Record Exports for Turkey's Defense and Aerospace Industry
Turkey's defense and aerospace industry has set a new record this year with exports reaching nearly $5.8 billion as of November, marking the highest annual sales ever for the sector.
Steady Growth in Outbound Shipments
According to data from the Turkish Exporters Assembly (TIM), the industry saw a 19% year-over-year increase in outbound shipments, totaling almost $5.76 billion from January to November.
Continuous Export Growth in the Sector
Exports in the past 12 months grew by 18.4% year-over-year, reaching a total of $6.48 billion, showcasing the sector's consistent growth.
Combat Drones Boost Exports
The record-breaking year was largely attributed to the surge in defense exports driven by combat drones, which reached $5.5 billion in 2023, surpassing the previous peak of $4.4 billion in 2022.
Positive Outlook for Future Exports
Officials are optimistic about the sector's future, with expectations that the export figures could reach close to $7 billion by the end of 2024.
Industry Strengthens Global Presence
Highlighting the industry's global reach, Haluk Görgün, the head of the Presidency of Defense Industries (SSB), noted that Turkish defense companies successfully exported their products to 178 different countries in 2024.
Reducing Foreign Dependency
Through significant investments over the past two decades, Turkey has managed to decrease its foreign dependency in the defense industry from 80% in the early 2000s to around 20% today, showcasing the nation's progress towards self-sufficiency.
Shift Towards Homegrown Systems
Ankara's investment drive has led to the development of various domestic air, land, and marine platforms, enabling Turkey to secure billions of dollars in export deals and significantly reduce its reliance on foreign equipment.
