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Türkiye hosted one of the world’s largest defense fairs in Istanbul, with the IDEF defense fair featuring more than 400 international firms from 44 countries. During the event, Türkiye showcased several new defense products.
IDEF 2025 served as a platform to demonstrate Türkiye’s expanding defense capabilities. But what is driving the rapid growth of Türkiye’s defense industry?
Expectations indicate that Türkiye’s defense industry will continue its upward trajectory in the coming years. Several strategic systems, including the fifth-generation KAAN fighter jet and the SIPER air-defense system, remain under development and are planned to enter service within the next five years.
Türkiye’s defense transformation began as a national initiative to reduce dependence on foreign arms imports. Today, the country meets more than 80% of its defense needs with domestically produced goods—a significant leap from the initial 20%.
Foreign reliance now primarily remains in the areas of fighter jets and air-defense systems. However, this dependency is expected to be fully or partially addressed through the development of the KAAN and SIPER programs.
Returning to the initial question, Türkiye has shifted its rationale for advancing its defense industry. What began as an effort to reduce external dependency has evolved into a geopolitical asset. The defense industry is no longer viewed solely as a domestic necessity but as a strategic tool to advance Turkish foreign policy interests.
According to SIPRI, Türkiye ranked as the 11th largest arms exporter in the world between 2020 and 2024, achieving a staggering growth rate of 103%.
Türkiye is pursuing two main goals. First, it aims to enhance its role within NATO and contribute to collective defense efforts alongside its allies. Türkiye has exported various weapon systems, including ammunition, firearms, and drones, to its NATO allies. At a time when European nations are increasingly concerned about their reliance on the U.S. security umbrella, Türkiye is emerging as a strategic partner in building a European defense network.
Second, Türkiye seeks to expand its influence by filling a strategic void. It presents itself as an alternative supplier for countries unable to procure American or European arms yet unwilling to turn to China or Russia. For these nations, Türkiye offers a viable option: defense products built to NATO standards, but at lower costs.
Through arms exports, Türkiye establishes strategic relationships that grant it geopolitical leverage. Its non-NATO partners are also benefiting from Turkish defense products. Through its defense industry and military capabilities—including training and advisory support—Türkiye is helping build the defense capacities of its partners.
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