Turkey's Defense Industry Surges Forward, Exceeding 80% Localization

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan recently emphasized the country's defense industry prowess at the 17th International Defense Industry Fair in Istanbul. Erdogan announced that defense production localization has exceeded 80 percent, positioning Turkey as a major player in the global defense market. The president's comments come as Turkish companies continue to make strides in UAV and UCAV technology, with Bayraktar's Bayraktar TB2 playing a significant role in the Ukrainian war.

Key Takeaways:

• Turkish companies supplied 65 of every 100 UAVs sold globally last year, solidifying the country's position as one of the three leading countries in the world in UAV and UCAV technology.
• The Turkish defense industry has achieved 80% localization, meeting almost all the needs of security units with its own resources.
• Turkish firms unveiled a number of UAVs, including vertical lift and landing drones, as well as first-person view kamikaze drones at the IDEF 2025 fair.
• Turkey is among the 10 countries in the world that designs, develops, and manufactures its own warships, with several export contracts in place.
• The country has become the 11th-largest defense exporter worldwide.
• Erdogan stressed that the Turkish defense industry has overcome embargoes, double standards, and diplomatic pressures to achieve its current state.

Statistics:

• 65 of every 100 UAVs sold globally were supplied by Turkish companies last year.
• The Turkish defense industry has achieved 80% localization.
• Turkish companies have developed over 1,380 projects with a turnover exceeding $20 billion.
• The Turkish defense industry employs a qualified staff of 100,000 people.
• Turkey is among the 10 countries in the world that designs, develops, and manufactures its own warships.

Sources:

• Anadol, another Turkish broadcaster.
• A photo by Arif Hudaverdi Yaman/Anadolu via Getty Images.
• A photo by Yavuz Ozden/ dia images via Getty Images.