How Turkey’s Defense Exports Changed in Recent Years: A Data-Driven Analysis

Turkish defense and aerospace exports have changed sharply in volume and market diversity over the past decade. Drawing on SASAD performance reports, Presidency of Defence Industries (SSB) statements, Turkish Exporters Assembly (TIM) data and the SIPRI Arms Transfers Database, this piece traces exports year by year, product mix, main markets, growth drivers and Turkey’s position in international rankings.

Exports rose from roughly $1.4 billion in 2013 to $7.15 billion in 2024, and reportedly surpassed $10 billion for the first time in 2025. SIPRI’s measured global arms-export share rose from 0.8% to 1.7% over the same window, placing Turkey 11th among the world’s largest exporters.

AT A GLANCE

2013 exports

~$1.4 billion (SASAD)

2024 exports

$7.15 billion (SSB)

2025 exports

~$10.56 billion (TIM, unaudited)

12-year growth

roughly 7-7.5x

SIPRI ranking

11th (2020-2024)

Global share

0.8% to 1.7%

Trajectory and markets

Exports by year (selected)

Year	Exports ($bn)	Source/note
2013	1.39	SASAD (goods+services)
2019	2.74	SASAD, +34%
2022	4.40	SASAD, +37%
2024	7.15	SSB (incl. NATO/services), +29%
2025	10.56	TIM, +48% (unaudited final)

SASAD includes hard-currency services, TIM measures customs-cleared goods, SSB reports a broader NATO+services total, SIPRI uses a price-independent volume metric – so year-to-year comparisons across sources should be read as approximate.

Top buyers (SIPRI 2020-2024)

Buyer	Share	Notable items
United Arab Emirates	18%	UAVs, armored vehicles
Pakistan	10%	Naval platforms, UAVs
Qatar	9.9%	Armored vehicles, UAVs, naval

SSB states that around 56% of 2025 defense-aerospace exports went to the EU, NATO members and the US – a shift from a Gulf/Central Asia-heavy base toward Western markets, reinforced by Poland’s TB2 purchases and orders from Romania, Czechia, Slovakia and Bulgaria. In 2024 Baykar led company exports at $1.8 billion, followed by TUSAS, ASFAT, MKE and Arca Savunma.

FAQ

How much did Turkey export in defense in 2024?

According to SSB, approximately $7.15 billion including NATO and service exports; TIM’s goods-only figure was around $6.7 billion.

Is the 2025 export figure final?

No. Reports put 2025 exports at roughly $10.56 billion, the first time the $10 billion threshold was crossed, but this remains subject to year-end revision.

Where does Turkey rank globally?

SIPRI’s 2020-2024 data places Turkey 11th among the world’s largest arms exporters, with global share rising from 0.8% to 1.7%.

What are the top export products?

Open sources point to UAVs, munitions and rocket/missile systems, armored vehicles, aerospace parts, naval platforms and electronic/communication systems.

Which company exports the most?

In 2024, Baykar led with $1.8 billion, followed by TUSAS, ASFAT, MKE and Arca Savunma; Baykar alone accounted for roughly a quarter of sector exports.

Official and international data agree on the broad picture: Turkish defense and aerospace exports grew roughly 7-7.5 times between 2013 and 2024-2025, rising from about $1.4 billion to over $10 billion. SIPRI’s doubling of Turkey’s global market share to 1.7% and its 11th-place ranking confirm the growth is volumetric, not only a dollar-value effect. Whether this pace continues depends on deepening localization, broadening the product base, and how new contracts convert into actual deliveries.