Turkey continues to strengthen its position in the global defense market. During a press briefing at NATO Headquarters in Brussels, Defense Industry Agency (SSB) President Prof. Dr. Haluk Görgün announced that Turkey has become the world’s 11th largest defense exporter, achieving over $7 billion in defense exports in 2024. He met with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte and senior alliance officials to discuss strategic cooperation and Turkey’s growing role within NATO’s defense ecosystem.

“Turkey’s defense industry infrastructure now meets not only national needs but also those of our allies,” Görgün said, emphasizing Ankara’s commitment to developing a stronger partnership framework with NATO. “Our goal is to deepen cooperation with NATO, contribute more actively to alliance projects, and deliver rapid, cost-effective, and technologically advanced solutions to our allies,” he added.

According to Görgün, more than 50% of Turkey’s total defense exports are directed to NATO countries, with Europe accounting for 27% and the United States 25% of total sales. Turkey now holds 65% of the global UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) market share, making it one of the world’s leading drone exporters. The country’s defense industry encompasses over 3,500 companies, 1,600 of which export products ranging from UAVs, smart munitions, land vehicles, radars, and electronic warfare systems to electro-optics and unmanned naval platforms.

Görgün noted that Turkey’s defense exports are not only increasing in volume but also in technological sophistication. Turkish-made systems — from long-range air defense and radar networks to next-generation unmanned systems — are now battle-proven and deployed across multiple continents. He stressed that Turkey’s defense sector, powered by a highly skilled workforce of more than 90,000 engineers and technicians, continues to deliver innovative, NATO-interoperable solutions across land, air, sea, and space domains.

Highlighting the country’s growing integration with European defense initiatives, Görgün underlined that Turkey’s participation in EU defense programs holds strategic importance for both sides. “Turkey is a reliable and capable NATO ally,” he stated. “With our advanced engineering capabilities, dynamic workforce, and cost-effective systems, we are a dependable partner for our allies and a source of deterrence for our adversaries.”