Turkey’s defense and aviation industry showed a remarkable rise in export performance during the first six months of 2025. Between January and June, exports increased by 25% compared to the same period last year, reaching $3.603 billion. In June alone, exports rose by 10.4% year-on-year to $623 million.
Total exports over the last 12 months reached $7.454 billion, growing by 23.1%. This success highlights Turkey’s strengthening influence not only in regional but also global defense and aviation markets.
“THIS IS NOT JUST A NUMBER, IT IS A STRATEGIC RISE”
Prof. Dr. Haluk Görgün, President of the Defense Industry, emphasized that this achievement is more than a statistical figure, representing the tangible outcome of visionary development policies. He summarized Turkey’s transformation in the defense ecosystem with the following strategies:
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Increasing the number of exporting companies
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High-tech focused product diversification
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Deepening global partnerships
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Integrated industrial structure ranging from SMEs to large-scale enterprises
Görgün noted that the sector accounts for 3% of Turkey’s total exports and expressed gratitude to the engineers, companies, and employees behind this success.
STRATEGIC EXPORTS TO THE WEST: 55% TO NATO AND EU COUNTRIES
In an interview with Sabah Newspaper on July 3, Prof. Dr. Görgün stated that 55.4% of Turkey’s 2024 defense exports were made to European and NATO allies. He highlighted the important share of the USA within this figure, noting Turkey’s products stand out for their functionality and cost-effectiveness.
Additionally, Görgün pointed to Turkey’s superiority in unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), saying:
“Since 2018, Turkey has dominated 65% of the armed and unarmed UAV market.”
This rate consolidates Turkey’s global leadership in high-tech defense systems.
“TURKEY IS A RELIABLE PARTNER”
Prof. Dr. Görgün explained that collaborations in the defense industry go beyond product sales, emphasizing maintenance, repair, technical support, and long-term trust relationships as factors that distinguish Turkey:
“Our President is a trustworthy leader. We adopt an open, transparent, and sustainable relationship model. This is where Turkey’s difference lies.”
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