Turkey's Defense Exports Surge

Turkey has emerged as a major exporter of drones and military equipment, driven by two decades of state investment. Its defense exports have more than tripled since 2021, reaching $10 billion last year, with a significant portion going to Europe and the United States. Turkey aims to double these exports in the next two years, leveraging its flexible supply chains and willingness to customize systems. The upcoming NATO summit in Ankara is expected to further expand arms sales and joint production in Western markets, despite existing structural barriers within the European Union. Turkish firms like Baykar, Israel Aerospace Industries, Arca Defense, and Kale are key players in this growth. The war in Ukraine has highlighted the importance of industrial depth in modern warfare, where Turkey has gained credibility. Turkey's ambitions also include producing frigates, an aircraft carrier, and air defense systems, and it recently unveiled a prototype intercontinental ballistic missile. Defense Minister Yaşar Güler has urged European allies to include non-EU NATO members like Turkey in security arrangements. Global military spending has risen significantly, creating a favorable environment for Turkey's defense industry.