Turkish defense companies signed nearly $8 billion in export contracts within the first three days of the SAHA 2026 International Defense and Aerospace Exhibition, according to senior industry officials, marking one of the strongest performances in the country’s defense export history.
The five-day exhibition, held at the Istanbul Expo Center and concluding on May 9, has been described as a major global platform for Türkiye’s rapidly expanding defense industry, bringing together nearly 1,763 companies from over 120 countries.
SAHA Istanbul Chairman Haluk Bayraktar said the early results represented a historic milestone. “At SAHA 2026, as a country, we achieved a historic record,” he said. “In the first three days of the fair, our companies signed nearly $8 billion in export contracts,” Bayraktar wrote on the social media platform X.
Erdoğan Highlights Global Demand for Turkish Defense Systems
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, speaking at the exhibition, said Türkiye’s defense sector has evolved into a globally trusted ecosystem with growing international demand.
He noted the scale of participation at the event, including 192 official delegations and 108 procurement delegations, adding that 203 newly developed products were unveiled for the first time.
“With 182 agreements signed at the fair, a total business volume of $8 billion was reached,” Erdoğan said, adding that $6 billion of the figure was export-oriented.
He also emphasized the sector’s strong performance in early 2026, reporting a 28% increase in defense and aviation exports during the first four months of the year, reaching $2.871 billion.
Türkiye’s Expanding Defense Export Power
Türkiye, a NATO member, has significantly expanded its defense industry over the past two decades, transitioning from reliance on foreign systems to becoming a major exporter of domestically produced defense technologies.
Officials say the country now exports more than 230 defense systems to 185 countries, reflecting its growing global footprint.
Defense exports rose approximately 48% year-on-year in 2025, surpassing $10 billion, with a government target of $11 billion to position Türkiye among the world’s top 10 defense exporters.
Contracts signed earlier this year already approached $7 billion in the first four months, underscoring sustained momentum in the sector.
Turkiye unveils first ICBM Yildirimhan at SAHA 2026
Turkiye has officially unveiled its first intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), named Yildirimhan (Turkish for “lightning”), at the defense expo. The full-scale model immediately drew international attention as one of the most significant Turkish defense announcements in recent years.
The program was introduced by Turkish Defense Minister Yasar Guler, who said the missile project had been under development for nearly a decade through the Ministry of National Defense’s research and development center.
Yildirimhan missile is designed to reach targets at distances of up to 6,000 kilometers, placing it within the internationally recognized range category of an intercontinental ballistic missile.
🇹🇷 Türkiye'nin milli füzesi "YILDIRIMHAN" SAHA 2026'da tanıtıldı
— Anadolu Ajansı (@anadoluajansi) May 5, 2026
Milli Savunma Bakanlığı AR-GE Merkezince geliştirilen YILDIRIMHAN'ın özellikleri:
➔ Hipersonik füze olma özelliği taşıyor
➔ Mach 9 ile 25 arasında değişen hızlara ulaşabiliyor
➔ Yakıt olarak sıvı nitrojen… pic.twitter.com/w3z7FbLr4z
The missile reportedly has a maximum speed of Mach 25, carries a payload capacity of 3,000 kilograms, and is powered by four rocket engines. Turkish officials said the missile uses liquid-fuel propulsion technology.
Cutting-Edge Technologies and New Systems Unveiled
SAHA 2026 also served as a major launchpad for next-generation defense technologies across land, air, sea, and space domains.
Leading defense companies including ASELSAN, Baykar, ROKETSAN, HAVELSAN, and STM introduced a wide range of advanced systems, including autonomous underwater vehicles, kamikaze drones, electronic warfare systems, and missile technologies.
Among the standout unveilings:
- ASELSAN introduced Türkiye’s first kamikaze autonomous underwater vehicle KILIC and unmanned surface vehicle TUFAN, alongside advanced electronic warfare and laser defense systems.
- Baykar showcased new unmanned aerial systems including the K2 Kamikaze UAV.
- STM introduced the long-range kamikaze UAV KUZGUN, with a range exceeding 1,000 kilometers.
- ROKETSAN unveiled new missile and counter-drone systems including NESTER and CIRIT Anti-UAV.
- HAVELSAN presented BARKAN 3, its upgraded unmanned ground vehicle system.
🔴Mavi Vatan’da Kamikaze Sualtı Aracı Dönemi!
— SavunmaSanayiST.com (@SavunmaSanayiST) May 9, 2026
ASELSAN KILIÇ Otonom Kamikaze Su Altı Aracı Ailesi, sualtı harp sahasında doğrudan hedef imhasına yönelik geliştirilen, tek kullanımlık ve düşük görünürlük profiline sahip bir sistem olarak konumlanıyor.
Yüksek patlayıcılı harp… pic.twitter.com/bBVpDEeZIM
The exhibition also featured innovations in robotics, submarine systems, armored vehicles, and AI-driven autonomous platforms, reflecting Türkiye’s growing technological depth in defense manufacturing.
Expanding International Cooperation and Strategic Agreements
Beyond product showcases, SAHA 2026 hosted dozens of high-value agreements spanning production, technology transfer, and joint development projects.
Key deals included:
- A memorandum of understanding between Sefine Shipyard and Canada-based Kraken Robotics on seabed warfare systems
- A framework agreement between Baykar and Indonesia’s PT Republik Aero Dirgantara for the Bayraktar KIZILELMA unmanned fighter aircraft
- Contracts involving Turkish Aerospace Industries, ROKETSAN, ASELSAN, and international partners on engines, missile systems, and satellite communications
- Cooperation agreements with countries including Indonesia, Spain, Azerbaijan, and Italy across multiple defense domains
Officials said these agreements reflect Türkiye’s growing role as a global defense partner, not only as a manufacturer but also as a technology collaborator.
SAHA Istanbul, which organizes the exhibition, is recognized as Europe’s largest defense, aviation, and space industry cluster, bringing together more than 1,300 member companies and 30 universities.
The platform continues to play a central role in Türkiye’s defense industrial expansion, facilitating both domestic collaboration and international partnerships.