BY MEHMET KAYA
The defense industry exports increased by 34.2% to USD 647.3m in Q1 compared to the same period of the previous year, according to the Turkish Exporters Assembly (TIM). Defense exports stood at USD 482.2m in Q1 2020 due to the adverse impact of the pandemic.
Goods exports in the sector amounted to USD 2.7bn in 2019, according to TIM, while defense exports including goods and services totaled USD 3.06bn, according to the Defense and Aerospace Industry Manufacturers Association (SASAD).
Meanwhile, the Presidency of Defense Industries (SSB) estimates goods and services exports in the sector at USD 4bn for 2020 in its 2021 Performance Program. Accordingly, exports are projected to draw close this target due to real decline in exports. On the other hand, total exports target including goods and services has been set as USD 6.2bn for 2021. While the 2020 data to be released by SASAD enables more concrete estimations, defense exports point out an amount between USD 2.7bn to USD 3bn in Q1.
The SSB has set the country’s defense goods and services exports USD 10.2bn by 2023.
The country carried out 14 projects in 2019 and 3 projects in 2020 towards localization of critical and future technologies according to the SSB’s performance program report. Three projects are planned to be kicked off each year in the 2021-2023 period in critical technologies in which 100% localization target was set as well as in future technologies, which will form the battle concept of the future.
