Turkey’s defense industry is leaning into autonomy and targeting Gulf markets
Middle East Bureau Chief Agnes Helou shares what she learned at Turkey's SAHA defense expo.
Middle East Bureau Chief Agnes Helou shares what she learned at Turkey's SAHA defense expo.
“The initial sale was made for the first batch of 20 Block 10 aircraft. This is the first order. Over time, we expect the numbers to increase,” Turkish Aerospace CEO Mehmet Demiroglu told Breaking Defense.
The Turkish defense firm also revealed an AI-enabled combat management system, part of what an exec said was an effort to integrate AI into the company's "digital troops concept."
The ICBM would add a "crucial layer of deterrence" to Turkey's military arsenal, a defense analyst told Breaking Defense.
Two naval vessels and three aerial systems, all from Turkish firms, were shown to the public on the first day of the Turkish exposition.
"SAHA has evolved from a national showcase into a genuine global meeting point for the defense and aerospace industry, and the 2026 edition will reflect this maturity," one expert said.