November 9, 2025 – Ankara, Turkey
Manufacturing and Sourcing in Türkiye’s High-Tech Defense Ecosystem
Turkey (Türkiye) has firmly established itself as a leading global Supplier and Manufacturing hub for Defense Industry Components, including Special Mechanical and Electronic Parts, avionics, and specialized sub-systems. This sector is characterized by immense R&D Investment and a strategic drive toward self-sufficiency, which has successfully positioned Turkey as a major international Exporter.
- Record Export Performance: The Turkish Defense and Aerospace industry is breaking records, reporting 6.7 billion dollars in Exports for the first ten months of 2025—a 31 percent increase year-on-year. The sector aims to exceed 8 billion dollars by the end of 2025, up from 7.15 billion dollars in 2024.
- Product Focus: While finished products like Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) dominate the platform level, the core strength for Sourcing lies in the high-tech, domestic Manufacturing of components, sub-systems, and military Textiles. This high-value production contributes significantly to the overall Economy.
Strategic R&D and Nearshoring for Security
The sector’s growth is fundamentally driven by a long-term policy of localizing Manufacturing to reduce dependence on foreign Suppliers and secure the national Supply Chain.
- R&D Investment: The number of active defense projects has skyrocketed from just 62 in 2002 to over 1,100 in 2024. This massive scale of R&D is fostering domestic expertise in Advanced Electronics, Avionics, and Precision Mechanical Parts.
- Global Footprint and Trade: Turkish defense Exports now reach over 100 countries, with major Trade partners including NATO allies and nations in Asia, Africa, and the Middle East (Internal Link: Asian Investors Strengthen Türkiye Manufacturing). Over 55 percent of 2024 Exports were directed to Europe and NATO allies, highlighting Turkey’s integration with Western markets.
Investment and Industrial Goods Opportunities
Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the defense and aerospace supply chain is highly valued, particularly in areas that promote technology transfer and specialized Manufacturing.
- FDI Environment: Turkey’s FDI regime generally treats foreign investors equally to domestic ones, although strategic investments are guided by government priorities to maximize domestic content.
- Component Sourcing: Opportunities abound for foreign Suppliers and investors in Industrial Goods focusing on niche, high-specification components, including specialized Electronic Parts and materials for the new generation of national platforms like the KAAN National Combat Aircraft. This high-tech push benefits the entire Manufacturing Economy (Internal Link: Auto Parts: $16 Billion Manufacturing Hub).
Next Steps for Global Defense Contractors
For international defense contractors and specialized Industrial Goods Suppliers, Turkey / Türkiye offers a rapidly maturing, high-technology Manufacturing ecosystem with a clear government focus on indigenous component production and strong Exports growth.
To explore strategic Sourcing partnerships for Special Mechanical and Electronic Defense Components, or to evaluate FDI in Turkey’s high-tech Aerospace and Manufacturing R&D centers, contact the experts at Burc Consulting.
