Turkish Defense Industry Secures $15 Billion in New Contracts for 2026
In a significant announcement made at the Subcontractor and Supply Management Workshop for the Defense and Aerospace Sector in Bursa, Prof. Dr. Haluk Görgün, President of Defense Industries, unveiled promising new data for the Turkish defense industry. Görgün reported that Turkish defense companies have already secured a substantial $15 billion in new contracts for the year 2026. This figure is projected to climb even higher, with expectations that the total value of new contracts will reach an impressive $20 billion by the end of the current year, signaling robust growth and a strong outlook for the sector.
- Turkish defense firms have signed $15 billion in new contracts for 2026, with an expectation to reach $20 billion by year-end.
- Over 16,000 domestic companies have collaborated with major defense contractors in the last three years, receiving orders exceeding $20 billion.
- Currently, open orders to domestic suppliers within the Turkish defense industry stand at more than $13.4 billion.
- The defense and aerospace sector’s export value per kilogram is 40 times higher than Turkey’s national average.
Prof. Dr. Görgün’s remarks during the workshop shed light on the sector’s expanding contract volume and its strategic importance to the national economy. While the $15 billion in new contracts represents a solidified achievement for the coming year, the $20 billion projection underscores the ambitious targets and positive momentum within the industry. This forward-looking outlook indicates strong confidence in the capabilities and global competitiveness of Turkish defense companies.
Over 16,000 Local Firms are Collaborating with Major Contractors
The growth within the defense industry is not limited to main contractors but extends significantly to the domestic production ecosystem. Görgün highlighted the extensive collaboration between Turkey’s leading defense and aerospace companies and local businesses. Over the past three years, major players such as ASELSAN, ROKETSAN, TUSAŞ, HAVELSAN, and STM have worked with more than 16,000 domestic firms. The total value of orders placed by these prime contractors with local companies has surpassed an impressive $20 billion.
These figures demonstrate that the defense industry’s business volume is widely distributed, encompassing a vast network of local suppliers. This robust supply chain covers a wide array of products and services, ranging from electronic systems and mechanical parts to subsystems, manufacturing, and engineering services, thereby forming a crucial component of the sector’s overall production capacity.
Current Open Orders to Domestic Suppliers Exceed $13.4 Billion
Another critical statistic shared by Görgün pertains to the current value of open orders from prime defense contractors to domestic firms. According to the data, the total value of existing open orders directed to local companies has risen above $13.4 billion. This substantial amount reflects the ongoing commercial activities and the continuous demand for locally sourced components and services within the defense supply chain.
It is important to note that these figures – new contracts, orders placed in the last three years, and current open orders – represent distinct indicators of the sector’s health and activity. Therefore, directly aggregating these amounts to calculate a single total business volume for the industry would be inaccurate. Instead, they collectively illustrate the significant scale of commercial relationships between prime contractors and subcontractors, emphasizing the pivotal role of the domestic production ecosystem in the industry.
Defense Industry Exports Show Exceptional Value per Kilogram
Prof. Dr. Görgün also drew attention to the defense and aerospace industry’s outstanding export performance, noting that its growth significantly outpaces Turkey’s overall export increase. Furthermore, he revealed that the sector’s export value per kilogram has reached 40 times the national average. This metric is a key indicator for assessing the economic weight of high-technology and engineering-intensive products in exports.
The exceptionally high value per kilogram underscores that defense and aerospace products are distinguished not only by their production volume but also by the significant economic value generated per unit. During the workshop in Bursa, discussions also focused on enhancing collaboration among prime contractors, subcontractors, and SMEs, boosting production capacity, improving access to finance, streamlining export processes, and ensuring the sustainability of the supply chain.
What are your thoughts on the impressive growth of the Turkish defense industry and its impact on the local economy? Share your insights and expectations in the comments below!
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