Turkish defense firms secured close to $8 billion in export deals during the opening days of the SAHA 2026 International Defense and Aerospace Exhibition, setting a record for Türkiye’s expanding defense sector.

Haluk Bayraktar announced that Turkish firms finalized the contracts within the first three days of the exhibition, describing the outcome as a historic milestone for the country’s defense and aerospace sector, The Caspian Post reports, citing Yeni Safak.

Record-Breaking Performance at SAHA 2026

Speaking through X, Bayraktar congratulated member companies of SAHA Istanbul for securing major international deals during the event.

He said the exhibition demonstrated Türkiye’s expanding influence in global defense markets and highlighted the competitiveness of domestically developed technologies.

Advanced Turkish Defense Systems Showcased

The SAHA 2026 exhibition, held at the Istanbul Expo Center from May 5-9, features a wide range of advanced Turkish defense, aviation and space technologies.

Companies are presenting new-generation systems across sectors including unmanned aerial vehicles, missile technologies, electronic warfare, aerospace engineering and naval defense platforms.

Türkiye Strengthens Global Defense Footprint

Organized by Europe’s largest defense and aerospace industry cluster, the event reflects Türkiye’s broader strategy to expand indigenous production and increase defense exports.

Turkish defense manufacturers have significantly increased their international presence in recent years, with growing demand from markets across the Middle East, Africa, Asia and Europe.

The strong contract volume at SAHA 2026 further reinforces Türkiye’s position as an emerging global player in the defense and aerospace industry.