Alhurra: Turkish arms industry now challenging Russia and China

U.S.-based Alhurra reports that Türkiye’s defense industry has become a competitor to Russia and China, noting that Türkiye ranks as the world’s 11th-largest arms exporter and accounts for about 65% of armed-drone sales by the United States, China and Türkiye since 2018.

The U.S.-based outlet Alhurra reported that Türkiye’s defense industry has become a rival to Russia and China in global arms markets, as declining Russian exports and intensifying competition open room for Ankara in markets long dominated by established suppliers.

According to the report, Türkiye ranked as the world’s 11th-largest arms exporter and doubled its share of global exports, while its export volume rose 122% and Russia’s fell 64%. The report says drones lead Türkiye’s growing defense exports.

Bayraktar Kızılelma (file photo)

Drones at the forefront

A Center for a New American Security estimate cited in the debate puts Türkiye’s share of global armed drone exports at about 65% among sales by the United States, China and Türkiye since 2018. Baykar, maker of the Bayraktar TB2 and Akıncı, accounts for the bulk of those exports.