Turkish Defense Tech Showcases AI and Robotics Advances

- Turkey's defense and aerospace exports surged to a record $7.2 billion in 2024, a 29% increase from $5.5 billion in 2023, with drone-maker Baykar leading as the top exporter with $1.8 billion in revenue. The sector now exports more than 230 different products to approximately 185 countries, reflecting a significant expansion of its global market reach. - The new Baykar KEMANKEŞ 2 is an AI-assisted mini cruise missile with an operational range of over 150 kilometers, a flight endurance of about 30 minutes, and a 20 kg payload capacity. Its AI-supported optical guidance and autopilot systems enable autonomous flight and precision targeting in adverse weather and GPS-denied environments. - The Roketsan-SAMI partnership goes beyond production to include joint research and development for intelligent cruise missiles, aiming to localize technological expertise within Saudi Arabia. This deal is part of a broader strategic agreement with Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Investment (MISA) to integrate local suppliers into the global defense supply chain. - The GÖKKURT intelligent munitions family, developed by ASTECH DEFENSE, includes three variants with ranges of 20, 40, and 80 kilometers, featuring modular guidance heads and warheads for use against both stationary and moving targets. These systems can be launched from drones and combat aircraft and support "fire-and-forget" as well as "man-in-the-loop" capabilities for in-flight retargeting. - The Turkish deeptech startup ecosystem consists of 653 companies that have collectively raised over $1.31 billion in venture capital. Of these, 117 are funded, and 24 have reached Series A or later stages, indicating a maturing landscape for deeptech commercialization. - Outside of defense, Turkish AI startups are attracting significant international capital; AI-native marketing platform Insider raised a $500 million Series E round, and Fal.ai, a developer platform for AI-generated media, secured $49 million in a Series B round led by investors like Andreessen Horowitz. - Turkish industrial robotics firm Intecro Robotics is implementing automated production lines for major defense contractors, including Roketsan and Aselsan, for the high-precision manufacturing of ammunition, rockets, and high-strength armor. The company is developing "self-programming" robots that use machine intelligence to learn and perform tasks autonomously. - Technologies developed for defense are seeing increased "dual-use" applications in civilian sectors. Innovations in drones, AI, and autonomous systems are being adapted for agricultural modernization, including precision spraying, fertilization, and crop assessment, to enhance productivity and address climate change challenges.