Türkiye has achieved a strategic milestone in the localization of armor steel, one of the most critical materials used in the defence industry. Operating under OYAK, Miilux continues to make a major contribution to Türkiye’s domestic and national production drive by supplying high-strength armor steel for key defence platforms. The company’s capabilities were highlighted at the SAHA 2026 International Defence, Aerospace and Space Industry Fair held at the Istanbul Expo Center.

Organized by SAHA Istanbul, one of the largest defence, aerospace and space industry clusters in Türkiye and Europe, SAHA 2026 continues to bring together leading companies and new technologies from the Turkish defence sector. At the fair, Miilux stood out as Türkiye’s domestic armor steel producer, supporting the defence industry with critical protection solutions ranging from armored land vehicles to national naval platforms.

OYAK General Manager Murat Yalçıntaş stated that the progress achieved by SAHA Istanbul since its foundation is a source of pride for the Turkish defence industry. He noted that the fair has grown every year in terms of both participants and visitors, with Turkish companies attending with larger stands and new products. According to Yalçıntaş, this development reflects the rapid progress of the Turkish defence industry and the increasing international interest in Türkiye’s capabilities.

Yalçıntaş emphasized that Miilux is Türkiye’s only domestic and national armor steel producer. He underlined that armor steel is one of the most strategic defence materials in the world and that Miilux controls the entire technology behind its production. This means the company does not face restrictions in manufacturing or exporting its products, giving Türkiye a major advantage in securing uninterrupted access to a critical defence material.

Miilux’s production chain is carried out entirely within Türkiye. The raw material is extracted from Sivas, transformed into steel in Ereğli and Istanbul, and then tempered at the company’s facility in Manisa using advanced technology. As a result, the entire value chain from mine to final product is completed with fully domestic capital and technology. This structure provides Türkiye with both strategic independence and supply security in armor steel.

With Miilux becoming operational, the difficulties Türkiye previously faced in armor steel procurement have been largely eliminated. The company’s high-strength steel products are used primarily in armored land vehicles, but their application also extends to naval projects. Yalçıntaş noted that steel for Türkiye’s national submarine and aircraft carrier projects is also supplied by Miilux, making the company a strategic provider not only for land platforms but also for naval defence programs.

Yalçıntaş also highlighted Türkiye’s growing weight in the global defence industry. He stated that the Republic of Türkiye now holds a very important position in the defence sector and that no major player in the industry can make calculations without taking Türkiye into account. This assessment shows that Türkiye has become not only a producer of defence systems but also a country whose capabilities and industrial ecosystem influence global defence planning.

In addition to defence industry developments, Yalçıntaş commented on the planned reduction of corporate tax for industrial companies from 25 percent to 12.5 percent. He said this regulation would create significant relief for the sector, particularly for transparent companies that regularly pay their taxes. He added that the measure is expected to support employment, access to credit, exports and new investments.

Yalçıntaş noted that companies have been operating in a difficult global environment shaped by physical and trade conflicts, rising logistics costs and increasing energy expenses. In this context, he said the latest step would significantly ease the burden on Turkish industry and open the way for further growth. The use of technologies such as artificial intelligence in public finance and tax auditing was also described as a factor improving the accuracy of tax inspections.

Miilux’s success in armor steel production is considered an important part of Türkiye’s broader goal of localization and strategic independence in the defence industry. With applications ranging from armored vehicles to national ships, submarines and aircraft carrier projects, domestic armor steel provides secure and uninterrupted support for the needs of the Turkish Armed Forces. Through its high-strength products, Miilux strengthens Türkiye’s defence capabilities while also representing the country as a competitive player in the global market.