Turkish defence exports near $11B as NATO sales accelerate

Turkish defence and aerospace industry exports to NATO countries have risen sharply over the past year, underlining the sector’s growing role in Türkiye’s trade with allied nations. Ahead of next week’s NATO summit in Ankara, data compiled by Anadolu showed a notable increase in overseas sales. Türkiye’s defence and aerospace exports jumped 47.1% year‑on‑year in the 12 months from June 2025 to May 2026, reaching $10.9 billion, up from $7.4 billion in the previous period.

NATO allies lead exports

During the period, Turkish defence and aerospace products were exported to 178 countries, with NATO members forming the largest share at $6.2 billion, or 57.3% of total exports. The top three destinations were also NATO allies, reflecting Türkiye’s expanding defence industry cooperation within the alliance. The rise in exports was supported by international contacts, bilateral meetings, and defence industry diplomacy coordinated by Türkiye’s Defence Industries Secretariat.

High value‑added exports

The sector’s growth was also reflected in its high value‑added nature. The export value per kilogram in Türkiye’s defence and aerospace industry stood at $65.16, compared with Türkiye’s overall average of $1.62 per kilogram, generating nearly 40 times higher value per kilogram. Türkiye has strengthened its position not only as a supplier of defence products but also as a country developing technology, establishing joint production models, and building long‑term cooperation with allies. The strong export performance is expected to be a key talking point at the Ankara summit.