Turkiye has always prioritized a strong defense industry, initially relying on foreign purchases before transitioning to developing its own advanced military hardware. Today, as the owner of NATO’s second-largest standing army, Turkiye has firmly established itself as a global arms exporter. With defense exports surging from $1.9 billion in 2014 to a staggering $7.1 billion in 2024, the country has positioned itself as a formidable player in the international arms market.

So, what’s behind this remarkable growth? What are Turkiye’s capabilities? And why does this matter?

The Shift to Domestic Production

Turkiye’s journey toward military self-sufficiency began in 1985 with the establishment of the Defence Industry Development and Support Administration Office (SAGEB). Initially focused on international research collaborations, the country gradually shifted towards local production as it encountered increasing restrictions on weapons procurement and usage.

By the 2010s, Turkiye had pivoted to prioritizing domestic design and production, resulting in a significant boost in homegrown military technology. Today, thousands of Turkish defense manufacturers contribute to cutting-edge developments across land, air, and naval capabilities.

Strength in Numbers. Turkiye’s Military Arsenal

Turkiye’s military might is undeniable. As of 2023, the country’s defense budget stood at a hefty $89.69 billion, with a total of 355,200 active personnel, backed by a 378,700-strong reserve force.

Here is taking a closer look at its military might –

Army – 2,378 Main Battle Tanks, 6,403 Armored Personnel Carriers, 645 Infantry Fighting Vehicles, 91 Attack Helicopters, 2,762 Artillery Units, 1,404 Anti-Aircraft Guns

Navy – 12 Submarines, 16 Frigates, 50 Patrol and Combat Boats

Air Force – 294 Combat Aircraft, 58 Drones, 32 Surface-to-Air Missile Systems

The Rise of Turkish Drones

Turkiye’s drone program has been one of its most celebrated achievements. The Bayraktar TB2, first deployed in 2014, has become one of the most widely sought-after UAVs in the world.

Beyond the TB2, other Turkish drones have gained recognition, including –

Anka-S: A medium-altitude, long-endurance UAV with a 200kg payload

Vestel Karayel: A tactical UAV with a 70kg payload

Turkiye is also developing the Steel Dome (Celik Kubbe), an AI-augmented system designed to intercept airborne threats. Simultaneously, its first fifth-generation fighter jet, the KAAN, is in development to replace aging F-16s.

Expanding the Defence Portfolio

Turkiye is not only concentrating on drones; it has also made massive strides in land, sea, and air combat capabilities:

Land Systems

Altay Main Battle Tank: Comparable to the German Leopard and American Abrams tanks.

Kirpi (Hedgehog) Mine-Resistant Vehicle: Used extensively in counterinsurgency operations.

Kaplan and Pars Infantry Fighting Vehicles: Modern, adaptable, and battlefield-tested.

Naval Strength

Turkiye’s MILGEM (National Ship Project), launched in 2004, has produced next-generation warships, including:

Ada-class corvettes

Istanbul-class frigates

TCG Anadolu: An amphibious drone-carrying assault ship, and the largest in the Turkish navy (deployed in 2023).

Missiles and Smart Munitions

Bora: A short-range ballistic missile.

Atmaca (Hawk): A long-range cruise missile.

Why Turkiye Chose Military Self-Sufficiency

Turkiye’s drive for military independence has been shaped by geopolitical factors and past embargoes – 1970s US Arms Embargo – In response to Turkiye’s intervention in Cyprus. 1990s German Export Ban – Over concerns about the use of armored vehicles domestically. 2020 US Sanctions – Triggered by Turkiye’s purchase of the Russian S-400 air defense system.

Rather than being hindered, these challenges pushed Turkiye to strengthen its domestic arms industry. Today, the country boasts over 3,000 weapons companies, exporting to markets across the world.

A Booming Export Market

Turkiye’s exports now account for 1.7% of global arms exports, making it the 11th-largest arms exporter from 2020-2024, according to SIPRI.

Top Customers (2020-2024) include, United Arab Emirates, Pakistan and Qatar

Meanwhile, when it comes to countries Using the Bayraktar TB2, at least 31 countries, including Iraq, Ukraine, Kenya, Bangladesh, and Japan, have procured the Bayraktar TB2.

Future Ambitions

To further solidify its independence, Turkiye’s Baykar, the maker of Bayraktar drones, announced a $300 million investment in developing its own jet engines. The company aims to build an in-house engine for the Akinci drone, develop a turbofan engine for Kizilelma, an under-development unmanned air-to-air combat vehicle.

Currently, both systems use Ukrainian engines, but Turkiye aims to replace them with local alternatives to avoid supply chain vulnerabilities.

The Last Bit

Turkiye’s defense industry is no longer looking out for its own security needs, it is in fact quickly emerging as a global player in arms manufacturing. From combat drones to submarines, missiles to warships, its advancements have placed it among the top defense exporters worldwide. With ambitious projects like the KAAN fighter jet, AI-powered Steel Dome, and homegrown jet engines, Turkiye is set to strengthen its position in the defense industry even further.

An ever-expanding export market, geopolitical influence, and a solid manufacturing base, Turkiye is quickly emerging as a leader in the global arms race.