Turkiye’s Roketsan Aims for Top 10 Global Defence Exporter Amid Regional Conflicts

Turkiye has expanded its defence industry significantly, positioning itself as a major supplier in the global missile and rocket systems market amid ongoing conflicts in the Middle East and beyond. Central to this growth is Roketsan, established in 1988 to supply the Turkish Armed Forces. The company now exports to around 50 countries and is among the fastest-growing defence firms worldwide.

Roketsan currently ranks 71st globally and aims to reach the top 10 exporters.

Domestic Production and Investment Turkiye’s

defence expansion accelerated after Western embargoes limited its access to certain military technologies and components.

In 2020, the United States imposed sanctions under the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) targeting Turkiye’s military procurement agency and senior officials. Ankara was also removed from the F-35 stealth jet program in 2019 following its purchase of Russia’s S-400 missile defence system.

The European Union considered arms export restrictions related to regional disputes.

In response, Turkiye developed a domestic defence ecosystem with nearly 4,000 small and medium-sized enterprises contributing to a local production rate exceeding 90 percent. This shift has supported Turkiye’s defence exports, which reached $10 billion in 2025.

Recent investments include the inauguration of Europe’s largest warhead facility, a new research and development centre employing 1,000 engineers, a facility dedicated to rocket fuel technology, and infrastructure for mass production of ballistic and cruise missiles.

These projects represent a $1 billion investment, with plans to add $2 billion for expanding production capacity.

Adapting to Modern

Warfare Roketsan’s research and development employs 3,200 engineers, making it one of Turkiye’s largest R&D institutions.

The company’s strategy incorporates data from recent conflicts such as the Russia-Ukraine war and regional tensions involving Gaza, India, Pakistan, and US-Israeli actions against Iran. The company has developed air defence systems including "ALKA" and "BURC," as well as the "CIRIT" laser-guided missile, in response to evolving threats such as unmanned aerial vehicles and kamikaze drones.

In March 2026, NATO air defences intercepted three Iranian ballistic missiles that entered Turkish airspace, while Iranian-designed drones equipped with anti-jamming technology were reported to have struck a British base in Cyprus.

These developments illustrate Turkiye’s growing role in the global defence sector amid shifting regional security dynamics.