The success of the Turkish defense industry in exports will continue
Haluk Görgün, the President of the Defense Industry, stated that the momentum of increase in defense industry exports will continue, saying, "We closed last year with $5.5 billion worth of export deliveries, but we also signed new contracts worth $10.2 billion. This year, we will meet the needs of friendly countries with even larger figures.
The Defense and Aerospace Industrial Cooperation Days (ICCDA) event, organized by the Defense and Aerospace Cluster of Turkey (OSSA), began at ATO Congresium. Over the course of three days, the event will bring together global players, main contractor institutions and organizations with SMEs in the defense and aerospace sector for business meetings.
Ibrahim Yarsan, the Chairman of the OSSA Board of Directors, said during the opening of the event that with the projects implemented in recent years, the Turkish defense industry has written a significant success story on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the Republic.
Yarsan emphasized their aim during the event to establish new collaborations between SMEs and prime industry companies with participants from over 50 countries. He pointed out that these collaborations are crucial for the development of the sector.
Our export value per kilogram increased by 14% last year," stated Prof. Dr. Haluk Görgün, emphasizing that efforts to meet the needs of the defense industry are rapidly continuing. He said, "From main and subcontractor companies to SMEs, universities, and R&D centers, a large ecosystem is the most important actor in the growth and development of our defense industry."
Görgün conveyed that Turkey's defense industry exports have been increasing every year, addressing the needs of both domestic and friendly countries' militaries across various fields from land, sea, and air defense to space over the past decade.
Highlighting Turkey's position as a country recognized for its competitive and technological products internationally, Görgün noted, "The export value per kilogram continues to increase every year. Our export value per kilogram reached $65 last year, showing a 14% increase compared to the previous year. We prioritize ensuring sustainable growth for our sector. We recognize that our sector is growing, and managing this growth is our main challenge. Therefore, as the presidency, we pay special attention to national and international industrialization events, the establishment of business platforms, and increasing interaction.
Görgün underscored the importance of events like this in highlighting business and investment opportunities in the country, stating that they have seen and will continue to see the results of the steps taken.
He further commented on the developments, stating, "We closed last year with $5.5 billion worth of export deliveries, but we also signed new contracts worth $10.2 billion. This year, with the efforts of our companies, we will meet the needs of friendly countries with even larger figures. We anticipate that these numbers will increase with our cooperation approach that aims to establish sustainable defense industry collaboration.
Expressing satisfaction with the significant participation from over 50 countries in the event, Görgün shared his delight.
Ankara: The Locomotive of Turkey's Defense Industry
Orhan Aydın, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the OSTIM Organized Industrial Zone, emphasized the formation of a defense industry ecosystem in Ankara and the establishment of clusters to advance this ecosystem further. Aydın expressed great pride in hosting this structure, saying, "We see that Turkey has the production power and the ability to produce quality products. We will make every effort to increase this power in the supply system."
Gürsel Baran, President of the Ankara Chamber of Commerce, highlighted that the Turkish defense industry is experiencing its golden age, attributing significant contributions to SMEs in this success. He noted OSSA's efforts to increase SME contributions to the sector and expressed belief that the event will open doors to new business opportunities.
Seyit Ardıç, President of the Ankara Chamber of Industry, reported one of the most valuable works in the defense and aerospace industry over the past 20 years, reaching localization rates of up to 80%.
Ardıç stressed that it is impossible to talk about economic and political independence without a defense industry, emphasizing Ankara's position as the locomotive of the country in terms of defense and aerospace industries.
