The Development of Turkish Defense Industry in the AKP period (2002–2023)

Abstract

The aim of this study is to analyze the technonationalist development of the Turkish defense industry over the past twenty years (2003-2023), utilizing various sources such as the Military Balance+ and the SIPRI arms transfer databases. It argues that thanks to government efforts and several other factors (geopolitical challenges, increasing security threats, sanctions, export boom), the level of self-sufficiency has been increased, although the country still relies on high value-added technology, the majority of which, despite the challenges, continues to be procured from its Western allies. According to the study, technonationalism has gained increasing prominence in politics in recent years, which not only facilitates the expression of national pride through the latest defense industry achievements (particularly in the drone industry) in electoral campaigns but also through so-called technofestivals, tightly linking these successes to the government.