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Turkish Engine Industries (TEI) is targeting multiple international engine contracts, while Machine and Chemical Industry (MKE) confirmed Türkiye's first naval gun export during a press briefing on Friday for the 17th International Defense Industry Fair (IDEF 2025).
Presidential Defense Industries President Haluk Gorgun hosted the briefing with general managers of defense industry organizations at the Defense Industries Presidency ahead of the July 22-27 fair in Istanbul.
The event will feature over 1,400 companies, including over 900 domestic firms and over 400 foreign companies from 44 countries, according to Turkish Armed Forces Foundation General Manager Bilal Topcu.
TEI General Manager Mahmut Faruk Aksit outlined ambitious plans for international partnerships at the defense fair.
"We have scheduled meetings with 15 different companies and institutions from seven different countries. God willing, we will try to turn these into opportunities. In these meetings, we will be discussing our five original engines, and we will pursue opportunities for contracts for five different international engines," Aksit said.
Aksit emphasized TEI's transformation from a manufacturing-only company to one producing original new products, describing IDEF as a window for international cooperation.
The company will showcase historic aviation achievements for the first time, including engines from Türkiye's aviation history and the PD-170 engine that broke world records with Aksungur at over 40,000 feet altitude, demonstrated 45-hour flight capability, and powered the TB3 aircraft operations from the TCG Anadolu ship.
"You can see one of the engines that carried out the first manned flight in Turkish aviation history in the sky, the real engine at our stand. You will also see our PD-170 engine, which broke the world record by rising above 40 thousand feet with AKSUNGUR last year, showed the ability to keep it in the air for 45 hours, and at the same time lifted and landed our TB3 from our Anadolu ship," Aksit said.
The TF-6000 engine will also be displayed at the stand, with TEI continuing to develop the ecosystem to support these engines.
MKE Deputy General Manager Tolga Celik confirmed a milestone achievement for Turkish defense exports.
"MKE, which made Türkiye's first gun export to Europe last year, will also make Türkiye's first naval gun export at this fair," Celik said, though noting the recipient country requested the contract details remain confidential.
MKE will participate with the slogan "Power Redefined: We Come to Break the Mold," showcasing solution-producing concept products and agreements with allies across multiple continents.
"At this fair, there will be agreements that we will sign with our allies from three continents, although we cannot share some of them with you right now. MKE, which is entirely owned by the Republic of Türkiye, will continue to add strength to our country and our allies by growing and developing," Celik said.
"Among the products that MKE will exhibit, there will be systems newly added to our current capabilities. We will carry out their launches together with you at the fair. The products we will launch will be semi-automatic sniper rifles. There will be various caliber tower-integrated weapon systems."
"Drone technologies, smart drone ammunition products, new generation heavy caliber ammunition propulsion systems, drone ammunition, unmanned aircraft interceptors, and the kamikaze drone family," Celik added.
The company will debut the unmanned naval vehicle PIRANA for the first time with all stakeholders at IDEF, showcasing not only new products but also process improvements and corporate strategic transformation.
Gorgun revealed substantial expansion in defense cooperation with Indonesia: "We currently have contracts worth several billion dollars with Indonesia, and there are new contracts worth several times that amount in question."
Gorgun announced Türkiye's decision to appoint a defense industry advisor to Indonesia, with selection completed and the appointee expected to begin duties soon.
"We have very close cooperation and major projects with Pakistan in a similar way. We have technology sharing and activities that support and strengthen each other's defense industries. Our companies continue their visits, meetings, and work without interruption," Gorgun added.
Gorgun also provided concrete updates on the domestic tank program: "We will deliver three Altay tanks this year. Our company is building a large tank production facility in Ankara. Both its opening and its delivery will be done together."
The tanks continue qualification testing with additional user requirements, and Gorgun indicated delivery would occur during a national holiday.
Gorgun also positioned Türkiye as a global leader in electronic warfare capabilities, stating, "In electronic warfare, Türkiye is among the top five in the world. As a technology army, we work diligently to produce domestically and nationally every type of defense system needed by our army and for the security of our country and borders."
He noted ASELSAN's selection for the consortium established to design Europe's and NATO's air defense system architecture, demonstrating advanced technology capabilities. Türkiye has exported over 5,000 land vehicles to more than 50 countries, establishing itself as a significant global player in ground systems.
Topcu detailed the fair's unprecedented scale and international reach, stating: "IDEF has become an important meeting point for all professionals interested in defense and security areas, offering products and solutions in a wide range of land, sea, aviation, space, transportation, security, logistics, and supply fields; world-class important defense organizations; industrial leaders; military personnel and defense technologies."
"More than 900 domestic and more than 400 foreign companies from 44 different countries—more than 1400 companies—will participate in our fair. In addition, as state guests, 219 delegations and 937 delegation members from 99 countries and international organizations are participating in our fair," Topcu said.
For the first time, the four major foundation companies—Aselsan, TAI, Roketsan, and Havelsan—will be distributed across different halls rather than concentrated in one location.
"We decided to separate these companies into different halls. We made this decision thinking about our other participants as well. Through this, we believe that the circulation of visitors and delegations will be distributed more evenly across the fair area," Topcu explained.
The fair will feature IDEF Port at Atakoy Marina, replacing traditional ship visits, with 14 naval platforms on display.
Small ships and unmanned naval vehicles will be exhibited at the marina, while TCG Anadolu and other warships will be positioned in the open seas.
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