Baykar, ROKETSAN and ASELSAN Sign Defense Export Agreements with Saudi Arabia
Turkey’s three leading defense companies — Baykar, ROKETSAN, and ASELSAN — have secured export agreements with Saudi Arabia in a deal that moves Turkey closer to its $10 billion defense export target for 2026. According to TURDEF’s June 2026 report, the combined agreement represents one of the most strategically significant multi-company defense transactions Turkey has concluded with a Gulf state.
Saudi Arabia: A Priority Market
Saudi Arabia spends more than $10 billion annually on defense procurement, making it one of the world’s largest and most contested defense markets. The Kingdom’s Vision 2030 reform agenda has pushed it toward supplier diversification, opening the door to Turkish, South Korean, and other non-traditional defense partners alongside its traditional Western suppliers.
What Each Company Brings
Baykar’s export portfolio for this deal is expected to center on the TB2 and Akinci unmanned aerial vehicles — both combat-proven systems that have demonstrated their effectiveness in Libya, Syria, and Ukraine. The TB2 in particular has become the world’s most discussed tactical UAV over the past five years, with over 30 countries either operating or having expressed interest in the platform.
ROKETSAN brings guided munitions to the table: the SOM cruise missile, CIRIT precision rocket, and BORA tactical ballistic missile are among the export-ready systems in its portfolio. Saudi Arabia’s ongoing operations against Houthi threats on its northern border maintain persistent demand for precision munitions, making ROKETSAN’s offerings highly relevant.
ASELSAN, Turkey’s largest defense electronics company, contributes surveillance systems, electronic warfare solutions, and communications equipment. The firm has previously concluded deals with Qatar and the UAE, and a Saudi agreement would significantly expand its Gulf footprint.
The $10 Billion Race
Turkey closed 2025 with approximately $8.5 billion in defense exports. The 2026 target of $10 billion reflects not just numerical growth but a qualitative ambition — to position Turkey as a permanent, tier-one player in global defense trade. The Baykar-ROKETSAN-ASELSAN tri-company deal signals Turkey’s ability to offer integrated systems packages rather than individual platforms, a capability that major importers increasingly demand.
| Company | Likely Systems | Category |
|---|---|---|
| Baykar | TB2, TB3, Akinci | UAV / UCAV |
| ROKETSAN | SOM, CIRIT, BORA | Guided munitions |
| ASELSAN | EW systems, surveillance, comms | Defense electronics |
Sources
- TURDEF — “Baykar, Roketsan and Aselsan to Export to Saudi Arabia,” June 2026.
- Baykar official website — TB2, TB3, and Akinci technical profiles and user nations.
- ROKETSAN product catalog — SOM and CIRIT technical specifications.
Editor’s Note: Specific contract values and product scope have not been officially confirmed. This report is based on industry source reporting and cross-verification of open-source data on the companies’ export portfolios.
