Turkish Aerospace Industries announced that the new prototype of the national fighter aircraft KAAN has commenced taxi testing. Images showing the prototype, which has not yet received its final paint scheme, progressing on the runway were shared with the public.

South Korea's Ambassador to Ankara, Boo Sukjong, emphasized the significant potential for deepening defense cooperation between the two nations, positioning KAAN fighter jets, unmanned aerial vehicles, and maritime platforms as strategic pillars of bilateral defense collaboration.

During the Denizkurdu-II 2026 Exercise, the AKYA torpedo developed by ROKETSAN using national resources was successfully fired from the TCG Sakarya submarine, achieving a direct hit on the target vessel M/G Sokullu Mehmet Paşa and destroying it.

Turkey's defense sector will showcase capabilities at NATO summit's Defense Industry Forum with 3,500 participating companies. The sector recorded 48% export growth in 2025, advancing its transition from supplier to strategic partner status.

The NATO Defence Industry Forum in Ankara highlighted the alliance's urgent need for production capacity and industrial partnerships. Turkish defense companies demonstrated their readiness to meet allied requirements with robust supply chains and manufacturing capabilities.

The removal of CAATSA sanctions could strengthen Türkiye’s position in the F-35 process, avionics systems and modernization projects.

At the 36th NATO Leaders Summit, a panel in Ankara addressed Turkey's defense sector's contributions to NATO's production, deterrence, and interoperability goals. ROKETSAN and ASELSAN executives emphasized the sector's robust supply chain and dynamic ecosystem capabilities.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte described Turkey's defense industry structure as an exemplary model for allies at the Ankara Summit. Rutte noted that several NATO members are examining whether they can adapt this model to their own countries.