Turkey's premier defense and aerospace fair SAHA 2026 is poised to set new records in defense export agreements. ASELSAN, ROKETSAN, Baykar, and MKE are among the major defense contractors participating in the event. The Defense Industries Presidency (SSB) announced that approximately $8 billion in contracts are expected to be signed during the fair, marking a $1.8 billion increase compared to the 2024 edition.

Turkey's defense sector has undergone a dramatic transformation over the past two decades, transitioning from import dependency to becoming a major exporter. The country now exports more than 230 defense systems to 185 countries. In 2025, defense exports reached a record $10 billion, representing a 48% year-over-year increase. Officials have set an ambitious target of $11 billion in annual exports by 2028, positioning Turkey among the world's top 10 defense exporters. Contracts signed in the first four months of 2026 have already approached $7 billion.

Turkey's strategic position in meeting Europe's growing defense requirements has become increasingly significant. Europe remains approximately 80% dependent on foreign defense products while accelerating efforts to strengthen its defense industrial base. Turkey's NATO-standard production infrastructure and cost-effective, high-technology solutions position it as a key supplier for European defense needs. Turkish companies now manufacture two out of every three military drones sold globally, and Turkey ranks among only 10 nations capable of designing, developing, and producing indigenous warships.

SAHA 2026 showcases Turkey's latest defense technology achievements. Baykar's Kızılelma unmanned fighter aircraft, the Alka-Kaplan laser weapon system developed through ROKETSAN and FNSS cooperation, Turkey's first intercontinental ballistic missile Yıldırımhan (6,000 km range, Mach 9-25 speed), and Baykar's Mızrak smart loitering munition (1,000+ km range with AI-enabled autonomous capabilities) represent the fair's most significant debuts. ASELSAN is presenting five new products alongside six upgraded versions of existing platforms, while STM displays air and naval systems for modern battlefield requirements.

Turkey has established an integrated defense ecosystem encompassing research and development, testing infrastructure, serial production capabilities, and skilled workforce. Defense Minister Yaşar Güler emphasized that Turkey has transformed from a nation heavily dependent on foreign suppliers until the 1980s into one capable of designing, producing, and exporting its own defense systems. Unmanned aerial vehicles represent Turkey's most significant defense breakthrough, demonstrating Turkish engineering capabilities through artificial intelligence integration, precision strike capacity, and high-altitude performance that have rewritten military doctrines worldwide. The SAHA fair, which began in 2018 with 180 companies from 12 countries, now hosts 263 international companies from over 120 countries.