Turkey’s defence industry is making impressive strides, with record-breaking arms exports of $4.4 billion in 2022, exceeding the defence budgets of certain European countries. The industry boasts a turnover of $10 billion and is made up of 2,000 companies, which have benefited from significant investment by the state over the past two decades. The government’s aim is to develop a modern and self-reliant defence sector, with the goal of raising defence exports to $6 billion in 2023.
According to The Turkish News Portal, The effectiveness of Turkey’s military production, although small compared to major global players, has garnered attention and acclaim. Notably, the Bayraktar drone has been particularly successful, leading to improved international relations with states such as Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, Poland, Saudi Arabia, and Tunisia.
At the Middle East’s largest arms fair, IDEX, held in Abu Dhabi in February, Turkey’s presence was prominent, with large pavilions showcasing a variety of equipment. In addition to filling NATO stockpiles, Turkey’s defence manufacturers anticipate substantial demand from the country’s own military, which is the second largest army in NATO after the United States.
