Turkey’s Defense Exports Surpass 11 Billion Dollars for the First Time
Turkey’s defense and aerospace exports climbed above 11 billion dollars over the past 12 months, marking the first time the sector has crossed that threshold on a rolling annual basis. The figures were shared by Prof. Dr. Haluk Gorgun, head of the Presidency of Defense Industries (SSB), and point to record levels both in the monthly tally and in the cumulative total. Taken together, the data suggest that the rapid growth Turkish defense firms have posted over the last two years is holding rather than tapering off.
Exports break the 11 billion dollar mark
According to the figures released, defense and aerospace exports exceeded 11 billion dollars in the trailing 12-month period, the highest level on record. June alone accounted for 802.8 million dollars, a 29.6 percent rise compared with the same month a year earlier.
Half-year data indicate the momentum is not confined to a single strong month. Exports reached 4.67 billion dollars over January through June, up 29.5 percent year on year. Gorgun said the sector was building lasting partnerships on a global scale, citing systems that had “proven themselves in the field” and an ecosystem that continues to deepen.
Continuation of a two-year trend
The 11 billion dollar threshold is not an isolated spike but the extension of a climb that has run for two years. The sector closed 2025 with full-year exports above 10 billion dollars, an increase of roughly 48 percent on the previous year. In the window from 1 June 2025 to 31 May 2026, exports rose from 7.4 billion dollars in the prior annual period to 10.9 billion dollars.
The pattern shows that Turkish defense companies are relying on a broad flow of orders rather than a single large contract. Contributions come from a wide product range, spanning unmanned aerial vehicles, guided munitions, armored vehicles and naval platforms, which points to a diversification of revenue streams.
More than 230 systems, 185 countries
SSB data indicate that Turkey exports more than 230 distinct defense systems to 185 countries. A market spread of that breadth means exports are no longer tied to a specific region or a single customer, having instead taken on a multidirectional structure that reaches Europe, the Middle East, Africa and the Asia-Pacific.
Such dispersion matters for both revenue stability and geopolitical resilience. A shift in demand or a political flare-up in one region does not put total exports directly at risk. At the same time, the use of these systems across so many countries generates a sustainable revenue chain through after-sales support, spare parts and training.
The NATO and alliance dimension
The rise in exports coincides with a period in which Turkey’s role within NATO’s defense industry has widened. At the NATO Defence Industry Forum held in Ankara in early July, alliance members signed cooperation agreements covering strike capabilities, integrated air and missile defense, and space and surveillance capacities. ASELSAN, ROKETSAN, STM and TUBITAK took part in those projects as contractors.
Deeper integration of the Turkish defense industry into NATO’s supply chain suggests that export figures could rest on a more predictable footing in the coming period. Joint production and procurement programs with allied countries imply long-term, recurring revenue rather than one-off sales.
What it means for Turkey
Exports of 11 billion dollars are more than an economic indicator for Turkey; they also serve as a strategic lever that provides room for maneuver in foreign policy and supply security. An industry that produces its own systems and sells them to a wide range of countries reduces external dependence while allowing export income to help finance new programs.
Gorgun’s assessment that the figure will rise further in the near term signals that the sector retains its growth expectations. Whether that momentum proves sustainable will depend on keeping delivery schedules on track, strengthening after-sales support infrastructure and deepening localization in critical subsystems.
Sources
- Global Defense Corp – “Turkiye’s defense exports surpassed $11 billion annually” – 16 July 2026. Used for the trailing 12-month export total, the June figure and annual growth rates. Link: https://www.globaldefensecorp.com/2026/07/16/turkiyes-defense-exports-surpassed-11-billion-annually/
- Anadolu Agency (AA) – Defense industry exports and SSB statements – July 2026. Used for the annual export trajectory and official assessments. Link: https://www.aa.com.tr/
- Presidency of Defense Industries (SSB) – Official data and statements by President Gorgun – July 2026. Used for the number of systems and countries and for sector targets. Link: https://www.ssb.gov.tr/
