SAHA Istanbul Secretary General Muttalip Tütüncü stated that in order for the Turkish defense industry to maintain its current growth momentum, taking a greater place in global markets is no longer an option.
The production and technology ecosystem that Turkey has created in the defense industry in recent years is moving beyond growth in the domestic market to the stage of gaining a stronger position in global markets.
SAHA Istanbul Secretary General Muttalip Tütüncü, who was a guest at the Anadolu Agency (AA) Technology Desk, prepared with the contributions of ROKETSAN; Stating that the Turkish defense industry has grown largely within its own market conditions so far, he said that it has become necessary to get more shares from international markets in order for the sector to maintain its current level and move it forward.
Tütüncü's statements indicate that it has become critical for Turkey to not only increase its platform and system development capacity in the defense industry in the coming period, but also to present these technologies to global markets and move domestic companies to higher levels in international supply chains.
SAHA Istanbul brings together more than 1400 companies
Founded by 27 companies in 2015, SAHA Istanbul has reached over 1400 members today. More than 80 percent of the cluster's members are SMEs.
This structure shows that the defense and aerospace industry in Turkey does not consist only of large prime contractors, but also that many SMEs are part of the ecosystem in different technology and production areas. One of the main goals of SAHA Istanbul is to ensure that these companies are included in the supply chains of main contractors, as well as developing their own products and opening up to international markets.
While Tütüncü explained the growth of SAHA Istanbul with the natural development of the sector rather than an active member recruitment policy, he stated that the current structure has become one of the largest defense and aerospace clusters in Europe.
The main goal: Transforming SMEs from subcontractors to exporters
The development of large platforms in Turkey's defense industry is mainly carried out by main contractors. SMEs, on the other hand, play an important role in the ecosystem with the sub-components, sub-systems and various production capabilities of these systems.
However, in order to gain a greater share in the global market, part of this model needs to change.
One of the main points emphasized by Tütüncü is that SMEs are turning into exporters that can offer their own products to international markets, rather than being companies that only supply products to main contractors.
In this context, efforts are being carried out to open companies to foreign markets through the International Competitiveness Development (URGE) project, which is carried out with the support of the Ministry of Industry and Technology. Sectoral trainings given within the scope of SAHA Academy and MBA programs carried out with different institutions are among the activities aimed at improving not only the technical but also the management and commercial capabilities of companies.
The new war concept creates a different market for SMEs
The transformation in defense technologies also creates significant changes in which areas SMEs should focus on in the global market.
According to Tütüncü, while large platforms remain largely within the expertise of main contractors, high-tech, cost-effective and quickly produced systems represent a more important opportunity for SMEs.
This approach has gained more importance in recent years with the emergence of unmanned systems that are lower cost and can be used in large numbers in conflict areas.
In addition to classical and high-cost platforms, low-cost sensors, electronic systems, unmanned platforms, ammunition subsystems and various autonomous solutions are increasingly used in the modern warfare environment.
For this reason, it is an important area for SMEs in Turkey to develop products that directly meet a specific need and can be sold independently in the international market, instead of only producing subsystems for large platforms, in terms of increasing export capacity.
The “Competition” model stands out
How to manage the competition between Turkish companies in the process of opening up to the international market is also an important topic.
Tütüncü stated that SAHA Istanbul defines this approach as "competition", that is, competition and togetherness.
The basic approach here is that Turkish companies can create stronger offers by combining their capabilities rather than competing directly with each other in tenders abroad.
For example, in a situation where one company specializes in sensors, another in software, and another in mechanical or electronic infrastructure, these companies coming up with a common solution instead of acting individually can increase their competitiveness against international prime contractors.
This model is especially important for SMEs. Because companies that do not have the capacity to develop a large platform or integrated system on their own can become involved in larger international projects through consortia or supply relationships with different companies.
Turkey's defense exports exceeded the 10 billion dollar threshold
Tütüncü pointed out that Turkey's defense exports exceeded the 10 billion dollar threshold.
In addition, he stated that all five Turkish companies in the 2026 ranking published by Defense News are members of the SAHA Istanbul Board of Directors. This table shows that the defense industry ecosystem in Turkey has gained visibility not only in the domestic supply chain, but also on an international scale through large companies in the global defense industry rankings.
However, in order for the increase in export volume to become sustainable, it may not be enough for companies to only sell their existing products to different countries.
In a market where technological transformation is accelerating, products must be constantly developed, costs must be kept under control and they must be adapted to the needs of different countries.
Interest in Turkey in defense technology is increasing
Tütüncü stated that Turkish defense companies, which faced various embargoes and supply restrictions in the past, are now receiving more intense interest from different countries.
Citing Canada as an example in this context, Tütüncü stated that after the restrictions Turkey experienced in accessing UAV cameras in the past, electro-optical systems such as ASELFLIR-500 and ASELFLIR-600 were developed by ASELSAN, and these products are now offered to the international market.
Tütüncü also stated that strategic cooperation negotiations are being held with Canada in the defense industry and that technical and ministerial delegations from the country regularly come to Turkey.
This example shows that reducing foreign dependency in the defense industry can have results not only in terms of supply security but also in the emergence of new export products.
Dual-use technologies can create new growth areas
Another topic that Tütüncü draws attention to is dual-use technologies.
The fact that some technologies developed for the defense industry can also be used in the civilian field may enable companies to create a wider market without depending solely on defense orders.
Tütüncü cited camera technologies as an example and pointed out that a company that develops cameras for UCAVs can use the same technology infrastructure in products such as civilian security cameras.
This approach is especially important for SMEs. Because of the long development and procurement processes of defense projects, companies' diversification of their income may provide an advantage in terms of the sustainability of R&D investments.
Civil aviation and space are also targeted
SAHA Istanbul's growth target is not limited to the defense industry.
Tütüncü pointed out that propulsion, navigation, radar and imaging technologies developed in the defense industry can also be used in the space field. The presence of the National Space and Aviation Committee within SAHA Istanbul shows that studies in this field are carried out under a separate heading.
The 77th International Astronautical Congress, which Turkey will organize in Antalya on October 5-9, is expected to be an important platform in this respect. The event is planned to be held under the coordination of the Ministry of Industry and Technology, hosted by the Turkish Space Agency and co-hosted by SAHA Istanbul.
On the civil aviation side, it is noted that global aircraft manufacturers are looking for new production centers to meet increasing orders. Tütüncü stated that Turkey is among the countries that can play a greater role in this production chain.
New phase for Türkiye: Exporting competence
The infrastructure that Turkey has created in the defense industry in recent years is no longer evaluated only in terms of meeting domestic needs.
One of the main issues in the coming period will be the inclusion of developed technologies into global supply chains with higher added value.
At this point, while the role of main contractors in large platforms and systems continues, it becomes critical for SMEs to develop their own products, comply with international certification and supply chain requirements, and gain a direct exporter identity.
