Samsun Emerges as a Key Hub for Defense Industry Production

Ender Öztürk

October 27, 2026

Turkey is strategically expanding its defense industry footprint, moving beyond traditional manufacturing zones to integrate Anatolian cities into its high-tech production network. Specifically, Samsun has become a focal point for the country’s national security interests, as major industry players including BAYKAR, ROKETSAN, and the Mechanical and Chemical Industry Corporation (MKE) have initiated significant investment projects in the region. These developments, which gained momentum throughout 2025 and 2026, aim to bolster the domestic production infrastructure, enhance high-technology manufacturing capabilities, and foster stronger ties between primary contractors and local suppliers across the Black Sea region.

{{WP_IMAGE_1}}

BAYKAR Establishes a Strategic Production Base in Tekkeköy

BAYKAR, a leader in the development of unmanned aerial vehicles and combat systems, has designated a 400-dönüm area in Samsun’s Tekkeköy district as a special industrial zone. This expansion represents a critical shift in the company’s geographic strategy, moving toward establishing a comprehensive production hub that can support its growing portfolio of high-technology defense solutions. While specific details regarding the facility’s output and operational timeline remain subject to official company announcements, the project is expected to enhance regional engineering capabilities and create a robust manufacturing ecosystem for aviation technologies.

{{WP_IMAGE_2}}

MKE Continues to Expand Its Domestic Manufacturing Footprint

The Mechanical and Chemical Industry Corporation (MKE) has commenced substantial infrastructure work on the site of a former sugar factory in the Çarşamba district. This initiative is part of a broader 2 billion lira investment project aimed at modernizing production facilities and increasing the domestic output of essential defense materials. As part of a larger 1.5 billion dollar investment program covering the 2023-2027 period, MKE has identified Samsun as a key location for these factory developments. These efforts align with the Ministry of National Defense’s objective to reduce reliance on external procurement by significantly boosting local production capacity.

{{WP_IMAGE_3}}

ROKETSAN Joins the Growing Defense Industrial Ecosystem

ROKETSAN has officially confirmed its decision to invest in the Samsun region, further solidifying the city’s status as an emerging center for the defense sector. Although precise details regarding the budget, specific location, and production focus are yet to be disclosed, the company’s arrival signals a major advancement for the local industrial landscape. By operating alongside industry giants like BAYKAR and MKE, ROKETSAN is expected to contribute to a collaborative environment where technical expertise and specialized manufacturing processes can thrive under a unified supply chain framework.

Regional Investments Enhance the National Supply Chain

The influx of these defense giants into Samsun suggests a long-term strategy to diversify Turkey’s industrial output. Beyond the construction of large-scale assembly plants, these projects are likely to stimulate demand for regional companies specializing in metalwork, electronics, and precision engineering. As these main contractors grow their production capacities, the need for qualified local subcontractors increases, potentially transforming Samsun into a vital link in Turkey’s national defense logistics chain. The ultimate success of this transformation will depend on the effective synchronization of production schedules and the full operational integration of these new facilities into the existing national defense network.

We invite you to share your thoughts on the impact these significant defense investments will have on the economic and industrial future of Samsun; please leave your comments below to join the discussion.