SSB President Haluk Görgün announced that Turkey's annualized defense and aerospace exports surpassed $11 billion for the first time, reaching 514.86 billion Turkish lira. June exports totaled $802.8 million, representing a 29.6% increase compared to the same period last year. The January-June period saw exports reach $4.67 billion, up 29.5% year-over-year. Görgün attributed this achievement to the proven success of Turkish defense products in the field and the deepening industrial ecosystem supporting the sector.

The SSB occupies a central position in Turkey's defense industry institutional framework. Established in 2018, the agency manages strategic oversight, project coordination, and international marketing activities for the defense and aerospace sector. Leading companies including ASELSAN, ROKETSAN, TUSAŞ, Baykar, HAVELSAN, and STM operate under the SSB umbrella, forming the backbone of Turkey's defense export ecosystem. Görgün's announcement reflects the tangible success of this institutional coordination and integrated approach.

Turkey's defense exports encompass diverse platforms and systems. Unmanned aerial vehicles such as the Bayraktar TB2 and AKINCI, missile systems including ATMACA, SOM, and HİSAR, the ALTAY main battle tank, naval vessels like the MİLGEM and ADA-class corvettes, and electronic systems produced by ASELSAN and HAVELSAN form the core components of these exports. These systems incorporate advanced technology, meet international standards, and have demonstrated proven operational performance in field environments.

Turkey's defense industry has achieved significant milestones in its development trajectory. Defense exports grew from $2.5 billion in 2015 to over $10 billion in 2025, and now exceed $11 billion in 2026. This rapid expansion reflects increased localization rates, deepening research and development investments, and growing international market confidence. Ongoing product development initiatives by companies such as ROKETSAN and TUSAŞ continue to sustain this momentum.

Turkey's position in the global defense export market continues to strengthen. Following Russia, the United States, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom, Turkey is positioning itself to enter the world's top ten defense exporters. The export of more than 230 defense systems to 185 countries demonstrates the global recognition of product quality and reliability. As a NATO member, Turkey delivers systems meeting Western standards while developing solutions tailored to regional security requirements.