President of the Presidency of Defense Industries (SSB), Haluk Görgün, announced that Turkey’s defense and aerospace industry has achieved a significant export milestone, reaching a total export volume of $8.5 billion as of 2025. Görgün made the statement during the opening ceremony of the 7th Defense Industry Meetings, organized jointly by the Istanbul Chamber of Industry (ISO) and SAHA Istanbul.

Held under the theme “Supply Chain and Sustainability,” the event brought together key stakeholders from the defense ecosystem. The opening ceremony was attended by Deputy Minister of National Defense Musa Heybet, SAHA Istanbul Vice President and ROKETSAN CEO Murat İkinci, ISO Chairman Erdal Bahçıvan, and Istanbul Governor Davut Gül. In his speech, Görgün emphasized the importance of building a strong, competitive, and indigenous defense industry capable of integrating into global supply chains and operating with high interoperability alongside allied systems.

Görgün highlighted the critical role of the Industrial Competency Assessment and Support Program (EYDEP), noting that at least 70 percent of subcontracted work in defense projects is allocated to EYDEP-certified companies. This approach aims to strengthen the domestic supply chain and ensure the financial sustainability of small and medium-sized enterprises. He also underlined the growing importance of the Defense Industry Capability Inventory (YETEN), which has evolved into an artificial intelligence–supported strategic decision-making platform that enables data-driven investment and cooperation decisions.

On the financial side, Görgün stated that multiple support mechanisms have been implemented in coordination with the Ministry of Treasury and Finance and the Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey. Among these initiatives is a new Credit Guarantee Program with a total guarantee volume of 40 billion Turkish lira, enabling easier access to financing for defense industry suppliers. Additional regulations now allow EYDEP A and B level companies to access foreign currency loans, sign foreign currency–based contracts, and benefit from more flexible investment financing options.

Addressing technological advancements, Görgün pointed out that Turkey is strengthening its position in artificial intelligence not only as a user but also as a developer and rule-setter. He noted that new projects have been launched in areas such as AI-based command and control systems, swarm intelligence, threat analytics, and decision-support infrastructures. Concluding his remarks, Görgün stated that these strategic policies and investments have directly contributed to export growth, with the defense and aerospace industry reaching an unprecedented $8.5 billion in exports, underscoring Turkey’s rising global standing in the sector.