Analysis of Turkey's Defense Industry from German Newspaper Handelsblatt
German economic newspaper Handelsblatt examined Turkey's global rise in the defense industry, its export figures, and major contracts signed with European allies.
Germany-based economic newspaper Handelsblatt comprehensively evaluated Turkey's major breakthroughs in the defense industry, its increasing export figures, and its strategic weight in the global market.
Rise in the Global Arms Market
German economic newspaper Handelsblatt emphasized that Turkey has increased its weight on a global scale in fighter jets, multi-layered air defense systems, unmanned aerial vehicles, and radar technologies.
Based on SIPRI data, the analysis reported that Turkey has risen to become the world's 11th largest arms exporter and increased its share in the global arms export market to 1.8 percent.
Contracts Concluded with European Countries
The analysis noted that NATO and European Union member countries such as Italy, Spain, France, and Poland have joined the customers or business partners preferring Turkish defense products.
While it was stated that Baykar has exported its Bayraktar TB2 armed drones to more than 30 countries, it was reported that Turkey will deliver 30 HÜRJET training aircraft to Spain and that STM will build two logistical support ships for the Portuguese navy.
ASELSAN's International Tender Successes
ASELSAN winning the 410 million dollar electronic warfare systems tender in Poland by leaving behind German rivals was among the important headings of the analysis.
It was also stated that the friend-or-foe identification contract signed by the company with NATO is a critical milestone in international cooperation within the defense field.
Steel Dome and Localization Moves
Special emphasis was placed in the news on the multi-layered Steel Dome air defense project with artificial intelligence integration, jointly developed by ASELSAN and stakeholder institutions.
It was pointed out that the system in question takes Turkey's technological independence vision to a higher stage.
Historical Development and Sectoral Size
Handelsblatt stated that the foundations of Turkey's transformation in the defense industry were laid with the US embargo following the 1974 Cyprus Peace Operation and gained momentum with R&D investments starting from 2003.
It was recorded that today over 3,500 companies operate in Turkey, approximately 100,000 personnel are employed, and five Turkish companies have entered the world's top 100 defense firms.