Turkish defense and aerospace exports hit record $8.5 billion in 2025

Türkiye's defense and aerospace sector has recorded a historic export figure of $8.5 billion for 2025, officials announced at the 7th Defense Industry Meetings in Istanbul. This achievement underscores a dramatic shift for the national industry, which has concurrently slashed its external dependency rate from approximately 80% to just 20%, marking a strategic triumph in self-sufficiency.

A Remarkable Transformation in Self-Reliance

Haluk Görgün, President of Türkiye's Defense Industries Agency, highlighted the results at the summit, which convened key stakeholders from the sector. A particularly significant metric revealed by Murat İkinci, CEO of leading defense firm Roketsan, was the drastic reduction in foreign dependency. This indicates that roughly 80% of the defense industry's needs are now met through domestic production, a cornerstone of Türkiye's long-term strategic autonomy.

Ambitious Growth Trajectory and Sectoral Focus

The industry shows no signs of slowing down. Murat İkinci projected that export revenues will exceed $10 billion in 2026, citing a consistent annual growth pattern. "This year it increased by over 30%, and we frankly want to maintain a similar rate next year as well," he stated. The summit's discussions centered on "Supply Chain and Sustainability," reflecting the sector's focus on building resilient and enduring industrial ecosystems to support its global ambitions.

Context of a Globally Competitive Industry

This export surge places Türkiye among the world's significant players in the competitive defense and aerospace market. The growth is powered by internationally recognized products, including drones, armored vehicles, missiles, and modern warships, which have proven their effectiveness in various global theaters. The successful model of public-private partnerships and focused R&D investment continues to drive the sector's expansion and global market penetration.