The Turkish defense industry is entering a critical transition period in 2025–2026, with major milestones approaching in the GÖKBEY general-purpose helicopter, HÜRJET jet trainer and light attack aircraft, and KAAN fifth-generation fighter jet programs.
As serial production, certification, first flight, and engine development phases advance in parallel, Türkiye’s domestically developed air platforms are moving from development into operational deployment and export-driven growth.
Speaking at a press conference titled “2025 Achievements and 2026 Targets”, held during the 5th Global Strategies in Defense and Aerospace Industry Conference, Presidential Defense Industries Chairman Haluk Görgün outlined the sector’s near-term roadmap alongside senior industry executives.
TUSAŞ: Key milestones for GÖKBEY, HÜRJET and KAAN
Mehmet Demiroğlu, General Manager of Turkish Aerospace Industries (TUSAŞ), said civil certification for the GÖKBEY helicopter is expected within the next few months.
Demiroğlu noted that serial production contracts have been signed for 83 GÖKBEY helicopters, with the fifth unit already delivered. TUSAŞ plans to deliver one helicopter per month in 2025 and two per month in 2026.
Describing 2025 as a “golden year” for the company, Demiroğlu said performance is expected to improve further in 2026 and 2027. He confirmed that 22 HÜRKUŞ aircraft will be delivered this year, while the HÜRJET Block 0 aircraft is scheduled to make its first flight in May–June 2026.
Test flights of the KAAN prototype are expected to begin by the end of April. Demiroğlu added that TUSAŞ exports have surpassed $1 billion, with a $1.5 billion export target for 2025.
ROKETSAN: Serial production and expanding exports
ROKETSAN General Manager Murat İkinci said the company contributed $750 million to defense exports, after doubling its order backlog last year and recording growth exceeding 50%.
İkinci stated that deliveries of newly serial-produced systems will begin this year, adding that ROKETSAN products are now in service in more than 40 countries, with strong demand across the Middle East, Africa, Asia-Pacific and Europe.
HAVELSAN: Gulf projects nearing completion
HAVELSAN General Manager Mehmet Akif Nacar said the company closed last year with revenue exceeding $500 million.
Nacar noted that new investments in simulation integration and assembly capacity are planned for 2025, with the aim of converting business development efforts from 2024–2025 into revenue. Several projects in the Gulf region are approaching contract finalization, he said, with field activities set to expand in 2026.
ASFAT: Entry into European naval markets
ASFAT General Manager Mustafa İlbaş said a contract signed with Romania enabled the export of a warship to a NATO and European Union member, opening new opportunities in the European market.
İlbaş confirmed that the first 8×8 T-155 Tactical Wheeled Panther Howitzer has been delivered, with three more scheduled for February and the remaining 36 units to be delivered in three batches by year-end. He added that contracts signed in 2025 equal nearly twice the total value of agreements concluded over the previous seven years.
TEI: KAAN engine reaches critical design phase
Mahmut Akşit, General Manager of TUSAŞ Engine Industries (TEI), said company revenues have approached $700 million, with exports accounting for nearly $500 million.
Akşit said TEI won an aircraft engine maintenance tender for the Chilean Air Force, completed the 100th delivery of the T700 engine, and inducted the PD170 and PD200 engines into service on the AKSUNGUR UAV and Bayraktar TB3.
He confirmed that the TS1400 engine has entered serial production, with the first fully certified engine completed on January 3. Ground testing will begin using this unit.
Akşit added that the KAAN engine has reached the Critical Design Review (CDR) stage, marking the final design milestone before flight testing.
STM, ASELSAN and MKE: Capacity expansion accelerates
STM General Manager Özgür Güleryüz said the company is prioritizing product diversification in 2025, aiming to accelerate the number of systems entering service. Tactical UAV exports have exceeded 15 countries, while unmanned underwater vehicle sea trials are nearing completion.
Güleryüz said construction of the National Attack Boat has begun, while work continues on seven I-class frigates under the TAIS partnership. STM is also contributing to Preveze- and Gür-class submarine modernizations and the Reis-class submarine construction program.
He added that corvette projects for Ukraine, the Malaysia LMS Batch-2 program, submarine modernization in Pakistan, and the NRE+/AOR+ naval project for Portugal are progressing simultaneously.
ASELSAN Deputy General Manager Özgür Taylan Sarı said the company recorded nearly $1 billion in exports last year and signed contracts worth more than $2 billion with 58 countries, adding that deliveries under the ÇELİKKUBBE air defense project will continue.
MKE Deputy General Manager Ümit Kıyak said nearly $1 billion has been invested over the past two years. Artillery ammunition capacity is set to reach 1 million units annually by 2028, while a new facility capable of producing 15,000 aircraft bombs per year will be established in Samsun Çarşamba.
