Turkey’s Biggest Defense Projects of Recent Years: A Data-Driven Look

Turkey’s defense-industry project portfolio has expanded from roughly $5.5 billion in 2002 to more than $100 billion today, spanning over 1,400 active projects according to SSB’s 2025 figures. This piece reviews the largest programs of the past decade — the KAAN fighter, the amphibious ship TCG Anadolu, the ALTAY tank, the MILGEM naval program and the SIPER air-defense system — using confirmed milestones and flagging projected timelines as such.

AT A GLANCE

Total active projects

Over 1,400 (SSB, 2025)

Total project portfolio

Over $100 billion

2024 defense-aerospace exports

$7.1 billion

2025 exports

$10.1 billion (11th globally)

Defense spending / GDP

2.33% (2025)

Flagship mega-projects

KAAN, TCG Anadolu, ALTAY, MILGEM, SIPER

Flagship programs

Status of major programs

Program	Milestone	Status/plan
KAAN fighter	First flight 21 Feb 2024	Block-1 deliveries planned 2030-2033
TCG Anadolu	In service since 10 Apr 2023	Cost ~$1 billion (final spec)
ALTAY tank	Serial production 5 Sep 2025	In service since 28 Oct 2025
MILGEM/Istif frigates	TCG Istanbul in service Jan 2024	15-ship program across 3 classes
SIPER air defense	Block 1 in service	Block 2 (~150km) in progress

KAAN’s prototypes and initial production aircraft fly with General Electric F110 engines; a domestic turbofan is under development at TR Motor/TEI for later blocks. TCG Anadolu’s budget was initially estimated at roughly EUR 375 million and later cited near $1 billion in final specification — figures vary by source and should be read as estimates.

SSB reports total active projects surpassing 1,400 with a combined portfolio above $100 billion, versus about $5.5 billion in 2002. 2024 defense-aerospace exports reached $7.1 billion and 2025 exports were reported near $10.1 billion, placing Turkey 11th globally; defense spending stood at about 2.33% of GDP in 2025.

FAQ

How many active defense projects does Turkey currently run?

According to SSB’s 2025 data, over 1,400 active projects are underway with a combined portfolio exceeding $100 billion, up from about $5.5 billion in 2002.

When did KAAN fly and when will it enter service?

KAAN made its first flight on 21 February 2024. Block-1 aircraft are projected for delivery to the Turkish Air Force between 2030 and 2033 — a target subject to revision as the program advances.

Is KAAN’s engine domestic?

Prototypes and initial production aircraft fly with General Electric F110 engines. A domestic turbofan is under development under TR Motor/TEI for use in later blocks.

When did TCG Anadolu enter service and what did it cost?

TCG Anadolu entered service on 10 April 2023. Reported costs vary by source, from an initial estimate near EUR 375 million to roughly $1 billion in final specification; these figures are estimates.

Over the past decade, Turkey’s defense industry has built a portfolio of mega-projects advancing simultaneously across air, sea, land and air defense. KAAN and HURJET’s first flights, TCG Anadolu and TCG Istanbul entering service, ALTAY reaching serial production, and SIPER entering the inventory are the portfolio’s verifiable milestones. The $100 billion project value and exports above $10 billion are the quantitative signal of this growth, though the gap between prototype flight and serial delivery, and ongoing engine/powerpack localization, remain the key risk factors to watch.