Ankara: Over the past decade, Trkiye has emerged as a formidable player in the global arms export market, achieving a record-breaking $7.1 billion in arms exports in 2024. Trkiye's growing influence in the defense sector is marked by NATO partners increasingly modernizing their military capabilities through investments in Turkish companies. A notable example is STM's recent agreement to construct two fleet replenishment ships for the Portuguese Navy. Additionally, NATO members Albania, Croatia, and Romania have incorporated Turkish drones into their military inventories.

According to Anadolu Agency, Trkiye is not only expanding its export capacity but also gaining international recognition for its military-industrial complex. Turkish companies are extending their reach by investing in the defense sector abroad, as exemplified by Baykar's acquisition of the Italian company Piaggio Aerospace in December 2024. This reflects Trkiye's commitment to increasing its influence and capabilities in the global defense market.

While Trkiye is making strides in local production and export volumes, other countries are grappling with challenges in their defense industries. The US and the EU are debating reforms to overcome bureaucratic and expenditure obstacles in military procurement. Industry leaders are urging the US administration to consider lessons from countries like Trkiye. In Germany, discussions ahead of the federal elections on February 23 focus on the future financing needed for modernization efforts in its armed forces.

Trkiye's achievements are particularly relevant against the backdrop of escalating conflicts in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, as well as the rise of China's military-industrial complex. Over the past decade, Trkiye's defense industry has bolstered its economy through an innovation ecosystem and start-up network, demonstrating a successful model of improving defense capacity while expanding economic strength.

Trkiye's military expenditure for 2025 is projected to exceed $46 billion, marking a 17.5% increase from the previous year's budget. Despite this rise in defense spending, Trkiye maintains a stable government debt-to-GDP ratio, illustrating that defense capacity improvements do not necessarily lead to higher debt levels. The Turkish defense industry has expanded its export markets through local innovation and targeted financial resources, integrating universities and start-ups into its research and development efforts.

However, challenges persist. Instability in neighboring regions like Syria, Iraq, and Iran has influenced Trkiye's national security strategies, particularly in modernizing its air defense capabilities. Delays from Berlin in approving the sale of the Eurofighter Typhoon jets have caused frustration in Ankara. These obstacles have driven Trkiye to enhance its indigenous manufacturing capabilities, as seen with the development of the KAAN, Trkiye's first locally made fighter aircraft. Nonetheless, critical gaps remain, notably the absence of an indigenous microchip sector essential for producing advanced military hardware and software.