Turkey’s leading firearms manufacturer, Sarsılmaz, has signed a contract with the Presidency of Defense Industries (SSB) to deliver 84,800 domestically produced SAR9 METE pistols to the General Directorate of Security and the Gendarmerie General Command.
The agreement was signed at the 17th International Defense Industry Fair (IDEF 2025), held at the Istanbul Expo Center under the auspices of the Ministry of National Defense and supported by the SSB. The event is organized by KFA Fuarcılık AŞ and overseen by the Turkish Armed Forces Foundation (TSKGV). Anadolu Agency is the official Global Communication Partner of the fair.
The signing ceremony was attended by SSB President Haluk Görgün and Sarsılmaz Chairman of the Board Latif Aral Aliş.
Sarsılmaz Sales Coordinator Nuri Kızıltan emphasized that this latest contract is part of an ongoing project. “Today, we signed a deal for 84,800 more units. In fact, this is another step in a continuing project and it will proceed further,” he said. “Currently, our products are in the hands of nearly all our security and military personnel.”
Sarsılmaz has previously delivered approximately 500,000 pistols to law enforcement units. Kızıltan highlighted that the SAR9 METE project began in 2016 and has since achieved notable success. He noted that the weapon passed durability tests involving 30,000 rounds fired from each of three pistols—demonstrating the project’s sustainability and reliability.
During IDEF 2025, Sarsılmaz showcased over 300 products developed with domestic capabilities, attracting significant interest from both local and international visitors. Among the displays was a fully domestically produced robotic dog, which Kızıltan said represents the company’s commitment to technological innovation and future goals.
Kızıltan also underscored the company’s extensive product range, including AR-platform rifles chambered in 7.62x39mm, developed to meet general military requirements. He noted that Sarsılmaz operates the first and only dedicated R&D center for weapons in Turkey.
“We are constantly pursuing innovation and new product development,” he stated. “With a legacy spanning over 140 years and moving towards its 150th anniversary, we are a fourth-generation company solely focused on firearms.”
Drone-Targeting Ammunition in Development
Kızıltan also discussed the increasing role of drones in modern warfare, stressing the cost-inefficiency of using machine guns against them. Instead, he explained that hunting and sporting ammunition—with its wide spread and area coverage—is proving to be more effective.
“Since we also have our own ammunition factory, we are producing special drone-killer rounds,” he added. These munitions, he said, have garnered significant interest both domestically and internationally due to the growing threat posed by drones capable of carrying explosives and weapons. Neutralizing such threats before they approach targets is now a critical priority.
While emphasizing that the Turkish market remains the primary focus, Kızıltan stated that Sarsılmaz aims to expand further into global markets. “This sector is crucial for bringing in foreign currency and value to the country. We are already achieving great success in defense and we intend to build on that momentum,” he concluded.
Source: Anadolu Ajansı/ Prepared by: İlayda Gök