Ankara:Türkiye is set to invest approximately $2.01 billion in its aviation and space sectors over the next three years, as outlined in the 2027 central government budget draft and budget justification. This substantial financial commitment underscores Türkiye's ambition to enhance its global standing in these industries.
According to Anadolu Agency – English, the budget allocated for Türkiye's space and aviation program, which was $176 million this year, will see a significant increase of 181.7%, reaching $495.7 million by 2027. This increment is part of a broader strategy to strengthen the country's competitiveness on the international stage.
Projected budget allocations indicate a further rise to $616.9 million in 2028 and $745 million in 2029. Within this framework, $377.3 million is earmarked for the construction, operation, and servicing of air transport facilities. Aviation infrastructure investments are expected to grow, reaching $581.1 million in 2028 and $596.2 million in 2029, driven by increasing domestic travel demand.
Ankara has set ambitious targets for airport passenger numbers, aiming to welcome 272 million passengers next year, with the numbers anticipated to grow to 282 million in 2028 and 291 million by 2029. The budget also supports the National Space Program and related technological advancements, aiming to bolster homegrown technologies and facilitate research and testing infrastructure.
Recent achievements in Türkiye's space sector include the launch of its first homegrown communications satellite, Turksat 6A, and the sub-meter Earth observation satellite, Imece. Additionally, Türkiye marked a milestone with its participation in its first crewed science missions in 2024, where space travelers Alper Gezeravci and Tuva Cihangir Atasever conducted various experiments.
The southwestern city of Antalya recently hosted the 77th International Astronautical Congress, from October 5 to 9, ahead of Türkiye's upcoming deep-space lunar mission. This mission will utilize a spacecraft with more than 80% local content, featuring a hybrid propulsion system, which is currently in the testing phase. The Turkish Space Agency is also working on establishing a spaceport in Somalia to secure independent access to orbit.