The IDA Turkey 2026 event, organized by OSTİM Defense and Aviation Cluster (OSSA), opened its doors at Congresium Ankara. Held with support from the Ministry of National Defence and the Presidency Defense Industry Agency, this gathering brought together all stakeholders in the defense and aviation sector. The event functions as a business development center designed to enable firms to collaborate, access new markets, and strengthen supply chain relationships.

OSSA Board Chairman İbrahim Yarsan noted that while the event was founded in 2013 with the goal of bringing the sector together, it now serves a much broader mission. Yarsan emphasized that 359 firms operate under the OSSA umbrella, with the majority being small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The key distinction of IDA Turkey is that rather than being a conventional trade fair, it focuses on establishing long-term cooperation relationships between prime contractors and supplier SMEs. The event hosted 2,000 bilateral meetings from 22 countries in 2013, while today it witnesses participation from 90 countries and over 8,000 business meetings.

Recent developments in Turkey's defense and aviation industry demonstrate the sector's strategic importance and localization success. Ankara Chamber of Commerce President Gürsel Baran stated that the localization rate rose from 20 percent in 2002 to over 80 percent today. During the same period, defense and aviation exports increased from 248 million dollars to nearly 11 billion dollars. Approximately 4,000 firms operate in the sector, with over 1,400 projects underway and direct employment exceeding 100,000 people. Research and development expenditures have surpassed 3.5 billion dollars annually.

The transfer of technologies developed in the defense industry to civilian sectors plays an important role in Turkey's economic development. OSTİM Organized Industrial Zone Board Chairman Orhan Aydın stated that they are applying the SSB's localization methodology to rail systems, health technologies, and other strategic areas. Experience gained in defense manufacturing in fields such as artificial intelligence, sensors, advanced materials, precision manufacturing, autonomous systems, and cybersecurity is providing efficiency gains to the automotive, energy, health, and transportation sectors. This technology spillover is increasing the overall competitiveness of Turkish industry.

IDA Turkey's international expansion plans aim to strengthen Turkey's defense industry ecosystem's global position. Yarsan announced plans to organize IDA Spain in Valencia in 2027, providing Turkish firms access to Europe's strong aviation and defense industry. This step will establish IDA as an international brand originating from Turkey while facilitating SMEs' access to different markets worldwide. The event will continue through October 16.