Turkey has doubled its support for the space, aviation, and defence industries, allocating a budget of 8.7 billion lira for 2026. Within this scope, R&D activities for new satellite technologies and strategic domestic production projects will gain momentum. Under the National Space Programme, the country is advancing its goals of improving both access to space and human resource development in civil aviation simultaneously.
The 5 billion 52 million lira allocated to space and aviation in 2025 has been increased to 8 billion 729 million lira for 2026. In addition, a budget of 5 billion 911 million lira has been allocated to the Turkish Space Agency (TUA) for the completion of the Space and Aviation Application Centre. This step reinforces Turkey’s determination to strengthen its space ecosystem and develop its own technological infrastructure.
A New Era in Domestic Production and Satellite Technologies
With the new budget, R&D projects supporting the domestic production of critical materials and components used in the space and defence industries will be launched. Turkey is focusing on developing a regional positioning and timing system, establishing a spaceport, gaining access-to-space capabilities, and enhancing its competence in the field of space weather (meteorology). These investments will support Turkey’s vision of creating a competitive commercial brand in the global space arena.
Strengthening Aviation through the National Space Programme
In addition to space activities, Turkey also aims to expand in civil aviation under the National Space Programme. The number of licensed pilots is planned to exceed 18,000 by 2028. This increase will both expand the human resource capacity of the national aviation sector and strengthen Turkey’s position in international aviation competition.
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