The ongoing Russia–Ukraine war, escalating tensions between Iran and Israel, and persistent conflicts across Africa have once again underscored the importance of preparedness in modern warfare. Over the past two years, artillery shells, mortar rounds and grenade launcher munitions have been consumed at unprecedented rates. This surge has transformed previously overlooked ammunition types into some of the most strategically valuable resources on the global stage.

ESSAV, a newly established Turkish defense company, enters this environment with a clear mission: to reinforce Türkiye’s ammunition production capacity and reduce dependency in critical calibers. While the company’s primary objective is to meet the operational needs of the Turkish Armed Forces, its long-term vision is to make Türkiye one of the world’s major suppliers of artillery and mortar ammunition.

Erkan Seçkin, Chairman of ESSAV Technology’s Board, explains the current picture with a noteworthy observation: “Ammunition that once sat untouched in warehouses is now worth its weight in gold.” He emphasizes that countries across the Arabian Peninsula, Europe and Africa are now seeking urgent access to artillery rounds. Due to overwhelming demand, many global manufacturers are providing delivery timelines two or even three years ahead. “There is plenty of money, but no ammunition. This is the reality of today's security environment,” Seçkin says.

ESSAV has already secured the necessary permits and expects to obtain final production authorization shortly. Once approved, the company plans to accelerate manufacturing for both domestic and international markets. Seçkin notes that they are receiving intense interest from regions such as the Arabian Peninsula, Africa and Europe, and that demand is expected to grow even further after production officially begins. He expresses confidence that ESSAV will soon deliver significant export achievements.

As geopolitical tensions rise and ammunition stockpiles shrink worldwide, Türkiye’s production capability becomes increasingly valuable. Companies like ESSAV are positioned to make Türkiye one of the central suppliers that nations rely on during global shortages of critical munitions.