Turkish defence exports jump 12% to $2bn in 2026

Turkey’s defence exports have increased 12 percent year on year to $1.9 billion in the first quarter of 2026, a government official has said.

Defence and aerospace exports were worth $803 million in March alone, the state-run Anadolu news agency reported, quoting Haluk Gorgun, secretary of Turkish Defense Industries.

“Our defence and aerospace industry continues its stable growth due to international collaboration and expanding market network,” he said.

Ankara exported $30.7 billion worth of defence products between 2020 and 2025, according to the Daily Sabah newspaper. Exports hit an all-time high of $8.5 billion last year.

At least 3,500 companies operate in the defence sector and provide employment for 100,000 people, the newspaper said.

In January Turkish defence manufacturer STM said it was exploring joint production and development of advanced unmanned aerial vehicle systems with Qatar-based Barzan Holdings.

In February Saudi Arabian Military Industries (Sami), which is owned by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, signed a deal with Turkey’s ULAQ Global Autonomous Systems to jointly develop unmanned surface vehicles in the kingdom. 

In August 2023 Sami signed an agreement with Turkish defence company Baykar Tech to localise drone manufacturing in the country.

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