ASELSAN, ROKETSAN, Baykar and other Turkish defense firms showcased their capabilities at BAMEX 2026, held in Bamako, Mali. Organized by Mali's Ministry of Defense and The Peak Defense, the event hosted visitors at the Bamako Exhibition and Convention Center (FEBAK) for three days, followed by two days of field demonstrations by participating companies. Delegations from Turkey's Ministry of National Defence and Defence Industry Agency attended the fair.

BAMEX, first held last year with Turkish defense industry participation, expanded to an international scale this year. Representatives from China, Germany and other nations' defense sectors participated. Turkey fielded over 20 companies including Baykar, ASELSAN, ROKETSAN, Skydagger, KaleKalıp, Turaç and Prontaron Defense. High-level military and official delegations from more than 40 African nations attended, underscoring the event's regional significance.

The Sahel region's evolving defense and security requirements are increasingly prominent in international discourse. Nations in the region face substantial needs in counterterrorism, border security, reconnaissance-surveillance, communications and unmanned systems. BAMEX 2026 brought together defense technologies addressing these requirements with regional demand on a single platform. The fair featured unmanned aerial vehicles, counter-measure systems, electro-optical and reconnaissance-surveillance technologies, tactical communications, border security systems, armored ground vehicles, weapons and ammunition systems, and personal protective equipment.

Turkish defense industry has demonstrated growing interest in African markets in recent years. Bayraktar UAV platforms, ASELSAN's electronic systems and ROKETSAN's missile technology create potential cooperation areas for nations seeking regional security solutions. Turkey's defense products, characterized by high localization rates, offer attractive price-to-performance ratios for African nations. Intensified counterterrorism operations in the region have increased demand for unmanned systems and surveillance technologies.

Exhibitions like BAMEX serve as critical platforms for Turkish defense companies to access new markets and develop international partnerships. The Demo Day program, where participating firms demonstrated products in field conditions, enabled potential customers to evaluate technologies directly. Military and official delegations observed both static displays and live performance demonstrations. Such events strengthen Turkish defense sector export potential while encouraging product development to international standards.