Stating that Turkiye is moving towards becoming a global arms exporter, the German Institute for International and Security Affairs (SWP) published a remarkable analysis of the Turkish defense industry. The organization points out that the Turkish defense industry and the innovation and ecosystem developing around it aim to position Turkiye as a “technology country”.
German Institute for International and Security Affairs (SWP) reported that Turkiye is moving towards becoming a global arms exporter.
“TURKIYE IS ON THE WAY TO BECOME A GLOBAL ARMS EXPORTER”
In SWP’s analysis titled “Turkiye is on its way to becoming a global arms exporter”, the strategic restructuring of the Turkish defense industry within the framework of increasing competitiveness was examined.
BAYRAKTAR TB2’S OPENED THE DOORS OF A NEW ERA IN TURKISH DEFENSE POLICY
In the analysis, it was stated that the Turkish defense industry has developed rapidly in the last decade and the products have repeatedly proven their military operational capabilities, and that the Bayraktar TB2 unmanned aerial vehicles of the Turkish company Baykar have been exported to many countries and that this is the most visible sign that a new era has begun in Turkish defense policy.
THEY AIM TO POSITION TURKIYE AS A “TECHNOLOGY COUNTRY”
The analysis pointed out that the defense industry and the innovation and ecosystem developing around it aim to position Turkiye as a “technology country”, and emphasized that Ankara focuses on its own production rather than procurement from abroad.
THE MAIN GOAL IS TO HAVE COMPLETELY DOMESTIC PRODUCTION
In the analysis, attention was drawn to defense projects such as the development of TB2 unmanned aerial vehicles, Atak helicopter, Altay tank, Anka-3 stealth fighter plane or Kaan stealth fighter plane. It has been reported that Turkiye’s current armament policy follows the main goal of developing and producing weapon systems entirely under the “Made in Turkiye” label.
TRANSFORMATION HAS GAINED SPEED SINCE 2015
In the analysis, it was noted that the need to expand domestic production capacities dates back to the mid-1970s and that the transformation of the Turkish defense industry has accelerated especially since 2015.
BAYRAKTAR TB2 TRACES IN THE RUSSIAN-UKRAINE WAR
After the start of the Russia-Ukraine war in February 2022, the analysis reminded that Bayraktar unmanned aerial vehicles stopped the advance of Russian armored units towards Kiev, and emphasized that Turkiye has become an important player in the international arms export league with the TB2 unmanned aerial vehicle.
“IT CAN ALSO BE EXPORTED TO THE GERMAN ARMY”
In the analysis, which also touched upon Turkiye’s demand for the Eurofighter fighter jet, the following statements were made:
“The sale of Eurofighter aircraft to Turkiye will be much more than a commercial arms export agreement. In terms of defense policy, this would mean a decision to continue integrating Turkiye into Western military-industrial systems rather than indirectly promoting its strategic autonomy. Finally, opportunities may also open up for new cooperation formats, for example, by exporting Turkish military equipment, such as unmanned aerial vehicles, to the German army.”
TURKISH SOFTWARE IN NATO PROJECT
In the analysis, it was stated that cooperation with NATO partners continues to be an important part of Turkiye’s defense and security policy, for example, in the NATO-Intel FS2 project, all software of NATO’s reconnaissance infrastructure was developed by the Turkish company STM.
KAAN WILL CHANGE THE BALANCES
SWP also reported that mass production of the Kaan fighter jet is expected to be secured by 2028, which could allow Turkiye to gradually replace its current inventory of American F-16 fighter jets.
Source: Sabah / Prepared by Irem Yildiz