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Turkey’s defense export surge
Turkey has transformed its defense industry over two decades into a major exporter of drones and military equipment, and it now supplies nearly 40 countries with weapons that buyers describe as cheaper, faster to deliver, and more adaptable than alternatives.
“Turkish defence exports - including the high-profile armed drones used by Ukrainian forces - have more than tripled since 2021 to $10 billion last year”
A Reuters review cited by Global Banking & Finance Review says Turkish defense exports have more than tripled since 2021 to $10 billion last year, accounting for about 3.7% of Turkey’s total exports.
The same Reuters review says exports to Europe and the U.S. almost quadrupled over the same period to $5.6 billion, reflecting a maturing domestic defense industry that includes drone-maker Baykar and Turkish Aerospace Industries.
Turkey’s defense industry is also positioned for further expansion, with the Turkish Defense Industries Agency aiming to double defense exports in two years, potentially generating vital revenues as it looks to pay down debt and fund further development.
NATO summit and European barriers
Ankara is preparing to host NATO leaders at a summit in the coming months, and Turkish officials say defense industries will be a central theme at the NATO meeting in Ankara on July 7–8.
Al-Jazeera Net reports that Turkish companies aim to increase arms sales and joint production in Western markets, especially the European Union, where they face structural barriers including defense initiatives limited to member states and political resistance linked to broader diplomatic rifts.
In April, Turkish Defense Minister Yasar Guler urged European allies to abandon security arrangements that exclude non-EU NATO members such as Turkey, saying such policies could "harm Europe's security and resilience more than the U.S. reduction of forces in Europe".
Even with those obstacles, the Reuters analysis cited by Al-Jazeera Net says Turkish companies have signed defense equipment and weapons supply deals with Poland, Spain, Portugal, and Romania, and Baykar acquired Italian Piaggio Aerospace and entered into a production partnership with Leonardo.
What’s at stake next
Turkey’s defense push is tied to both opportunity and risk, with the Reuters review cited by Global Banking & Finance Review describing Turkey’s security as at stake because it sits between Ukraine to the north and Iran to the southeast.
“Turkey's own security is also at stake, given its gaps in air defences and jet and tank engines”
The same Reuters review says Turkey has gaps in air defences and jet and tank engines that could be addressed through trade and technology deals, while Can Kasapoglu said Turkey’s defense industry made a "major leap" by exporting advanced systems, especially aerial drones.
Al-Jazeera Net adds that the Turkish Defense Industries Agency aims to double its weapons exports within two years, which it says could generate significant revenue as Ankara seeks to repay its debts and fund more development.
Beyond the NATO summit, the Reuters review cited by Global Banking & Finance Review says Turkey supplies about 65% of armed drones used worldwide and is a major exporter of ammunition, while it also produces or plans to produce frigates, an aircraft carrier, air defence systems and armoured vehicles.