Turkey Raises Defense, Aerospace Export Targets for 2026

(MENAFN) Turkey is setting ambitious goals for its defense and aerospace sector in 2026, building on a decade of record export growth and achieving an average export turnover per capita of $100,000.

Haluk Gorgun, president of Turkey’s Defense Industries Secretariat, highlighted that Turkey has become a key global player in defense and aerospace amid increasing global conflicts, proxy wars, and hybrid threats that complicate international security.

Speaking at the fifth Defense and Aerospace Industry Global Strategies Conference, Gorgun said Turkey’s vision of a fully independent defense industry has positioned the country as a strategic partner. He added that this transformation brings Turkey closer to its goal of ranking among the top 10 defense exporters worldwide.

In 2025, the Secretariat carried out 485 international activities, including 401 bilateral meetings with 94 countries, 17 defense industry meetings, 22 global events, 17 multinational activities, and 21 industry days, while accompanying President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on seven overseas visits.

Gorgun noted that Turkey’s defense export success strengthened relations with NATO countries and expanded the presence of Turkish defense products in eastern markets. He also highlighted cooperation with Syria, saying that a comprehensive export package was implemented to meet the country’s defense and security needs after regaining stability following years of civil war and destruction.

Turkey’s defense and aerospace exports reached $10.54 billion in 2025, up 48 percent from the previous year, with the sector’s share of total exports rising from 1.7 percent in 2022 to 3.6 percent in 2025. Europe remained the largest destination for Turkish defense exports.

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