Turkey's Defense Industry Achievements in 2024
Turkey had a successful year in 2024 in its defense industry, with significant advancements in product development, mass production, research and development, and innovation, according to Haluk Görgün, the head of the Presidency of Defense Industries (SSB).
Exports to 185 Countries
Görgün announced that Turkey exported its defense products to 185 countries in 2024, surpassing $7 billion in export earnings. He expressed optimism about reaching two-digit export figures within the next two years, with a considerable number of defense industry companies already engaged in exports.
Focus on European Partnerships
Highlighting the importance of European collaborations, Görgün mentioned that most of Turkey's agreements in 2024 were with European countries. He noted that five out of the top 10 countries receiving Turkish defense exports were European nations.
Increased Engagement with NATO
Görgün revealed that 2024 saw a significant rise in project applications to NATO, with plans for enhanced cooperation in 2025. He emphasized upcoming meetings with NATO officials to strengthen partnerships and discussed the growing collaboration with Portugal in military ship exports.
Strides in Research and Development
Görgün highlighted Turkey's focus on research and development activities, particularly in collaboration with universities and companies to shape future technologies. The defense industry's R&D budget, localization rate, and project volume all saw substantial growth in 2024.
Exporting Advanced Defense Systems
Noteworthy achievements in 2024 included Aselsan's contract to export avionics for civilian training aircraft and the successful entry of Turkey's long-range air defense systems into foreign inventories. Görgün emphasized Turkey's transformation into an exporter of air defense systems, reflecting the country's increasing self-reliance in defense production.
Transformation of Turkey's Defense Industry
Over the past two decades, Turkey's significant investments in the defense industry have led to a shift from reliance on foreign equipment to a self-sufficient ecosystem. The country's focus on indigenous platforms has not only strengthened its defense capabilities but also resulted in substantial export deals, showcasing Turkey as a key player in the global defense market.
