Defense industry of Turkey

The defense industry of Turkey has a long history, dated from the Ottoman Empire, and has changed several times during the Republic period. The Turkish defense industry has achieved significant growth with state support in line with the independence decision taken in the defense industry in 1974. The Turkish defense industry has gained great field experience with the operations of the Turkish Armed Forces in Iraq, Syria and Libya. This situation has attracted the attention of many countries, especially in Europe, and has led to cooperation with Turkey in the fields of defense and industry. Today, Türkiye produces thousands of products in dozens of different areas, from infantry rifles to fifth-generation fighter jets.As of 2024, Türkiye will meet more than 70 percent of its defense industry needs with domestic production. By 2025, Turkey's defense industry needs will have exceeded 80 percent of domestic needs and R&D spending will reach $3 billion annually. In 2024, there were 3,500 defense industry companies working on more than 1,100 projects in the country. In 2024, the Turkish defense industry's exports abroad exceeded $7 billion for the first time in history.

Turkish defense industry companies have made great progress in the field of aviation after 2010. Between 2013 and 2024, 9 military aircraft were produced and flown. Leading Turkish aircraft engine company TEI designed 13 engines in a 10-year period between 2014 and 2024. Flights were carried out with 7 of these engines. 6 of them entered mass production. Defence Industry Agency president Görgün announced that the number of employees in the defense sector is expected to be between 108 thousand and 110 thousand in 2025.