Defense Industry Policies

Defense industry is the collective industrial and technological activities that equip a state’s armed forces with modern systems and equipment to ensure national independence and security. The ability of states to sustain their sovereignty largely depends on the establishment and development of a self-reliant national defense industry. This sector not only enhances military capacity but also plays a critical role in achieving a country’s foreign policy objectives and determining its position within the international system. For countries such as Türkiye, which occupy a geographically strategic position and constantly face various risks and threats, the existence of a domestic and national defense industry is regarded as a fundamental requirement for strategic autonomy.

States meet their defense needs primarily through two methods: first, allocating necessary resources to establish and develop their own national defense industries; second, importing systems and equipment from advanced countries in this field. Countries that build their own industries gradually develop export potential and gain competitive advantages on the international stage, while countries dependent on imports face risks such as political pressure, embargoes, and delays in their supply chains. In this context, the defense industry is a multi-layered structure that affects not only a country’s military power but also its economic and technological development.

Historical Development of the Turkish Defense Industry

The development of the defense industry in Türkiye has passed through different phases since the founding of the Republic. Although some initiatives were undertaken in the early years of the Republic using limited resources inherited from the Ottoman era, these efforts failed to establish a sustainable structure. After World War II, Türkiye’s accession to NATO led to its defense needs being largely met through foreign aid and imports. This situation resulted in Türkiye becoming structurally dependent on external sources for defense.

The most significant turning point in breaking this dependency was the arms embargoes imposed on Türkiye following the 1974 Cyprus Peace Operation. These embargoes clearly demonstrated the strategic necessity of establishing a national defense industry and triggered domestic production efforts. In the post-operation period, the foundations of the domestic defense industry ecosystem were laid with the establishment of foundation companies such as ASELSAN, TUSAŞ, and HAVELSAN.

The 1980s marked a period of accelerated institutionalization in this field. The establishment in 1985 of the Directorate for the Development and Support of the Defense Industry (SAGEB), later renamed the Undersecretariat for Defense Industry and currently the Presidency of Defense Industries (SSB), is considered a milestone in ensuring centralized management of the sector and more effective execution of projects. This institution assumed a central role in planning, procurement, and coordination of defense industry projects.

The 2000s represented a transformative period in which the Turkish defense industry shifted its focus toward original design projects and technological depth. During this period, policies were adopted to move away from the licensed production model and toward the domestic design and production of critical systems and technologies. As a result of this strategy, the level of local content in the defense industry rose significantly over the past two decades, surpassing 70 percent. During this process, Türkiye transitioned from being merely a consumer in the international market to becoming a producer and exporter.

Relationship with Foreign Policy

The development of the Turkish defense industry has progressed in parallel with the expansion of Türkiye’s foreign policy interests and influence, creating a strong synergy between the two domains. This relationship has four key dimensions:

1. Core Component of National Power: A strong defense industry encompasses the two most important elements of national power: military and economic strength. The ability to produce weapon systems using original concepts and domestic capabilities enables rapid and effective enhancement of military capacity. This provides Türkiye with strategic autonomy, allowing it to implement its foreign and security policies independently of external pressures. Moreover, as a technology-intensive sector, it contributes to the development of a skilled workforce, the cultivation of a research and development culture, and a broader awareness of technological advancement.
2. Elimination of Risks in Foreign Procurement: Türkiye has frequently faced overt or covert arms embargoes and political pressure in the past on issues such as counterterrorism and relations with neighboring countries. The development of a domestic defense industry provides a safeguard against such external constraints. For example, political conditions during the F-16 procurement process or the attitudes displayed by some allies during counterterrorism operations in Syria highlighted the risks of external dependency. Systems produced with national capabilities reduce the impact of such political maneuvers and grant greater freedom of action in foreign policy.
3. Military and Defense Industry Cooperation: Türkiye’s ability to produce its own defense systems has opened a new dimension in its relations with friendly and allied countries. In recent years, an increasing number of military and defense industry cooperation agreements have been signed with other nations. These agreements cover areas such as joint exercises, training programs, interoperability, and defense exports, thereby enhancing mutual trust and deepening strategic partnerships. Through this, Türkiye has established military bases in some friendly countries and begun to exhibit military activism on a global scale.
4. Defense Diplomacy: The combat success of Turkish defense industry products, particularly unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), in conflict zones such as Syria, Libya, and Nagorno-Karabakh has generated significant international interest. This has enabled Türkiye to use its defense products not only as a military capability but also as a foreign policy instrument. The export of Turkish defense products to various countries strengthens Türkiye’s political, economic, and military ties with those nations and enhances its soft power through defense diplomacy. Furthermore, the interactions conducted during defense export processes lay the groundwork for high-level diplomatic talks, facilitate strategic dialogue, and increase Türkiye’s visibility and effectiveness on the international stage. Thus, the defense industry has emerged as a complementary tool to classical diplomatic instruments, serving the objectives of foreign policy.