MİLLİYET.COM.TR / The transformation in Turkey's defense industry is no longer limited only to the weapon systems developed or export figures. The sector, which grows with multi-billion dollar agreements, also plays a decisive role in Ankara's military relations with different countries.
One of the developments highlighted in the analysis published by US-based Al-Monitor was the contract size that Turkish defense companies reached this year and the new target they have in front of them.
'20 BILLION DOLLAR TARGET'
According to Al-Monitor's analysis, Turkish defense industry companies have signed new contracts worth $15 billion so far in 2026. The analysis said, "This amount is expected to reach 20 billion dollars by the end of the year. If this target is achieved, the Turkish defense industry will reach a remarkable size in new contracts. A record is at the door."
In addition, it was pointed out in the analysis that the total of orders given to domestic suppliers and not yet completed exceeded 13.4 billion dollars, and it was evaluated that "These figures reveal that Turkey has created a growing capacity in the defense industry not only with new sales but also with long-term production and supply processes."
'THE DOOR IS OPENING'
In the analysis, it was emphasized that Turkey's investments in domestic production of unmanned aerial vehicles, missiles and other military systems in recent years formed the basis of this rise. "Systems developed with the aim of reducing dependence on foreign suppliers today open the door to multi-billion dollar agreements and independence in international markets."
'DOUBLED GROWTH IN THREE YEARS'
While stating in the Al-Monitor news that the growth in the defense industry is also reflected in the total turnover of the sector, he evaluated: "According to official data announced in January, the annual turnover of the Turkish defense industry was at the level of 10.16 billion dollars in 2021, and increased to 20.2 billion dollars in 2024. Defense and aerospace exports also accompanied this growth. According to the data of the Presidency of Defense Industries of Turkey, the exports of the sector exceeded 10 billion dollars in 2025."
While it was stated that the rise continued in 2026, it was stated that "According to the data announced by Ankara at the beginning of this month, defense and aerospace exports reached 6.93 billion dollars in the first nine months of the year. This figure means a 15.6 percent increase compared to the same period last year. This acceleration in exports and the growth in new contracts make the sector's year-end target even more remarkable."
'40 TIMES MORE INCOME'
One of the most striking data that stood out in Al-Monitor analysis was the high added value provided by Turkish defense industry products in exports.
While it was stated that defense industry exports grew faster than Türkiye's general exports, it was evaluated that "Defense products provide approximately 40 times more income compared to the country's average export products. This difference also reveals the importance of high-tech defense products for the Turkish economy. The production range ranging from unmanned aerial vehicles to missiles, from different military systems to aviation technologies affects Türkiye's position in international markets as well as export revenues."
'IT WAS THE BIGGEST DEAL OF THE PERIOD'
Another topic highlighted in Al-Monitor's analysis was Türkiye's transformation of its defense industry into an effective tool in foreign policy. According to the analysis, large-scale defense deals do not only involve the sale of military equipment; It also paves the way for technology transfer, joint production and broader military cooperation.
The analysis said, "One of the prominent examples of this approach is the relations developed with Saudi Arabia. Turkey signed an agreement worth over 3 billion dollars to supply Bayraktar AKINCI unmanned aerial vehicles to Saudi Arabia in 2023. This agreement was Türkiye's largest defense export agreement at that time."
On the other hand, it was stated that the cooperation was not limited to the sale of aircraft, and that "In the same year, agreements were made in Saudi Arabia for the production of unmanned aerial vehicle components and the transfer of production information. Thus, the defense relations between Turkey and Saudi Arabia went beyond product supply and also included the sharing of production capacity and technical information."
'IT IS NOT LIMITED TO NUMBERS ONLY'
Finally, in its analysis, it was stated that "The growth in Türkiye's defense industry is not limited to economic figures alone. Billion-dollar agreements create a new relationship network with technology transfer, joint production, military training and long-term defense partnerships. The new 15 billion dollar contract signed in 2026 and the 20 billion dollar target set for the end of the year are among the most current indicators of the size the sector has reached."
