Turkey's defense industry exports will "easily" exceed $8 billion in 2025, Trade Minister Ömer Bolat said.

This will be a new record for deliveries, which have tripled in just four years, Daily Sabah reported.

Bolat made the statement during the International Defense Industry Fair (IDEF) 2025 in Istanbul, described as one of the most prestigious and impressive exhibitions in Turkey's history, which has already become a global brand.

He said it reflects the level of development Turkey has achieved in the defense industry.

Past restrictions and embargoes have prompted Turkey to develop a number of local air, land, and sea platforms, which has ultimately helped it secure export deals worth billions of dollars in recent years.

Localization efforts have helped increase the share of domestic production in the defense industry to over 80%, compared to just 20% at the beginning of the century.

Turkey's defense and aviation exports reached a record high of nearly $7.2 billion last year, up nearly 30% from the previous year. The figure is more than three times higher than the $2.28 billion in 2020.

"We continue to make progress every year with increasing momentum. In the first six months of this year alone, we have already exceeded $3.5 billion, and sales are accelerating in the second half and towards the end of the quarter.With God's help, we will easily exceed $8 billion this year. The defense industry contributes significantly to Turkey's success in the field of exports," Bolat said.

The minister explained that the defense industry, through the ecosystem it has created, adds significant value to the entire industry.

The industry employs over 3,500 companies with 100,000 skilled workers.

"We are talking about an annual production value of $20 billion in the defense industry, and we have a strong defense industry that exports products to over 100 countries around the world," he said.

Bolat pointed out that the defense industry will continue to develop, emphasizing that Turkey is already among the strongest defense industrial countries in the Eurasian region.

"Countries in Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and even Europe, including South America, use products from the Turkish defense industry," he noted.

The minister stressed that this is not just an economic activity or an effort to earn foreign currency through exports.

"While extremely important from an economic and export perspective, the defense industry is also a guarantor of our independence. In recent years, we have witnessed intense wars, battles, and conflicts to the north, south, east, and west of us. Against this backdrop, Turkey continues to develop as a pillar of stability, an island of peace," he said.

Bolat attributed this to "a strong army, a strong economy, a strong defense industry, strong leadership, and strong governance."

"When you hesitate or face internal conflicts and instability, progress stops and, unfortunately, regression begins. Over the past 20 years, Turkey has been steadily progressing and developing, maintaining its rise and shining like a star in the Eurasian region," he added. | BGNES