine for the local fighter “Qaan”, while plans are being made to develop a local engine for the Gokbey helicopter.
Space and aviation projects
The Turkish Aerospace and Aerospace Industries Company (Tusas) began testing a new model of the Gokturk-2 satellite, which Türkiye launched into space earlier.
It is also expected to sign contracts related to the “Milkar” and “Milkid” projects related to space communications and electronic warfare systems during the current year.
