Turkish defense industry with record exports in 2023

Turkey has increased its annual export of defense industry products by 27% in 2023, Defense Industry Agency President Haluk Görgun said, informing that about 230 different products are sold in 185 countries around the world.
Görgun praised his agency's performance in 2023 and outlined the goals set for 2024 at a meeting with Ankara media bureau chiefs in the Turkish capital, Hürriyet reported.
"I can say that we have fully achieved the goals set for 2023 in every area. In 2023, we broke the record in terms of exports of defense industry products. Exports of our defense industry increased by 27% compared to 2022 and reached a total of 5.5 billion dollars,” said Gjorgun. He also informed that in 2023, new contracts with a total value of more than 10 billion dollars were also signed.
"This is a reflection of confidence in our defense industry," the official stressed, calling Turkey's growing defense industry "Turkey's rising star."
Görgun recalled that Turkish defense industry products were sold to 170 countries in 2022 and that this number increased to 185 countries in the past year. "We export about 230 different defense industry products," he said.
Turkey has become one of the leading exporters of drones and armed drones in recent years, as these products have proven their quality both in Turkey and in the countries where they are actively used.
"For us, the fact that our products are sold and used effectively by our friends and allies is a good proof of the success of our industry," added Haluk Görgun.
Geopolitical changes require deterrence
Turkey is among the five countries that can produce advanced armed drones, and among 10 countries that can produce submarines and other naval vessels, Görgun recalled, adding: "We are of the opinion that Turkey's deterrence in the face of changes in geopolitical balances can only be possible through a strong and national capacity of the defense industry. The Turkish official promised a lot of good news regarding the achievements of the defense industry in 2024, noting that Turkey's first indigenous fifth-generation combat aircraft, the KAAN, will make its maiden flight.
“KAAN will take off soon. But at the same time, we have already started our work on the sixth generation of fighter jets," said Gjorgun, adding that KAAN will use the engines, which will be fully developed and produced by national resources. /BGNES