The NATO Summit held in Ankara once again showcased the
remarkable progress Türkiye has achieved in its defense industry.
Following widespread praise from allied leaders for the country’s
indigenous defense programs, the Presidency of Defense Industries
(SSB) unveiled its strategic roadmap for the next phase of
development. At the heart of this vision is the creation of a
robust nationwide supply and manufacturing ecosystem capable of
producing critical defense technologies entirely through domestic
capabilities.
Under its strategy, “Developing Technologies and Capabilities
That Will Shape the Future Through National Resources,” the SSB is
currently overseeing more than 1,100 defense projects. The
objective extends beyond developing platforms that meet today’s
operational requirements; it is also aimed at ensuring that Türkiye
can independently design and manufacture the advanced technologies
expected to define the future battlefield. As part of this
strategy, Ankara seeks to reduce foreign dependence in key areas
ranging from propulsion systems and semiconductor technologies to
radar systems and integrated air defense networks.
One of the most significant pillars of the new strategy is to
ensure that defense production is no longer concentrated among only
a handful of major companies. To achieve this, the SSB plans to
establish a comprehensive national supply ecosystem that will
integrate small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), universities,
and technology parks across all 81 provinces of Türkiye into the
development and production of critical defense technologies. The
initiative is expected to significantly expand domestic
manufacturing capacity, accelerate production processes, and
enhance the defense sector’s resilience against future disruptions
and geopolitical crises. Recognizing that the international order
established after World War II is undergoing profound
transformation, Türkiye has made substantial investments in its
defense industry over the past decade and is now positioning itself
for a new strategic era. Under this vision, the country’s defense
industrial base will no longer be confined to a limited number of
companies or production centers but will evolve into a nationwide
innovation and manufacturing network.
Having established itself as a global leader in unmanned aerial
systems through the success of its armed drones, Türkiye now aims
to extend that competitive advantage into next-generation defense
technologies. Among the SSB’s strategic priorities are artificial
intelligence, swarming autonomous systems, quantum technologies,
directed-energy weapons, including laser systems, and space-based
defense capabilities. Rather than focusing solely on catching up
with competitors in already mature technologies, the strategy
prioritizes investment in emerging fields where no single country
has yet achieved undisputed technological dominance. Through this
approach, Ankara seeks to further strengthen its asymmetric
advantages in the defense sector while positioning itself at the
forefront of future military innovation.
Another key priority outlined by the SSB is ensuring the
long-term sustainability of defense systems throughout their entire
operational life cycle. By carrying out the maintenance, repair,
modernization, and lifecycle support of domestically developed
platforms within Türkiye, the country aims to reinforce its
logistical independence while keeping billions of dollars in
defense-related expenditures within the national economy.
Policymakers expect this strategy not only to enhance Türkiye’s
deterrence capability within NATO but also to accelerate the
technological transformation of its defense industry, further
solidifying its position as one of the alliance’s leading defense
manufacturing powers.