SAHA EXPO 2024, Turkey’s largest defense industry fair, opened its doors in Istanbul with a grand ceremony. The expo stands out not only for its technological innovations but also for the significant agreements signed during the event. Baykar General Manager Haluk Bayraktar announced that a total of $6.2 billion in agreements would be signed at 133 ceremonies throughout the expo. Of this, $4.6 billion comes from direct export contracts.
Bayraktar emphasized that Turkey has made significant strides in the defense industry, noting that the country is nearing last year’s $5.5 billion export level. “We are signing contracts at this expo equivalent to the export volume we achieved in one year,” he said.
The Power of the Defense Industry: SAHA Istanbul
Haluk Bayraktar highlighted how SAHA Istanbul has grown to become the driving force behind Turkey’s defense and aerospace sector. Established in 2015, SAHA Istanbul now comprises a network of over 1,200 companies, 29 universities, and covers 45 cities. Bayraktar noted that this diversity, which spans every link in the defense and aerospace ecosystem, brings innovative solutions to the challenges faced.
He further stated that SAHA Istanbul not only enhances local production capabilities but also develops critical technologies that increase Turkey’s competitiveness in the global market. “While strengthening our domestic production capabilities, we are also becoming a key player in the global market,” Bayraktar said, sharing the vision of SAHA Istanbul.
The Result of a 50-Year Development Process: Turkish Defense Industry
In his speech, Haluk Bayraktar emphasized that the success of the Turkish defense industry today is the result of a 50-year development process. He pointed out that since Turkey’s 1974 Cyprus Peace Operation, the country has pursued a vision of nationalization, leading it to become a competitive player in the global market. Highlighting the industry’s growth, Bayraktar said, “With $15 billion in revenue and $5.5 billion in exports in 2023, we are proud of our achievements, but this is just the beginning.”
Bayraktar also noted that, in line with the vision of the National Technology Initiative, defense spending has become more efficient and effective. He added that Turkey’s increasing military spending in the global market reflects its strategic priorities.
A Call for Gaza: “The Conscience of All Humanity Is Suffering”
At the end of his speech, Haluk Bayraktar touched on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. “The situation in Gaza is not a regional conflict, but a genocide that pains the conscience of all humanity,” he said, emphasizing that Turkey has always stood with the oppressed and will continue to support the people of Gaza. He called on the international community to take action to end this tragedy.
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