Turkey's AI Military Tech Gains Global Attention

Turkey's defense and aerospace exports hit a record $5.5 billion in 2023, a 27.1% increase from the previous year, and are projected to reach over $7 billion in 2024. This growth is driven by major firms like Baykar, Turkish Aerospace Industries (TUSAŞ), and Aselsan, which are among the world's top 100 arms-producing companies. The industry now involves over 3,500 companies and has achieved an 80% indigenous production rate. A cornerstone of this strategy is the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy, which frames AI as a foundational element of defense modernization. The government's 2026 Presidential Annual Program identifies AI as a "breakthrough technology" and supports at least nine major AI-driven R&D projects through the Defense Industries Presidency (SSB). This initiative aims to centralize AI policy and create a sovereign national cloud to ensure sensitive data remains within Turkish borders. Key AI applications are being integrated into unmanned systems and advanced aircraft. Baykar's new Bayraktar TB2T-AI UCAV incorporates three AI computers for autonomous flight and visual navigation, enabling it to operate in electronic warfare conditions. Similarly, the 5th generation KAAN fighter jet, developed by TUSAŞ, features AI and heterogeneous computing support for superior air dominance and precision strikes. Companies like STM and HAVELSAN are also developing AI for drone swarms, GPS-denied navigation, and decision support systems. The Steel Dome's open architecture is designed for adaptability, allowing new technologies to be integrated without complete redesigns. AI is used to process sensor data in real-time, shifting the system from reactive to predictive defense. Aselsan, a key developer, is leveraging AI to expedite business processes, saving over $25 million annually, and is investing in a sovereign AI platform called HEZARFEN to democratize AI development across its departments. This focus on high-tech, dual-use systems is fostering a deeptech startup ecosystem. Venture capital funds like the Innovative and Advanced Technologies VCIF are specifically targeting tech companies with both commercial and defense applications. The government's YETEN project, an AI-driven defense industry database, helps prime contractors discover and integrate smaller, innovative firms into the supply chain, further strengthening the domestic ecosystem.