Turkish Defence Exports Cross $2 Billion in 2018

Defence exports from Turkey exceeded $2 billion for the first time in 2018, an increase of 17% over the previous year.

According to Turkish Exporters Assembly (TİM) data, the exports carried out by the defense and aerospace industry soared by 24.9 percent year-on-year in December, reaching $253 million – the highest monthly export figure seen throughout the year.

The defence industry has been recording a steady rise over the years; exports stood at $1.2 billion in 2012, $1.3 billion in 2013, and $1.6 billion in 2014, 2015 and 2016.

The United States was the biggest importer of Turkish defense and aerospace products at $726 million last year, achieving a 5 percent rise. The U.S. was followed by Germany at $226 million with an 8 percent upsurge compared to the previous year.

Defense and aerospace industry exports to Oman, mainly combat vehicles, increased, up to $153 million last year from $13 million in 2017. Exports to Qatar went up by 241 percent, reaching $83 million. Also, exports to the Netherlands skyrocketed to $75 million with a 455 percent rise. Despite a 33 percent fall, India was one of the countries at the top of the list with an export of $71 million.

The export of Turkish defense and aerospace industry products to Azerbaijan surged by 86 percent, reaching $63 million followed by the U.K. at $53 million, Poland at $51 million France at $46 million the United Arab Emirates (UAE) at $35 million and Ukraine at $32 million.

Absent from the figures was exports to Pakistan which last year gave Turkey its single biggest order of 30 ATAK helicopters worth $1.5 billion.