Al -Jazeera Net Correspondents
Istanbul – Turkish defense and aviation industries continue to expand their presence in the international markets, achieving unprecedented growth in the first five months of this year, with exports of two billion and 980 million dollars, an increase of 29% compared to the same period last year, according to data from the presidency of defense industries.
This exceptional performance is an extension of an ascending curve that started since 2020, when exports amounted to $ 2.2 billion, and rose to 3.2 billion in 2021, then 4.4 billion in 2022, up to a record number in 2024 amounted to 7.15 billion dollars, exceeding government estimates by more than 11%.
According to the authority, April exports alone amounted to 539 million dollars, with an annual growth of 54%. As for the period from January to April, exports of $ 2.24 billion, an increase of 67% compared to the same period from 2023, is the highest growth rate in the history of Turkish defense industries.
The Chairman of the Defense Industries Authority, Haluk Gorgon, said that these numbers are “not a passing success”, but rather a structural shift that expresses Turkey’s ambition to reach annual exports exceeding $ 11 billion by 2028.
This growth coincided with the president’s announcement Recep Tayyip Erdogan On a major deal, he described it as “historic”, to supply 48 “Qan” fighters, the first Turkish -generation Turkish warplane to Indonesia. Türkiye has also strengthened its presence in the marine industries this year, by exporting the running boat “Olag” to Qatar, which reflects the diversity and expansion of the defensive portfolio towards unconventional markets.
Pioneer companies in export
- Bacar Company topped the list of Turkish companies exported in 2024, with revenues of one billion and 800 million dollars, driven by the expansion of its running aircraft exports to dozens of countries.
- Tosash (for air and satellite industries) at 750 million dollars.
- Breds of marine weapons with $ 644 million.
- Mechanical and chemical industries with $ 610 million.
- Arsa Defense with $ 600 million.
- Assan Company, a leader in e -industries and visual industries, has exports about 508 million dollars, benefiting from the integration of its systems into the products of other companies.
According to Gorgon, she was exported Türkiye During 2024, about 230 different products to 180 countries, which included guided missile systems, helicopters, radars, and light and medium weapons. The year witnessed an expansion in the export of drones, especially the “Bayrakdar TB2”, “Aqnji” and “phoenix” models, which were included by several European, Asian and African countries in their fleets.
Expanding the map of the markets
The Turkish Defense Export Map has expanded in recent years, bypassing traditional markets. According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, the UAE acquired 18% of Türkiye’s military exports between 2020 and 2024, followed Pakistan By 10%, then Qatar By 9.9%. In Africa, Türkiye has emerged as a major source of weapons to the western countries of the continent, which imported 11% of its needs from Ankara.
In Europe, Türkiye has entered into deals with the Czechs, Romania, Poland, Slovakia and Bulgaria, as well as the list of buyers France And Ukraine. According to data 2024, 55.4% of the total Turkish defense exports went to countries NATO Alliance And Ukraine, reflecting the deepening of Western partnerships despite political differences.
Economic and strategic crane
Turkish defense industries are no longer a traditional sector. In 2024, it represented about 1.9% of GDP, and its exports constituted 2.7% of the total Turkish exports that amounted to 262 billion dollars, according to official data. This makes this sector a growing economic crane that exceeds the commercial dimensions, towards roles related to sovereignty and foreign policy.
The Presidency of Defense Industries described these exports as a “guarantee of national security” and a “political influence tool”, considering that it enhances the independence of the Turkish military decision and expanded the diplomatic margin. She emphasized that 75% of locally produced defense systems entered service in the armies of NATO countries or Türkiye’s allies, while exports exceeded exports NATO And amplion Only half the defensive exports of 2024.
Gradual
“Türkiye has shown in recent years its ability to shift from a country imported for defense technology to a productive and exported actor within the global market equations,” said Marwa Karakuch.
She explained in her speech that the Turkish experience is still in the process of forming, but it is characterized by cumulative elements such as the diversity of products, the integration of local manufacturing, and the flexibility of response to the needs of various operating environments.
She added that progress is not only based on political momentum or regional demand, but also on an institutional structure that crystallizes within the sector, whether through companies, research and development centers, or cross -border partnerships.
In the same context, economic researcher Mustafa Akoch said that the growth in defense industries exports reflects a gradual transition towards a more complex and technical industrial economy. He considered that the presence of more than 3,500 companies in this sector, and the export revenues reaching 7.1 billion dollars, are an indication of the vitality of the field and its transformation into one of the pillars of the Turkish economy.
But he also stressed that this growth is still in its transitional, and partly benefits from geopolitical dynamics and contracts directed at the state, which makes some of it circumstantial. However, what enhances sustainability, according to his opinion, is the expansion of the contribution of small and medium -sized companies, the increase in investment in research and development, and the increasing dependence on the local component.