Modern conflicts are driving demand for inexpensive, mass‑produced autonomous systems and counter‑drone technologies, industry officials said at SAHA EXPO, Türkiye’s largest defense fair, which opened Tuesday in Istanbul.
Companies said militaries are prioritizing affordable, combat‑tested equipment amid high losses on recent battlefields. “The industry is pivoting toward designs that are more cost‑effective and scalable for mass production,” said Mert Nakisli, a technical leader at defense firm Tekatron.
Tekatron showcased “Palem,” a 3‑ton tracked unmanned ground vehicle used by the Turkish Armed Forces, and unveiled a new wheeled UGV concept designed for rapid, large‑scale production. Nakisli said the platform can carry FPV drones and light weapons.
Other firms highlighted similar shifts. Baykar presented its “Mosquito” kamikaze drone, a compact system built for mass production and equipped with AI‑supported navigation for use in GPS‑denied environments. Chairman Selcuk Bayraktar said autonomous systems are reshaping the defense sector.
Counter‑drone capabilities were also prominent. DASAL Aviation introduced a new interceptor drone designed to neutralize hostile aircraft. “We are now prioritizing advanced autonomous systems like our new anti‑drone platform,” said business development manager Merve Sanli.
As the fair closed Saturday, industry representatives said modern warfare increasingly favors scalable, adaptable systems over expensive conventional platforms, with mass production and autonomy expected to dominate future conflicts.