Türkiye has achieved a significant breakthrough in its defense and aerospace sector by surpassing $11 billion in exports over a continuous 12-month period for the first time. This achievement underscores the growing strength of the nation’s defense industry. In June alone, exports in this sector reached $802.8 million, reflecting a substantial 29.6% increase compared to the same month in the previous year. The first half of the year saw exports rise by 29.5% year-on-year, reaching a total of $4.67 billion.
Haluk Görgün, the President of the Presidency of Defense Industries (SSB), highlighted that the surge in exports is driven by rising global interest in Turkish defense products. This growth is further supported by the ongoing expansion of Türkiye’s defense manufacturing capabilities. Görgün emphasized that the country’s defense systems have proven their effectiveness in real-world scenarios, which has been instrumental in building enduring international relationships.
Over the past two decades, Türkiye has made remarkable strides in developing its domestic defense industry, thereby reducing its dependency on foreign military equipment. This strategic shift has enabled Türkiye to emerge as a significant player in the global defense export market.
Currently, Türkiye’s defense industry exports over 230 different products to 185 countries worldwide. The country is focused on enhancing its standing among the leading 10 defense exporters globally, aiming to build on this recent export milestone.