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SAHA Expo 2026 concluded in Istanbul on May 9, 2026, after delivering a record-breaking business volume of nearly $8 billion, underscoring Turkiye’s growing influence in the global defense market and highlighting the rapid evolution of its indigenous military-industrial ecosystem.

Held at the Istanbul Expo Center from May 5-9, the fifth edition of the International Defense, Aerospace and Space Industry Exhibition brought together more than 1,700 companies, including roughly 1,500 Turkish firms and over 260 international participants.

Held at the Istanbul Expo Center from May 5-9, the fifth edition of the International Defense, Aerospace and Space Industry Exhibition brought together more than 1,700 companies, including roughly 1,500 Turkish firms and over 260 international participants.

Organizers said the expo hosted 192 official delegations from more than 76 countries, along with hundreds of procurement officials and thousands of business-to-business meetings.

The event marked Turkiye’s largest and most commercially successful defense exhibition to date, surpassing the approximately $6.2 billion business volume generated during SAHA Expo 2024.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan described the exhibition as a milestone for Turkiye’s defense ambitions and said the country’s defense industry had become a globally recognized ecosystem.

“With 182 agreements signed at the fair, a total business volume of $8 billion was reached,” Erdogan said during the closing ceremony. “The Turkish defense industry has evolved into a sought-after and preferred ecosystem on a global scale.”

According to Turkish officials, approximately $6 billion of the overall volume consisted of export-oriented agreements, reflecting growing international demand for Turkish-made drones, air defense systems, precision munitions, naval platforms, and electronic warfare technologies.

Major Export Deals Drive Momentum

One of the most closely watched developments at the expo was the announcement of the first international export agreement for the Bayraktar Kizilelma unmanned combat aerial vehicle.

Turkish defense firm Baykar signed a framework agreement with Indonesian company PT Republik Aero Dirgantara, also known as Republikorp, to export 12 Bayraktar Kizilelma UCAVs, with options for up to 48 additional aircraft.

The agreement could potentially expand to 60 aircraft in total and covers cooperation on development, technology transfer, local production, maintenance infrastructure, and training programs in Indonesia. Deliveries are expected to begin in 2028.

The Kizilelma, a jet-powered stealth unmanned combat aircraft designed for both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions, represents one of Turkiye’s most ambitious aerospace projects. The export agreement is widely viewed as a breakthrough for Turkish defense exports, particularly in the high-end unmanned combat aviation sector traditionally dominated by Western and Chinese manufacturers.

The Indonesia deal also builds on earlier cooperation agreements between Ankara and Jakarta on the Bayraktar TB3 and Akinci drone programs, signaling an expansion of strategic defense ties between the two countries.

Another major agreement finalized during the exhibition involved Turkiye’s indigenous fifth-generation fighter program.

Turkiye’s Ministry of Defense Industries signed a procurement contract with Turkish Aerospace Industries (TUSAS) for the initial serial production of 20 KAAN Block-10 stealth fighter jets. Deliveries to the Turkish Air Force are expected between 2028 and the end of 2030.

Turkish officials described the agreement as a critical step toward replacing Turkiye’s aging F-16 fleet while strengthening the country’s long-term strategic autonomy in advanced combat aviation.

The KAAN fighter program has become one of Ankara’s flagship national defense initiatives and is considered central to Turkiye’s broader efforts to reduce dependence on foreign defense suppliers.

Additional agreements announced during SAHA Expo included a defense cooperation pact between Turkiye and Kenya, as well as multiple strategic research and development partnerships involving TUBITAK, ASELSAN, and ROKETSAN.

Several of the deals focused on localization efforts in satellite systems, missile technologies, gyroscopes, and next-generation aerospace components tied to projects such as the IMECE-3 satellite program.

More than 200 New Systems Unveiled

Beyond commercial agreements, SAHA Expo 2026 served as a major platform for showcasing new indigenous technologies across multiple defense sectors.

Officials said approximately 203 new products and upgraded systems were unveiled during the exhibition, reflecting Turkiye’s accelerating investments in unmanned systems, artificial intelligence, electronic warfare, stealth technologies, and layered air defense networks.

Turkish Aerospace Industries (TUSAS) introduced the GOLGE tactical flying-wing UAV, a stealth-configured unmanned platform designed for intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and electronic warfare missions.

The low-observable drone, often described by Turkish analysts as a smaller counterpart to the ANKA-3 platform, features a flying-wing design, approximately 10 hours of endurance, and support for catapult launch and parachute recovery systems.

TUSAS also highlighted ongoing developments involving the ANKA-3 and KAAN programs, as Turkiye continues to push toward advanced unmanned and manned stealth capabilities.

Baykar displayed several new systems alongside Kizilelma, including the Mizrak intelligent loitering munition, the K2 kamikaze drone, and the Sivrisinek loitering munition platform.

The Mizrak system reportedly features artificial intelligence-assisted targeting capabilities and a range exceeding 1,000 kilometers, reflecting the Turkish defense industry’s growing emphasis on long-range precision strike technologies.

Meanwhile, ASELSAN unveiled five new products and multiple upgraded systems connected to Turkiye’s developing “Steel Dome” integrated air defense architecture.

Highlighted systems included the ALP low-altitude radar, the GURZ hybrid air defense system, the KORKUT air defense platform, the EJDERHA counter-drone system, the GOKBERK mobile laser weapon, and the PUHU electronic warfare platform.

ASELSAN officials said the systems are intended to strengthen Turkiye’s layered air defense and counter-drone capabilities amid the growing role of UAVs and precision-guided threats in modern warfare.

ROKETSAN also introduced several new munitions and missile systems, including the Nester precision munition, the Cida long-range anti-tank weapon, mini cruise missile concepts, and updated Cirit missile variants optimized for anti-UAS operations.

Other major Turkish defense firms, including HAVELSAN, STM, and MKE, showcased a wide range of autonomous naval systems, swarm drones, unmanned ground vehicles, loitering munitions, AI-assisted command systems, and counter-drone technologies.

The exhibition also featured live demonstrations, unmanned vehicle competitions, defense technology panels, and outdoor displays involving next-generation aerospace and naval systems.

Turkiye unveils Yildirimhan ICBM 

Turkiye unveiled its first intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), Yildirimhan, at the SAHA 2026 International Defense and Aerospace Exhibition in Istanbul, marking a significant step in the country’s long-range strike capabilities.

The missile, developed by the Ministry of National Defense (MoND) R&D Center, was presented for the first time during the exhibition, which brings together leading defense companies, military officials, and international delegations.

According to technical specifications displayed at the event, Yildirimhan has a reported range of 6,000 kilometers and can reach speeds between Mach 9 and Mach 25. The system is powered by four liquid-fuel rocket engines and uses nitrogen tetroxide as its propellant.

Defense Exports Continue Rapid Growth

Turkish officials used the expo to emphasize the country’s transformation from a defense importer into a major exporter over the past two decades.

President Erdogan stated that Turkiye, which once exported only around $248 million annually in defense products, now achieves similar export volumes within roughly a week.

According to official figures cited during the event, Turkiye’s defense and aerospace exports increased by approximately 28% during the first four months of 2026 compared to the previous year, reaching nearly $2.9 billion.

The success of SAHA Expo follows Turkiye reportedly exceeding $10 billion in defense exports during 2025, reinforcing Ankara’s ambitions to rank among the world’s leading defense exporters.

Analysts say Turkish defense systems have gained traction across Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and parts of Europe due to their relatively lower costs, operational performance, combat experience, and Ankara’s willingness to include technology transfer and local production arrangements in export agreements.

The growing popularity of Turkish drones in particular has significantly expanded Turkiye’s geopolitical influence and defense diplomacy footprint in recent years.

Despite ongoing challenges involving supply chain localization, export certification processes, and geopolitical pressures, SAHA Expo 2026 demonstrated the growing maturity and confidence of Turkiye’s defense sector.

For many observers, the exhibition represented more than just commercial success. It highlighted Ankara’s broader push for technological independence and strategic self-reliance in an increasingly competitive global defense environment.

As additional details surrounding the 182 agreements continue to emerge, Turkish defense firms are expected to pursue further export opportunities in Asia, Africa, and the Middle East in the months ahead.