Ahead of the NATO Summit hosted by Turkey, the defense and aerospace sector demonstrated significant export growth. Between June 1, 2025 and May 31, 2026, the sector's total exports increased 47.12 percent compared to the previous period. Exports reached 10 billion 885 million 606 thousand dollars during this timeframe, up from 7 billion 399 million 103 thousand dollars in the prior year. Turkey's shipment of defense and aerospace products to 178 countries demonstrates the sector's increasingly prominent position on the global stage.

International contacts and defense industry diplomacy coordinated by the SSB played a critical role in driving export growth. The Presidency of Defense Industries, through bilateral meetings and strategic partnerships with friendly and allied nations, enhanced the visibility of Turkish firms in international markets. These efforts positioned Turkey not merely as a product supplier but as a technology developer and creator of joint production models, establishing the country as a regional defense technology hub. Consequently, long-term cooperation relationships with allied nations deepened.

Exports to NATO member states clearly demonstrate the strategic importance of the sector. During the period in question, NATO allies purchased 6 billion 235 million 676 thousand dollars worth of products, representing 57.28 percent of total exports. The fact that NATO members occupy the top three positions in country-based export rankings reflects the economic manifestation of Turkey's strategic role within the Alliance. This trend demonstrates allied confidence in Turkish defense industry products' compliance with NATO standards and reliability.

Turkish defense industry export success results from sector investments and localization efforts over the past two decades. Leading firms such as ASELSAN, ROKETSAN, TUSAŞ, Baykar, and MKE have invested billions of dollars in national technology development and research-and-development projects, bringing the sector to its current standing. Achievements in UAV/armed UAV platforms, missile systems, electronic warfare, and radar technologies have increased international demand for Turkish products. These developments have transformed Turkish solutions into preferred choices not only for Turkey's defense needs but also for allied nations' requirements.

The sector's per-kilogram export value of 65.16 dollars demonstrates the success of Turkey's technology-focused export strategy. While Turkey's average export kilogram value stands at 1.62 dollars, the defense and aerospace sector delivers approximately 40 times higher value-added per kilogram. This differential reflects the sector's high technology and engineering intensity. The defense industry's performance contributes significantly to the national economy while serving as an indicator of Turkey's rising weight in global technology and innovation.