SAHA 2026 revealed the new power of the Turkish defense industry
In 2016, Turkey's defense exports amounted to just 1.67 billion dollars. By the end of 2026, they are estimated to exceed 11 billion dollars, recording an increase of over 550% within a decade. This is not just an impressive commercial performance, but a strategic transformation that changes Ankara's position on the global map of the defense industry. This explosive growth is attributed to Turkey's long-term investment in domestic weapon system production, as well as the geopolitical developments of recent years, notes Modern Diplomacy. The war in Ukraine, the Israel-Iran conflict, and the growing concern of Gulf states regarding regional security have skyrocketed demand for modern, affordable, and readily available weapon systems.
SAHA 2026 revealed the new power of the Turkish defense industry
The SAHA 2026 defense exhibition, held in Istanbul in May, was the largest demonstration of the capabilities of the Turkish defense industry to date. About 1,800 companies from 120 countries participated in the exhibition, while more than 150,000 visitors and government delegations attended the presentations of new weapon systems. In total, 182 export agreements worth approximately 8 billion dollars were signed, confirming that Turkey is evolving into one of the fastest-growing exporters of defense material globally.
Bayraktar Kizilelma opens new markets
The Bayraktar Kizilelma, the first Turkish stealth unmanned fighter aircraft with a jet engine, made a particular impression. The aircraft secured its first international order from Indonesia, which marks Turkey's entry into the advanced fighter aircraft market, a sector currently dominated by US, European, Russian, and Chinese companies. Recep Tayyip Erdogan characterized the agreement as a "historic milestone" for the Turkish defense industry, arguing that the country is no longer limited to producing drones but is evolving into a full manufacturer of advanced aviation systems.
The war with Iran changed the balances in the Gulf
The recent conflict between Israel, the US, and Iran acted as a catalyst for Gulf countries, which are now seeking faster enhancement of their defense capabilities. Turkey possesses a significant advantage over Western manufacturers: it can deliver weapon systems faster, at a lower cost, and without the strict political restrictions that accompany many Western arms exports. At the same time, the success of Turkish drones on battlefronts such as Libya, Nagorno-Karabakh, and Ukraine significantly boosted the international credibility of Turkish defense technology.
Turkey is becoming a strategic supplier of the Middle East
In recent years, Ankara has significantly strengthened its defense relations with countries such as Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Kuwait, signing agreements that include unmanned aircraft, missile systems, armored vehicles, naval platforms, and electronic defense systems. The agreement with Saudi Arabia for the supply of Bayraktar drones was one of the largest export successes in the history of the Turkish defense industry and signaled the rapprochement of the two countries after years of tension.
The most important thing is not the billions
According to the analysis, the truly critical element is neither the 8 billion dollars in agreements signed at SAHA 2026 nor the forecast for exports exceeding 11 billion dollars. What is essential is that Turkey has now acquired the position of a strategic security supplier for the Middle East and much of the developing world, leveraging geopolitical shifts and the growing need of states for modern, affordable, and operationally proven weapon systems. This transition concerns not only the economy but also the diplomatic influence of Ankara, as every new defense equipment export simultaneously strengthens its political and military ties with the buyers.
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