SYS Group once again became the largest private-sector exporter of small arms during a period when Turkey’s defence industry broke export records in 2025. CANiK represents Türkiye in more than 80 countries.
One of the strongest representatives of the Turkish defence industry in global markets, Samsun Yurt Savunma (SYS Group), once again earned the title of “Türkiye’s largest private-sector exporter of small arms” in 2025, a year in which the Turkish defence and aerospace industry achieved record export figures, despite challenging global conditions.
Award at the 5th Global Strategies Conference
SYS Group added another achievement to its success at the 5th Global Strategies Conference in the Defence & Aerospace Industry, held in Antalya on 30–31 January 2026. At the conference, where export strategies in the defence and aerospace industry were discussed in depth, the sector’s international position was evaluated in the context of shifts in global trade balances, regional conflicts, and increasing geopolitical polarisation.
As part of the conference, awards were presented to companies that made the greatest contribution to exports across the defence industry in general and in various categories.
Second Place in the Weapons Systems and Ammunition Product Group
SYS Group, the largest private-sector company in Türkiye in the field of small arms manufacturing, was awarded second place in the “Weapons Systems and Ammunition Product Group” category. Standing out among the companies in the category with its identity as a weapons manufacturer, SYS Group once again confirmed its position as the leading private-sector exporter of small arms with this award.
On behalf of SYS Group, the award was presented to Business Development and Marketing Director Gençay Gençer by Haluk Görgün, President of the Presidency of Defence Industries, and Minister of Trade Ömer Bolat.
“CANiK Represents Türkiye in More Than 80 Countries”
Commenting on the award, SYS Group CEO Cahit Utku Aral stated that their journey, which began at the production facility in Samsun, has today reached a global structure with facilities in the USA and the UK. Emphasising that the CANiK brand successfully represents Türkiye in the fields of quality, trust, and engineering in more than 80 countries, Aral said:
“The past year has been an extremely challenging period, marked by rapidly changing global trade balances, deepening geopolitical polarisation, and growing uncertainties worldwide. In such an environment, we take great pride in being the largest private-sector small arms manufacturer in our country’s defence industry exports.
We are pleased to have achieved this success once again in a year when the Turkish defence and aerospace industry broke records and exceeded the USD 10 billion threshold for the first time. As CANiK and SYS Group, we are moving forward with a sustainable, high value-added, and export-oriented growth strategy that plans not only for today but also for the future. Our consolidated turnover target of over USD 300 million for 2026 is a clear indication of our ambition in global markets and our sense of responsibility towards our country.”
