In recent years, Turkiye has made significant progress in indigenizing its defense industry and has emerged as a major arms exporter. The country’s advances in producing high-quality, cost-effective defense equipment have strengthened its strategic influence in regions such as sub-Saharan Africa and the Gulf. Turkish drones, especially the Bayraktar TB2, played a crucial role in Azerbaijan’s landslide victory over Armenia in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, demonstrating the effectiveness and sophistication of Turkey’s defense technology. After a record year for defense exports in 2023, Turkiye is poised to continue its upward trajectory, although not without competition and challenges to market share.
The growth of Turkiye’s defense industry is an important element of the national security strategy. By reducing dependence on foreign suppliers and increasing domestic production, Turkiye aims to strengthen its strategic autonomy and extend its power beyond its borders. This fast-growing sector has become a cornerstone of Turkey’s foreign policy, allowing it to forge new alliances and strengthen its geopolitical influence.
historical background
During the Ottoman Empire, military production was limited and heavily dependent on foreign suppliers. This dependency continued until Atatürk and the early years of the Turkish Republic. A turning point in Türkiye’s defense industrialization came in 1974, when the United States imposed an arms embargo in response to Türkiye’s military intervention in Cyprus. This embargo exposed the vulnerabilities inherent in Turkiye’s dependence on foreign military suppliers, which ultimately led Turkiye to seek self-sufficiency in defense production. In the late 1970s and 1980s, Turkiye focused on building its own capabilities, especially in critical areas such as aviation and armored vehicles. The creation of the Undersecretary of Defense Industry (now known as the Defense Industry Agency) in 1985 was an important step toward organizing and directing defense acquisition and production.
The 21st century marked a period of significant growth and transformation for Turkiye’s defense industry, driven largely by the policies of the Justice and Development Party (AKP) under Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. The government’s continued focus on reducing dependence on foreign suppliers led to a surge in investment and domestic production capacity.
Another important milestone is the recent development of Turkiye’s Khan fighter aircraft, which completed its first successful test flight earlier this year. Khan represents Turkiye’s ambition to join an elite group of nations capable of producing fifth-generation fighter jets. Although the Khan’s features pale in comparison to the likes of the F-35 (USA), J-20 (China), and Su-57 (Russia), the aircraft still fills an important niche in political acceptance and financial considerations. There is. of non-aligned countries.
Economic and technological aspects of the defense industry in Turkiye
Turkiye’s defense industry has made significant progress in various product categories, including drones, armored vehicles and naval platforms. Among them, drones, especially the Bayraktar TB2, have attracted the most international attention. This medium-altitude, long-lasting unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) has proven to be a game-changer in modern warfare, with Azerbaijan’s victories shaped by drone warfare in Syria, Libya, and Nagorno-Karabakh. It was used effectively in conflicts. TB2’s success lies in its combination of advanced technology and cost-effectiveness. The drone is offered at a competitive price point compared to NATO drones and without compromising on quality, making it an attractive option for countries with limited defense budgets. . In addition to UAVs, Turkiye also made progress in the development of armored vehicles, such as the Altai main battle tank and the Otkal ARMA wheeled armored vehicle.
While countries such as the United States, Britain and France often link arms sales to political conditions, Mr. Tourquier has chosen a realpolitik approach. This strategy includes fewer restrictions and more favorable conditions for technology transfer and co-production. For example, Turkiye has several co-production agreements with countries such as Qatar and Azerbaijan, allowing for local manufacturing and assembly of Turkish defense technology. This approach will not only strengthen the technological capabilities of partner countries, but also strengthen bilateral relations and open new markets for Turkish defense companies to participate in joint ventures and secure additional contracts. .
Turkiye’s defense exports and foreign policy
A focus on domestic production of defense production is a cornerstone of Turkiye’s defense policy, allowing it to operate independently of traditional Western allies if necessary. Turkiye’s defense exports have gained market share in most Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and the Horn of Africa.
In the GCC, Mr. Turkiye has built strong defense relationships with countries such as Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). These relationships have been strengthened through important defense contracts, such as Saudi Arabia’s $3 billion purchase of unmanned combat aircraft (UCAVs) last year, making it Turkiye’s largest defense export deal in history. This agreement is another example of Turkiye’s readiness to accept terms regarding technology transfer and co-production.
The Horn of Africa has also emerged as an important region for Türkiye’s defense exports. Turkiye’s involvement in Somalia, where the Turkish government has its largest overseas military base, embodies a strategy to use defense exports to strengthen security cooperation with the Somali military. This presence allows Turkiye to influence regional security dynamics and project its power beyond the Red Sea and into the Indian Ocean. For Turkiye, the strategic importance of these regions lies in their geopolitics, especially their access to sea routes and the potential opportunities for Turkish companies in African markets.
Turkiye’s approach to defense diplomacy reflects the pursuit of a more independent foreign policy. By diversifying its defense partnerships and reducing its dependence on traditional Western allies, Turkiye can navigate complex international relations with greater autonomy. This independence is critical, especially given past tensions with NATO allies over issues such as Turkiye’s controversial purchase of Russia’s S-400 missile system and its exclusion from the F-35 program. These developments highlight Turkiye’s strategic shift towards a more self-reliant defense posture that leverages the defense industry to achieve broader national and foreign policy objectives outside of the framework provided by NATO. .
Prospects and challenges
Turkiye’s comparative advantages, such as cost-effective production and high-quality performance, are the main drivers of record growth in the defense industry. The country’s focus on indigenizing its defense industry has reduced costs and enabled competitive pricing in the global arms market.
Additionally, Turkiye’s independent foreign policy stance often differs from that of traditional Western and NATO allies, and calls for engagement with a wider range of countries, including those under international sanctions and in politically sensitive regions. making it possible. This flexibility positions Turkiye as a preferred partner for countries seeking advanced military technology without the conditions often imposed by Western suppliers.
As Turkiye continues to innovate and expand its products, it is likely to capture an even larger share of the global arms market, particularly in niche markets such as wealthy GCC countries and lower to upper middle income countries in Asia and Africa.
However, despite this positive trajectory, Turkiye’s defense industry still faces challenges. International sanctions, especially those from Western countries, can be a major obstacle. For example, Turkiye’s defense industry still relies on some foreign components for certain high-tech systems, which could make it vulnerable in times of geopolitical tensions or supply chain disruptions. Further challenges are posed by competition from other emerging arms exporters such as Iran. Both Turkiye and Iran have become increasingly active in proxy conflicts, often supporting opposing sides.
