Turkey’s defense and aerospace industry surpassed the $10 billion export mark in 2025, posting a nearly 48% increase from the previous year, the head of the Defense Industries Presidency (SSB) said.
SSB President Haluk Görgün said the sector ended 2024 with $7.1 billion in exports and closed 2025 at $10.054 billion — $9.87 billion in goods and $184 million in services. The figures were announced at a ceremony in Istanbul attended by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
Görgün said the industry broke monthly records throughout 2025, including more than $2.5 billion in exports in December alone. He added that new contracts signed during the year showed even stronger momentum, rising nearly 80% compared with 2024.
He noted that defense and aerospace exports now account for 3.7% of Turkey’s total exports, up from 1.7% in 2022.
Görgün credited the growth to advanced, cost‑effective products, expanding platforms, and strong after‑sales support. He highlighted several major deals signed in 2025, including military ship exports to Portugal, a HÜRJET trainer aircraft agreement with Spain, a KAAN fighter jet contract with Indonesia, and an offshore patrol vessel deal with Romania.
He said Turkey closed 2025 with $17.8 billion in new defense contracts and expects 2026 to bring further records as deliveries accelerate.
Four of Turkey’s top ten export destinations for defense products were EU countries, with the United States also among the leading buyers. Görgün said 56% of total exports went to EU, NATO and U.S. markets, followed by Asia‑Pacific, the Middle East and Africa.
He added that dynamic production, a skilled workforce and reliable post‑delivery support continue to drive demand and will shape future sales.