Görgün: Turkish defense and aerospace exports top $11 billion over 12 months

Turkey’s defense and aerospace exports have surpassed the $11 billion mark over a rolling 12-month period for the first time, the head of the Presidency of Defence Industries (SSB), Prof. Dr. Haluk Görgün, announced. Görgün shared the sector’s June export figures via his social media account on July 3.

June figures

According to the data, defense and aerospace exports reached $802.8 million in June 2026, a 29.6 percent increase over the same month a year earlier. In the first half of the year (January-June), exports climbed 29.5 percent year-on-year to $4.665 billion.

The most notable figure was the rolling 12-month total passing $11 billion for the first time, a threshold the SSB described as a historic milestone for the sector. The figures are based on the official institution’s own statement rather than an independently audited count.

‘Field-proven systems’

Görgün attributed the rise to the battlefield performance of Turkish defense systems and a widening supplier ecosystem. “With our systems proven successful in the field and our deepening ecosystem, we continue to build lasting partnerships on a global scale,” he said, thanking the companies, engineers, technicians and stakeholders who contributed to the result.

A steady climb

Turkish defense and aerospace exports have followed a consistent upward trajectory in recent years. Annual exports stood at roughly $7 billion in 2024 and closed 2025 at about $11 billion. With the June data, the 12-month total moved above that level for the first time. The 29.5 percent first-half gain suggests 2026 could set a fresh record if the current pace holds.

The announcement came ahead of the NATO Summit to be held in Ankara on July 7-8, where domestically developed Turkish platforms are due to be showcased to allied delegations.

Sources: TRT Haber, Anadolu Agency, DHA, Star