The Social Face of Türkiye’s Defense Industry

The DEFENSE INDUSTRY IS OFTEN ASSOCIATED WITH CONCEPTS of “deterrence” and “power projection”; however, this ecosystem simultaneously generates public value by saving lives during disasters, alleviating pressure on healthcare systems, accelerating environmental management, and expanding education and R&D capacity. This field—known in the literature as “dual-use technology,” where the same hardware or software serves both military and civilian purposes—has matured in Türkiye particularly since the 2010s. Today, indigenous solutions ranging from unmanned systems (UAVs/UCAVs) to satellite and remote sensing technologies, from biomedical devices to fire-rescue platforms, are weaving a social infrastructure that addresses the concrete needs of “peacetime.” This transformation also has foreign policy dimensions. The Washington, D.C.-based Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD), in its March 15, 2025 study titled “Is Türkiye Playing Both Sides of Sudan’s Civil War?”, examines Baykar’s UAV/UCAV sales to the Sudanese army and notes that Türkiye’s defense exports have transcended mere “product” trade to generate influence over political equations with open files.

The defense industry is traditionally defined by concepts like deterrence and power projection, evoking images of military might. However, a parallel and equally vital narrative is emerging from this high-tech ecosystem: its capacity to generate profound public value. This social dimension manifests in saving lives during natural disasters, bolstering national healthcare systems, pioneering environmental management, and expanding educational and research capabilities. At the heart of this transformation lies the principle of dual-use technology, where a single piece of hardware or software is engineered to serve both military and civilian needs. In Türkiye, this field has reached a significant level of maturity, particularly since the 2010s, evolving into a cornerstone of national resilience.

Today, a comprehensive portfolio of indigenous solutions—from Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) to advanced satellite and remote sensing technologies, and from sophisticated biomedical devices to specialized fire-rescue platforms—is weaving a robust social infrastructure. These technologies are no longer confined to hypothetical conflict scenarios; they are actively addressing the tangible, everyday needs of society in “peacetime.” This evolution also carries significant foreign policy implications. As noted by the Washington, D.C.-based Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD) in its March 15, 2025 study, Türkiye’s defense exports, such as UAVs, have transcended mere product sales to become instruments of influence in complex geopolitical equations. This growing industrial capacity is underscored by impressive economic data: Türkiye’s defense and aerospace exports hit a record $7.1 billion in 2024, with July 2025 marking a historic single-month high of $989.6 million. According to Defense Industry President Prof. Dr. Haluk Görgün, this scale has created a vast network spanning over 180 countries, solidifying Türkiye’s role as a key player on the global stage.

A Global Legacy: From ARPANET to Modern Integrated Systems

The practice of transferring military research and development into the civilian domain is a well-established global phenomenon. Landmark innovations that now define modern life, including the internet (originally ARPANET), GPS, fiber optics, and the Kevlar used in ballistic protection, all originated from security-focused defense projects. These historical examples demonstrated how technologies developed for national security could be scaled to deliver monumental societal benefits. Today, this paradigm is being redefined and accelerated by advancements in robotics, space technologies, and biomedical engineering. NATO’s strategic framework on “emerging and disruptive technologies (EDT)” signals that this civilian-military integration is set to deepen significantly toward the 2030s, particularly in fields like artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, and biotechnology.

This trend is observable worldwide. For instance, the Next-Generation Incident Command System (NICS), developed at the MIT Lincoln Laboratory, began as a tool for tactical military command-and-control but has since evolved into a life-saving situational awareness platform used in forest fires and health crises. Similarly, Israel’s “Red Alert” civilian early warning system leverages technological infrastructure derived from its air defense architecture. In Europe, the modular design of Germany’s Boxer armored vehicle allows it to be reconfigured for ambulance and humanitarian aid missions. These examples affirm that the synergy between defense and social utility is a universal trend, and Türkiye has firmly positioned itself as an integral part of this global movement.

Forged in Crisis: Field Intelligence in Disaster and Emergency Response

The critical value of dual-use defense technology was tragically but powerfully demonstrated during the devastating February 6, 2023 earthquakes in Türkiye. In the immediate aftermath, Bayraktar TB2 and AKINCI platforms were deployed for vital search-and-rescue, damage assessment, and logistical coordination missions. According to data released by Baykar, these unmanned systems logged over 2,400 flight hours. The TB2s, equipped with Rapid Mapping Pods, generated high-resolution imagery that was transmitted in real-time to crisis management centers, representing a landmark transfer of military-grade sensor packages to a disaster environment.

The response was not limited to aerial surveillance. Through-Wall Radar (TWR) devices, typically used in counter-terrorism and hostage rescue operations to detect micro-movements and breathing, were deployed in collapsed debris fields across Hatay to search for signs of life. Furthermore, military-origin Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) robots and agile, snake-like micro-mechatronic solutions were used to navigate and inspect otherwise inaccessible spaces, providing crucial situational awareness to rescue teams on the ground. This application extends beyond seismic events; since 2020, Türkiye’s General Directorate of Forestry has standardized the use of UAV imagery for early warning and real-time command-and-control in wildfire management. This capability has dramatically improved the speed and accuracy with which fire origins and spread dynamics can be identified and addressed.

The Sentinel of Health:

From Pandemic Response to Medical Innovation

The COVID-19 pandemic presented another critical test, highlighting the defense sector’s role in public health security. During the initial, most acute phase of the crisis, leading defense firms including Baykar, ASELSAN, HAVELSAN, and TUSAŞ mobilized their engineering, procurement, and production capabilities to support the mass production of the indigenous BIOSYS Biyovent ventilator. The rapid manufacturing of thousands of these life-saving devices, many of which were donated or supplied to friendly nations, showcased Türkiye’s capacity for impactful humanitarian diplomacy.

This emergency response has since catalyzed the development of a permanent and sophisticated healthcare technologies portfolio. Building on its deep expertise in electro-optics and power electronics, ASELSAN has successfully transitioned its indigenous MRI prototype to the human imaging phase in 2022. This defense-to-healthcare pipeline is now yielding a family of medical products, including mobile X-ray machines and bedside monitors. This strategic crossover not only helps reduce national healthcare costs and dependence on foreign suppliers but also creates a secure, indigenous supply chain for critical medical equipment, thereby enhancing national resilience against future health crises.

Expanding the Ecosystem: From Space and Aviation to Software and Ground Systems

Türkiye’s dual-use strategy extends across all operational domains. In space, the GÖKTÜRK-2 satellite provided invaluable imagery for military reconnaissance as well as for civilian applications like disaster monitoring, urban planning, and agricultural management. This experience laid the groundwork for more advanced projects, including the sub-meter resolution İMECE observation satellite and the indigenous TÜRKSAT 6A communications satellite. Launched in July 2024, TÜRKSAT 6A propelled Türkiye into the elite group of nations capable of producing their own communication satellites, unlocking a wide array of civilian services from telemedicine in field hospitals to remote educational broadcasting. In aviation, the TUSAŞ T625 GÖKBEY helicopter was designed from the outset with modularity in mind, featuring configurations for VIP transport, cargo, medical evacuation (MEDEVAC), and search-and-rescue (SAR). Its spacious cabin and robust performance in challenging conditions make it an ideal platform for humanitarian missions. On the ground, specialized vehicles born from defense engineering are enhancing safety. Volkan’s LION-class airport rescue and firefighting (ARFF) vehicles are ensuring runway safety in numerous countries, while ambulance configurations of the BMC KİRPİ armored vehicle provide secure casualty evacuation from hazardous environments. In the digital realm, AI-powered command-and-control software developed by firms like HAVELSAN is being adapted for civilian uses, such as optimizing port logistics and managing maritime traffic, turning defense software into a tool for societal benefit.

The Path Forward: Diplomacy, Ethics, and a Vision for 2030

Türkiye’s approach to defense exports is increasingly focused on building long-term strategic partnerships rather than simple transactional sales. This strategy, termed “drone diplomacy” by analysts at the Atlantic Council, involves packages that include joint production, technology transfer, and local industrialization support. The Pakistan MİLGEM project, where corvettes were built in both Istanbul and Karachi, and the landmark AKINCI agreement with Saudi Arabia, which includes local production clauses aligned with its Vision 2030 goals, are prime examples. This model fosters sustainable relationships and builds institutional capacity in partner nations. It also creates a powerful “reverse brain drain” effect, attracting talented Turkish engineers back from overseas and inspiring a new generation toward science through initiatives like TEKNOFEST.

However, the proliferation of dual-use systems necessitates a robust ethical and legal framework. Allegations of civilian casualties in certain conflict zones highlight the urgent need for transparent end-use monitoring, independent auditing, and comprehensive human rights impact assessments. For the 2025–2030 period, the roadmap must prioritize institutionalizing AI-supported prediction systems for disasters, achieving economies of scale in indigenous medical device production, and embedding humanitarian use protocols in all export agreements. By strengthening its commitment to international norms, transparency, and multi-stakeholder engagement, Türkiye can ensure the sustainable success of its defense sector. Ultimately, the industry is evolving beyond a “sword-and-shield” into a multifaceted instrument of national well-being—a helping hand in disasters, a source of life-saving medical technology, and a pillar of a more resilient and secure society.