Turkey's defense and aerospace sector achieved $2.8 billion in exports during the first four months of 2026, representing a 28 percent increase compared to the same period last year. Trade Minister Ömer Bolat disclosed these figures at the SAHA 2026 International Defense and Aerospace Exhibition, organized by SAHA Istanbul. Bolat highlighted the sector's two-decade trajectory, noting that exports have grown from $248 million to $10.05 billion last year, underscoring the accelerating momentum in this strategic industry.

SAHA Istanbul represents Turkey and Europe's largest industrial cluster in the defense, aviation, and space sectors. This year's exhibition was held across 100,000 square meters at the Istanbul Expo Center and ran through Saturday. Bolat emphasized that the fair holds "prestigious fair" status supported by the Trade Ministry and that all exhibition space was fully booked. The event attracted 8,000 registered professional visitors from abroad, with more than 100 delegations conducting procurement negotiations.

Turkey's defense and aerospace ecosystem comprises 3,500 companies and approximately 100,000 highly skilled workers and research and development personnel. The sector carries a project backlog valued at $100 billion while contributing $20 billion to Turkey's national income. Bolat stressed that major brand organizations operate alongside thousands of subsidiary companies in the supply chain, enabling Turkey to achieve brain gain from international talent and expertise.

Last year, Turkey exported $3.7 billion worth of rockets, missiles, and smart munitions, while unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) generated $2.1 billion in export revenue. Turkey maintains a strong position in land vehicles and has made notable advances in air defense systems and point defense systems. These figures demonstrate the sector's technological maturity and competitive strength across multiple defense domains.

International interest in Turkish defense capabilities remains robust. Canada's Minister of State for Defense Procurement, Stephen Fuhr, visited the fair with a substantial delegation, expressing intent to expand government and company-level cooperation with Turkey in defense and aviation. Military officials, procurement executives, and specialists from numerous countries attended the exhibition, reflecting the global demand for Turkish defense products and systems.

Bolat announced that contracts exceeding $10 billion are expected to be signed by Turkish companies during the fair. This projection underscores the strategic value of the event for Turkey's defense, aviation, and industrial sectors. The sector's success reflects investments in localization, indigenous technology development, and the competitive positioning of platforms such as those developed by ASELSAN, ROKETSAN, TUSAŞ, and Baykar in global markets.