“We will continue to increase our investments in the defense industry until we completely free our country from foreign dependence”, Erdoğan vowed in mid-2021.

Crisis Group

5 hours ago

Türkiye's Growing Drone Exports | Crisis Group

The companies that first benefited from the 2004 investments are among the top drone producers today. 

• By late 2023, Baykar employed more than 3,600 people and had become the top defense and aerospace exporter. 
• With its bolstered capacity, as of September 2022, it could produce over 200 TB2s per year. 
• At the close of 2023, Baykar said it had churned out over 500 TB2s. 
• Among other leading manufacturers, TAI-TUSAŞ and Lentatek also produce advanced MALE-type armed drones, while STM and Asisguard produce smaller “tactical” drones. 
• STM produces “suicide” drones designed to crash into a target and explode. Turkish firms also produce components for their counterparts: ASELSAN, a leading Turkish defence contractor, for example, has been helping equip TB2s with optical systems.

Pay and working conditions at drone manufacturing firms are good. An industry representative told Crisis Group that defence companies were recruiting “the best and brightest of this country” from universities. Türkiye’s “drone ecosystem”, in the words of the same representative, also consists of some 2,000 small- and medium-sized firms spread across the country making parts from screws to lasers. Some are independently successful enough to run their own export operations. In many of its contracts, according to the same industry representative, the state procurement agency stipulates that its drone producers pass on 60 to 80 per cent of the contract value to domestic subcontractors.

Gaining Clients, Expanding Influence
Countries around the world have long believed that arms sales will help them make and keep foreign alliances. Türkiye may well be thinking along similar lines, as Ankara increasingly flexes its muscles and looks to deepen its sway abroad. 

• Many officials have told Crisis Group that the Turkish government has sought in recent years to reposition the country as an influential mid-sized power in what they see as an increasingly multipolar world. 
• This aim can be served by diplomacy, humanitarian aid, business, trade and security-sector cooperation – including sales of military equipment, such as drones. . .

COMMENTARY / EUROPE & CENTRAL ASIA 20 DECEMBER 2023 19 MINUTES

Türkiye’s Growing Drone Exports

Low-cost and high-performing, Turkish-made armed drones are capturing an increasing share of the global market. This success comes with risks, including escalation of conflict and reputational damage, but there are several ways for Ankara to manage them.