Türkiye’s Defense, Aviation Exports Reach $7.445 Billion in 11 Months: President Erdogan

Ankara, The Gulf Observer: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Saturday that Türkiye’s defense and aviation exports reached $7.445 billion in the first 11 months of the year, marking a 30 percent increase compared to the same period last year.

Speaking at the Commissioning of Naval Platforms Ceremony, President Erdogan said the strong export performance underscores the rapid growth of the country’s defense industry. “In the last 11 months, our defense and aviation exports increased by 30 percent compared to the same period last year, reaching $7.445 billion,” he said.

Erdogan noted that Türkiye currently ranks as the world’s 11th largest defense exporter and aims to enter the top 10 globally by 2028, with an export target of $11 billion in defense and aviation products.

The president emphasized that Türkiye’s defense industry projects are designed not only to develop advanced products but also to strengthen the broader industrial ecosystem and technological capacity. “In every project we carry out in the field of the defense industry, we aim not only to develop products but also to expand the ecosystem and our capacity to produce technology,” he said.

Highlighting Türkiye’s naval capabilities, Erdogan stated that the country is among the 10 nations worldwide capable of developing and launching its own warships. He added that construction has begun on a 300-meter-long aircraft carrier, which he described as the “elder brother” of the TCG Anadolu.

President Erdogan further stressed that additional projects will be commissioned to enhance deterrence across land, sea, air, and cyberspace, noting that all stages—from research and development to mass production—are carried out using domestic and national resources.

He underlined that the investments are not intended to prepare for war. “All these investments we have implemented are not to prepare for war, but to protect peace, independence, and our future,” he said.

Türkiye–Pakistan Naval Cooperation

During the ceremony, President Erdogan also welcomed Pakistani guests, highlighting the longstanding friendship between Türkiye and Pakistan rooted in shared history. He said bilateral ties would continue to grow stronger in the coming years.

Recalling a contract signed in September 2018 for the construction of four MİLGEM corvettes for the Pakistan Navy, Erdogan noted that the first vessel, PNS Babur, was delivered on May 24, 2024.

“Today, we are delivering PNS Khaibar, which has successfully completed all testing and trial activities,” he said. He added that the third ship, PNS Bedir, is planned for delivery by the end of June 2026, while the fourth vessel, PNS Tarik, is scheduled to be delivered in the first quarter of 2027.

“I wish these state-of-the-art vessels to be beneficial for the brotherly Pakistan Navy,” President Erdogan said.