Killer drones, fighter jets… This Muslim nation set to become new king of defense industry, BIG concern for India due to…

According to a SIPRI report, the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war has greatly benefited this country, significantly boosting its defense exports. Additionally, Bangladesh signed a major defense deal with it, which was officially finalized in January 2024.

There was a time when Turkey relied heavily on foreign weapons, but today, it is emerging as a major player in the defense industry. Dr. Haluk Gorgun, the President of Turkey’s Defense Industry, recently stated that 2024 has been a breakthrough year for the country’s arms sector, achieving significant milestones. This year alone, Turkey has sold over USD 7 billion worth of weapons and defense equipment—a remarkable achievement. Compared to 2023, the country’s arms exports have surged by more than 29 per cent, and Turkey aims to push this figure to USD 10 billion within the next two years.

According to a SIPRI report, the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war has greatly benefited Turkey, significantly boosting its defense exports. Additionally, last year, Bangladesh signed a major defense deal with Turkey, which was officially finalized in January 2024. Turkey is aggressively expanding its defense industry in South Asia, supplying arms to India’s neighboring countries—a development that could pose challenges for India.

Turkey’s defense industry strategy

Turkey has significantly benefited from being a NATO ally, as it has had access to Western defense technology for decades. Initially, Turkey primarily imported weapons, but things took a turn after the 1974 Cyprus crisis, which strained its relations with Western nations. In response, the U.S. imposed an arms embargo on Turkey. Following the Cold War and the collapse of the Soviet Union, Turkey decided to develop its own defense industry to reduce dependency on foreign arms suppliers.

Today, Turkey boasts the world’s eighth-largest military and has the second-largest army within NATO. It has also become the 11th-largest arms exporter in the global defense market. President Erdogan considers the defense industry a crucial pillar of Turkey’s economy. His government has heavily supported Turkish defense companies, which secure contracts and projects worth USD 10-15 billion annually, generating approximately USD 26 billion in revenue.

How Turkey transformed from a weapons buyer to a global arms exporter

To achieve self-reliance in defense manufacturing, Turkey has made massive investments in research and development while also encouraging private companies to grow in the sector. A major focus has been on aerial warfare, and today, Turkey’s drone industry is among the most advanced in the world. Drones like Aksungur, Akinci, Anka, and Bayraktar TB-2 have gained global attention, with multiple countries purchasing them. Since 2018, Turkey has captured nearly 65% of the global drone export market.

One of the biggest boosts to Turkey’s defense reputation came during the 2020 and 2023 Nagorno-Karabakh conflicts, where Azerbaijan’s victory over Armenia was significantly aided by Turkish Bayraktar TB-2 drones. Their success sparked massive interest worldwide. Additionally, Turkish Aerospace Industries has doubled its production plans for the fifth-generation fighter jet TF KAAN, placing Turkey alongside the U.S., Russia, and China in the elite group of nations manufacturing stealth fighters.

Turkey’s growing influence in Arab and African defense markets

Beyond drones, Turkey has also developed advanced military hardware, including the T129 ATAK attack helicopter, Altay main battle tank, and Otokar ARMA armored vehicle, all designed for modern warfare. In recent years, Turkey has signed joint production agreements with countries like Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, the UAE, Malaysia, and Indonesia, further strengthening its strategic position in the global arms trade.

Saudi Arabia has expressed interest in purchasing Turkey’s fifth-generation fighter jets, while the UAE has already signed defense agreements. Outside the Islamic world, Turkey has also made significant inroads into the African arms market. Countries in the Horn of Africa and the Sahel region have begun purchasing Turkish weapons and military equipment, further solidifying Turkey’s status as a rising defense powerhouse.

Are Turkish weapons a concern for India?

Turkey’s growing defense exports to India’s neighboring countries like Bangladesh, Pakistan, and the Maldives—have raised serious security concerns in New Delhi. Relations between India and Turkey were already strained due to Ankara’s repeated comments on Jammu and Kashmir. Now, Turkey’s increasing defense cooperation with India’s neighbors has added to these tensions.

Bangladesh recently signed big defense deals with Turkey, adding to India’s security concerns. In 2024, the Maldives also signed a defense agreement with Turkey and has since stationed Turkish drones in its Special Economic Zone (SEZ). With Turkey expanding its military ties in South Asia, its increasing presence near India raises potential security challenges for New Delhi.