• Land Warfare

  World Defense Show 2026: Turkish and European industries will cooperate, says Aselsan boss

  11th February 2026

  Aselsan was formed 50 years ago in response to difficulties Turkey was facing in sourcing major systems internationally. While some challenges still remain, company president Ahmet Akyol believes a rapprochement is possible.

• Air Warfare

  How geopolitics and new military alliances are disrupting combat aircraft procurement

  8th September 2026

  Selection of fighter aircraft by national governments has always been political. As markets and allegiances shift against a background of global realignment, who will be the winners and losers as new entrants compete with established suppliers?

• Air Warfare

  Iran war exposes the limits of US military mass

  1st September 2026

  As the Straits of Hormuz continue to witness military action of various types, what does this mean for combat air and air defence planners in the region and beyond?

• Air Warfare

  Indonesia strengthens Turkish defence ties with Kizilelma drone order

  11th May 2026

  Indonesia’s purchase of 12 drones with options for an additional 48 is the third deal in as many years between Indonesian and Turkish defence industries, bolstering the former’s plans to strengthen its own domestic production and defence industry.

• Naval Warfare

  Israeli Navy looks to expand as war reshapes future force requirements

  29th September 2026

  Israel’s navy is preparing for a larger and more technically diverse role, but its ambitions could be impacted by supply chain restrictions, accelerating demand for domestic naval production as well as autonomous maritime capabilities.

• Air Warfare

  Bayraktar TB2: The $4.11 billion market success of a cost-effective MALE UAV

  22nd January 2026

  The success of the Bayraktar TB2 stems from it fulfilling a niche of providing reasonable capabilities at a low cost, leading to its acquisition by more than 30 countries including many in Africa; but there are reasons to be cautious about its potential future prospects.

• Naval Warfare

  Turkey targets Italian market with strategic partnership on USVs and hybrid platforms

  19th February 2026

  Havelsan, VN Maritime and Piloda Defence will collaborate to develop and integrate a range of maritime solutions with a view to secure a first procurement contract in Italy in the first half of this year.

• Air Warfare

  How India’s FCAS ambitions could reshape its combat-air roadmap

  20th August 2026

  Participation in the French-led programme could provide India with access to sixth-generation technologies but force difficult choices over AMCA, TEDBF and indigenous propulsion development.

• Air Warfare

  Middle Eastern demand opens fresh export prospects for Lockheed Martin’s F-35 fighter jet

  9th October 2026

  A proposed Saudi Arabian purchase of 48 stealth fighters could signal a broader regional opportunity for the F-35 as European programmes mature.

• Air Warfare

  NATO’s GlobalEye selection reflects a move towards greater European defence autonomy

  8th July 2026

  The joint acquisition of Saab’s GlobalEye AEW&C aircraft by 11 allies marks the end of NATO’s more than four-decade reliance on a US-built airborne early warning platform.

• Air Warfare

  Turkey finalises $7.2 billion deal with UK for 20 Eurofighter Typhoon jets

  28th October 2025

  The deal will include a weapons package alongside the aircraft, with deliveries expected from 2030.

• Air Warfare

  British Army’s Project Corvus selection highlights new era of drone sovereignty

  28th July 2026

  The UK’s choice of the Tekever AR5 for Project Corvus reflects a wider shift in military drone procurement towards solutions that centre on sovereignty and domestic production, moving away from overseas reliance.

• Air Warfare

  Saudi Arabia air focus: The world’s fourth-largest UAV market seeks to strengthen domestic industry

  17th February 2026

  With $9.18 billion in uncontracted programmes — including a potential multi-billion-dollar MQ-9B deal — Saudi Arabia’s UAV sector is poised for significant further growth and industrial expansion.

• Land Warfare

  SAHA 2026: Armour, artillery and autonomous systems on display

  12th May 2026

  The array of platforms on display at SAHA 2026 showcased the diversity of equipment now provided by the Turkish defence industry.

• Air Warfare

  Could the Middle East be the next target for the F-35A?

  17th November 2025

  The Pentagon has indicated a growing willingness to export advanced US defence technology to nations in the Middle East – excluding Israel – resulting in new and resumed talks with Saudi Arabia and Turkey respectively.

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Military UAS - MALE

  Akinci [Libya]

  Programme Background 2022 Reports In October 2022, various Libyan media outlets reported that the country was eyeing a possible procurement from Baykar, possibly the Akinici ...

• Military UAS - MALE

  Bayraktar TB2 [Libya]

  Programme Background Acquired & Lost In 2019 and 2020, the Government of National Accord (GNA) used TB2 units against the Libyanian National Army (LNA). Al Marsad ...

• Military UAS - MALE

  MQ-9A Reaper (7-8) [Italy]

  Background Initial purchases (1-6) The Italian Air Force acquired four MQ-9A Reapers in the Block 1 standard in 2008. A further two UAVs were acquired ...

• ISR/special mission

  C-208B ISR [Tunisia]

  Programme Background Requirement The acquisition of the C-208B Grand Caravan EX aircraft is part of Tunisia’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its ISR capabilities in response ...

• Fighter - multirole

  F-35A [Turkey]

  Background Programme involvement Turkish involvement in the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter programme began in the early 2000s, with the country's participation beginning in the concept demonstration ...

• Transport/tanker aircraft

  A330 MRTT (1-9) [NATO]

  Programme Background Following operations in Libya and extensive analyses by the European Defence Agency (EDA), it was agreed at the NATO Summit in 2012 that ...

• ISR/special mission

  MC-27J [Algeria]

  Programme Background Algeria has a long standing ISR aircraft requirement to support its Beech 1900 fleet comprised of six aircraft. The new ISR fleet is ...

• Transport/tanker aircraft

  A330 MRTT Follow-On [NATO]

  Programme Background Following operations in Libya and extensive analyses by the European Defence Agency (EDA), it was agreed at the NATO Summit in 2012 that ...

• Landing platform docks/dock landing ships

  LPD replacements [Turkey]

  Background Turkey currently operates 5 LSTs, two Bayraktar-class, two Sarucabey-class and one Osmangazi-class. Defence Insight has identified that the Sarucabey-class LSTs are expected begin to ...

• Submarines: nuclear/attack

  Nukden SSN [Turkey]

  Background Requirements Turkey aims to procure SSNs to support its foreign policy aim to grow as a global power and increase its deterrence against regional ...

• Submarines: conventional/attack

  Reis Class (1-6) [Turkey]

  Background Turkey is taking delivery of six Reis-class Type 214TN diesel-electric attack (SSK) submarines from German shipbuilder ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS). The new boats are ...

• Trainer

  Hurjet (1-17) [Turkey]

  Background Platform development The Turkish Executive Committee of Defence Industry (SSIK) has officially given the green light to mass production of the Hürjet trainer and ...

• Transport/tanker aircraft

  A400M [Turkey]

  Background OCCAR The Turkish A400M order was placed through the organisation for joint armament and cooperation (OCCAR), a six nation development and production programme. OCCAR's ...

• Amphibious assault ships

  TCG Anadolu LHD [Turkey]

  Background TCG Anadolu is a Multipurpose Assault Ship (LHD) built by Sedef in Tuzla for the Turkish Navy. The vessel, which is the single largest ...

• Fighter - multirole

  F-16V [Turkey]

  Background Requirement Turkish Air Force ordered 100 F-35A aircraft as a partner nation, however, the country was removed from the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter programme in ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Military UAS - mini

  Bayraktar Mini

  The Bayraktar Mini UAS is used for short-range ISR applications and can be deployed in harsh environments. It is hand-launched and is powered by an ...

• Self-propelled guns

  Firtina

  The Fırtına 155mm/52cal tracked SPH is a Turkish-built version of the Samsung Techwin (now Hanwha) K9 Thunder. Production began in 2001, and it is estimated that more ...

• Trainer

  SF-260

  The SF-260 is a piston-engined or turboprop-powered screener/primary trainer that made its first flight in July 1964. It is a single-engine, low-mounted, cantilever-wing aircraft with ...

• APCs/IFVs - tracked

  ACV-15

  The Armoured Combat Vehicle (ACV) is the generic designation for a tracked, diesel engine powered, heavy armoured platform in the 13-15 tons class, capable of ...

• Fighter - ground attack

  Su-24

  The Su-24 (NATO reporting name Fencer) is a fighter-bomber aircraft designed to meet Soviet Air Force requirements to replace the Yak-28. Its variants include tactical ...

• MPVs - 4x4

  Kirpi I/Kirpi II

  The Turkish Land Forces Command (TLFC) selected BMC's 350-16 Z Kirpi (Hedgehog) 4x4 MRAP vehicle to meet its requirements following a competitive evaluation and ordered ...

• APCs/IFVs - 6x6, MPVs - 4x4

  Jais MRAP

  The Jais 4x4 and 6x6 are Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles from the UAE's NIMR. Formally known as both the RG35 and N35, the Jais ...

• Loitering munitions, Military UAS - mini

  Kargu

  The Kargu, or Kargu-2, is a quadcopter loitering munition and UAS manufactured by Turkish company STM. The platform is designed for asymmetric warfare or anti-terrorist ...

• Air-to-surface missiles, Surface-to-surface missiles

  Brimstone

  MBDA developed the Brimstone missile to provide an air-to-surface missile to equip UK RAF Tornados. The Dual Mode Brimstone (DMB) semi-active laser and the millimetre-wave, ...

• Fighter - air superiority

  F-5A/B Freedom Fighter

  The F-5A (single-seat)/B (twin-seat) is a supersonic fighter aircraft developed by Northrop originally to meet the USN's requirement for a light jet to operate from ...

• Main battle tanks

  Upgraded M60

  IMI's Upgraded M60, originally known as the Sabra, is rooted in the company's experience upgrading M48 and M60 MBTs to the Magach standard for the Israel ...

• MPVs - 4x4

  Vuran

  A prototype of the Vuran 4x4 multipurpose armoured vehicle was first exhibited in 2009, but the design continued to evolve until 2018 when the production ...

• Naval: COMINT and ELINT systems

  ARES 2-NC Compact ESM System

  The Aselsan ARES 2-NC Naval Platform Compact ESM System has been designed specifically for attack boats. Offering the capabilities of detection, interception, classification and tracking of ...

• Self-propelled guns

  Attila

  The Attila is a wheeled 155mm self-propelled howitzer (SPH) developed by MKE. Unveiled at SAHA 2026, the Attila is intended to provide Turkey with a ...

• Fast attack/patrol craft and interceptors

  Multi Role Tactical Platform (MRTP) 16

  The Multi Role Tactical Platform (MRTP) 16 is an interceptor craft designed by Yonca Onuk JV. A number of units are currently on active duty ...