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Türkiye's defense and aviation industry has achieved a landmark $7.2 billion in exports during 2024, representing a 29% increase as the country transforms from an import-dependent to a major global defense exporter, according to senior industry officials.
Haluk Bayraktar, Chairman of SAHA Istanbul's Board of Directors, announced that Türkiye's high and medium-high technology-level industrial production has reached a 47% share, significantly surpassing low-technology sectors at 17%.
"Türkiye's high and medium-high technology level industrial production reached a 47% share, managing to rise well above the 17% share of low-technology areas," Bayraktar said during SAHA Istanbul's 6th Ordinary General Assembly Meeting.
"We witnessed the multiplier effect of the National Technology Initiative spreading throughout the entire economy."
The defense industry clustering organization has experienced remarkable growth, expanding from just 27 members a decade ago to over 1,300 members today, establishing itself as Europe's largest industrial cluster.
Bayraktar highlighted the global context, noting that worldwide defense spending has reached $2.7 trillion, reflecting geopolitical tensions and security concerns, particularly with significant increases in Africa and Europe over the past five years.
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The country has achieved a dramatic reversal in its defense industry dependency, moving from 80% foreign dependence 20 years ago to 80% domestic production capability today.
"The transformation extending from Bayraktar TB2 to KAAN is not just technological development but the nation's determination to take control of its destiny," Bayraktar stated.
"We became a global brand with our original platforms like Bayraktar TB2 and TB3, Akinci, Kizilema, Anka, and KAAN. We export to more than 180 countries."
Türkiye has climbed to 11th place in global defense industry exports with a 1.6% market share, selling 230 different types of defense industry products to 185 countries in 2024.
"In a market dominated by countries like the USA, France, and Russia, Türkiye's reaching this level with its own national technologies is a result of determination and correct strategies," Bayraktar emphasized. "However, our goal is to climb even higher in this ranking."
The expansion includes strategic international acquisitions and partnerships. Baykar's purchase of the 140-year-old Italian aviation company Piaggio Aerospace and joint ventures with Leonardo demonstrate the concrete results of these efforts.
Early 2025 data indicates that export figures will significantly exceed 2024 levels, according to Bayraktar's projections.
The SAHA EXPO trade fair has evolved beyond a simple exhibition to become one of the most important meeting points for the global defense and aviation industry. Participation grew dramatically from 2022 to 2024: participating countries increased from 70 to 120, companies from 957 to 1,478, and business volume from $1.2 billion to $6.2 billion.
The fair will continue as the "SAHA 2026 International Defense, Aviation and Space Industry Fair" under the theme "Command Technology, Shape the Future," scheduled for May 5-9, 2026, at Istanbul Fair Center.
Deputy Defense Minister Suay Alpay emphasized that the defense industry has become more than a security issue, representing economic security, technological independence, and determining future generations' destiny.
"SAHA Istanbul has become a strategic carrier of our national production capabilities beyond a clustering model," Alpay said. "SAHA Istanbul also constitutes a very important part of our country's global technology vision."
The success extends from space technologies to artificial intelligence, from quantum computing to cybersecurity, demonstrating the emergence of national technology products across a wide range of fields.
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