Turkey targets more defence sales as West rearms, alliances shift

Highlights:
- Turkey's defence exports have tripled since 2021 to $10 billion
- Faces EU barriers, but has secured several bilateral deals
- Officials to showcase sector at July NATO summit in Ankara
Two decades of state investment have transformed Turkey
into a major exporter of drones and other military equipment, and the NATO
member is now looking to build on that momentum as the West rearms and security
alliances are reshaped.
Turkey, once heavily reliant on
foreign arms makers, now supplies nearly 40 countries mainly in the Gulf,
Africa, Asia and parts of Europe with weapons that many buyers see as cheaper,
faster to deliver and more adaptable than alternatives.
As European governments reassess security dependencies
following Russia's invasion of Ukraine and question the durability of US
guarantees, many NATO allies increasingly see Turkey not only as a military
bulwark on the alliance's south-eastern flank but also as a potential
industrial partner.
Ankara hopes hosting US President
Donald Trump and other NATO leaders at a summit next month will help expand
arms sales and joint production in Western markets, particularly the European
Union. There, Turkish firms face structural barriers including members-only
defence initiatives and political resistance tied to broader diplomatic
disputes.
A Reuters review of trade figures
shows Turkish defence exports - including the high-profile armed drones used by
Ukrainian forces - have more than tripled since 2021 to $10 billion last year,
accounting for about 3.7% of total exports from the major emerging market
economy.
Exports to Europe and the US almost
quadrupled over the same period to $5.6 billion.
That growth reflects a maturing
domestic defence industry that includes drone-maker Baykar, Turkish Aerospace
Industries, and smaller firms such as Arca Defense and Kale.
Analysts say sustained state
backing, flexible supply chains and a willingness to customise systems for
buyers have allowed such firms to move quickly into markets where Western
suppliers face capacity constraints or lengthy procurement cycles.
War threats and opportunities
Turkey aims to double defence
exports in two years, its defence agency says, potentially generating vital
revenues as it looks to pay down debt and fund further development.
Sitting between two major conflicts
- Ukraine to the north and Iran to the south-east - Turkey's own security is
also at stake, given its gaps in air defences and jet and tank engines that
could be addressed through trade and technology deals.
Can Kasapoglu, senior fellow at the
Hudson Institute, said Turkey's defence industry had made a "major
leap" by exporting advanced systems, especially aerial drones.
The war in Ukraine, he said,
underscored that modern warfare depended not only on cutting-edge platforms but
also on industrial depth and sustainability - areas where Turkey has gained
credibility.
Nato summit showcase
Turkey supplies about 65% of armed
drones used worldwide and is a major exporter of ammunition. It also produces,
or plans to produce, frigates, an aircraft carrier, air defence systems and
armoured vehicles. Indonesia said last year it would buy 48 Turkish fighter
jets currently under development.
Turkey's ambitions also carry
political and reputational risks. Last month, it unveiled a prototype domestic
intercontinental ballistic missile at a defence show in Istanbul, prompting
criticism from some experts over feasibility and messaging after a promotional
video depicted a hypothetical launch that appeared to target North America.
Turkish officials say the defence
sector will be a focal point at the NATO meeting in Ankara on 7–8 July.
Alliance chief Mark Rutte has said a planned defence industry forum there would
be NATO's most comprehensive yet.
















