Turkey’s defense and aerospace industry achieved a historic export record in March 2025, underscoring its growing strength and global competitiveness. Haluk Görgün, President of the Presidency of Defense Industries (SSB), announced that exports soared 147% year-over-year, jumping from $358 million to $884 million. This figure marks the highest March export value in the industry’s history and highlights the increasing global demand for Turkish-made defense systems.

Görgün emphasized that Turkey is now a key player in the global defense market, stating, “With our broad, skilled, and dynamic ecosystem, and with systems that have proven themselves in the field, Turkey continues to demonstrate its growing export potential and solidify its place among the world’s leading defense nations.”

In the first quarter of 2025, Turkey’s defense and aerospace exports reached $1.7 billion, representing a 72% increase compared to the same period last year. Görgün noted that the sector’s export growth is driven primarily by high value-added indigenous products, such as UAVs, missile systems, radar and electronic warfare technologies, naval platforms, and air defense systems. These systems, developed under national projects, are now being exported to nearly every region of the world, not limited to specific markets.

The SSB president also highlighted the importance of including SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises) alongside major defense companies like ASELSAN, TUSAŞ, ROKETSAN, and HAVELSAN in Turkey’s export ecosystem. Görgün stated that the agency’s export strategy focuses on sustainable growth by increasing the number of exporting firms and expanding the reach of Turkish defense products internationally. “I wholeheartedly congratulate all our defense industry companies and employees who have contributed to this success,” Görgün added, underlining that this achievement strengthens both Turkey’s economy and its goal of defense self-sufficiency.

Analysts note that the record-breaking export performance reflects Turkey’s technological depth, international credibility, and competitiveness. Turkish defense systems are now recognized worldwide not only for their cost-effectiveness but also for their performance, reliability, and indigenous technology content — making Turkey one of the fastest-growing defense exporters globally.