Dear readers,
Dubai Airshow 2025 was virtually a strategic turning point for the Turkish defence industry this year. Having long increased their visibility in the global market with their products, Turkish companies this time staged an initiative focused on developing cooperation and opening new doors.
ASELSAN:
One of the most striking companies at the fair was undoubtedly ASELSAN. Participating with a wide product range from radar systems to avionics solutions, ASELSAN was particularly the centre of attention for defence authorities in the Middle East.
The fact that ASELSAN moved forward its negotiations with EDGE, one of the region’s largest defence groups, and signed new cooperation agreements is a strong indication that Türkiye’s influence in this geography has now become permanent.
ROKETSAN:
Another star was Roketsan. Long known for its export successes, Roketsan once again reminded the global audience in Dubai of its rocket and missile portfolio featuring precision-strike capabilities.
The mutual contacts throughout the fair and deepening technical discussions with Gulf countries suggest that Roketsan is very close to new projects in the region.
The Rise of National Platforms: HÜRJET, KAAN and KIZILELMA
The platforms that have become symbols of Türkiye’s aviation leap also took centre stage at the fair.
TUSAŞ’s HÜRJET received great appreciation with its demonstration flights.
KAAN, although still in the development phase, became one of the most photographed platforms.
Baykar’s KIZILELMA, with its unmanned fighter aircraft concept, drew serious curiosity in the defence doctrines of Gulf countries.
Katmerciler:
One might think it would be overshadowed by aviation, but Katmerciler also offered significant representation in its own field at the fair. With new refuelling vehicle concepts, they demonstrated that they are developing solutions tailored to the needs of Gulf armies. In a period when the importance of logistics and support vehicles in land elements is increasing, this participation is strategically valuable.
Did Airbus Win or Boeing?
Dubai Airshow 2025 is over, but the debate has just begun:
Did Airbus make a show of strength, or did Boeing once again cling to the tale of “we are actually flying”?
This year’s fair once again hosted the biggest rivalry in the aviation industry.
But this time the matter was much more naked, much clearer:
Airbus spoke with numbers; Boeing tried to hide its bandages under the name of “reputation”.
Airbus: “I came, I took, I’m leaving.”
Airbus’s presence at the fair was like the quiet but effective big brother of the neighbourhood. It didn’t take the stage and make speeches, yet suddenly we saw it holding an order backlog of more than 230 aircraft.
Flydubai’s decision to turn to Airbus for 150 A321neos is the breaking point of this fair. Because flydubai has long been known as “Boeing loyal”. You know those football teams that stick with the same coach for years; that’s exactly the flydubai–Boeing relationship. But this year something different happened on the field:
Flydubai didn’t flee Boeing to seek refuge in Airbus; it had no choice but to turn to Airbus.
Because Boeing still has unresolved issues in the narrow-body segment. Everyone in the sector knows this; they just don’t want to say it out loud.
Airbus didn’t stop there either:
Etihad chose Airbus in wide-body, Emirates increased its A350s, Morocco bought helicopters, Bristow renewed…
In short, Airbus’s fair bag overflowed.
Boeing: Is shouting “We got 65 777X” a success?
On the Boeing side, there is the giant Emirates order presented as if it were a single major triumph: 65 777-9s.
Alright, it’s a big deal… But here’s the issue: this was the only strong card Boeing was able to put forward at the fair.
Boeing’s Dreamliner orders, a few MAX deals, Ethiopia’s small expansion… None of these come anywhere close to Airbus’s total volume.
And the real issue is this:
Boeing still hasn’t been able to step out of the shadow of the 737 MAX.
There was such an effort throughout the fair to hide this that an energy of “everything is fine, please don’t ask questions” hung in the air.
But let’s admit it:
A company does not become “the winner of the fair” by securing only one major order.
This is like a striker who scores just one goal in a football match claiming, “I was a legend today.”
If it’s controversy you want, here it is: The winner of this year is Airbus.
Those who claim Boeing won either do not understand the numbers or pretend not to.
Airbus has won in volume, in variety, and in regional distribution.
Boeing has tried to collect “prestige” with an order received from just one major customer.
Yes, Emirates’ 777-9 order is big.
But it is not enough.
The aviation world now sees this:
Airbus is executing strategy, Boeing is managing crisis.
Those are not the same game.
Dubai Airshow 2025 has shown us a clear fact:
The competition in the skies no longer operates with old balances.
Airbus is advancing, and Boeing is trying to catch up — while still shackled by its own burdens.
If Boeing continues at this pace, the question to be asked at future fairs will not be:
“Why did Boeing fall behind?” but,
“Is Boeing still considering a comeback?”
“Strike at TEC: Can’t They Hear Your Voice, or Are They Pretending Not to?”
In this region, some things never change:
When it comes to the people who sustain the future, the economy, security, and aviation, everyone is silent; but when it comes to their rights, suddenly ears get blocked.
And now, the accumulated strain of years on the concrete floor has finally erupted:
TEC workers didn’t just announce their strike decision; they practically shouted it.
No one should be surprised.
This strike didn’t come out of nowhere.
It is the outward expression of the accumulated anger of forgotten labour.
“There Is Value for Engines, but Not for Those Who Repair Them.”
The aviation industry has long been praised: grand projects, high capacities, records…
But no one looks at this truth:
Without the people who dismantle and reassemble those engines, who work with millimetric precision, no system functions.
While TEC employees bear the responsibility of million-dollar engines, they sweat trying to calculate their own livelihood.
The contradiction is painful:
The load is heavy, responsibility is great, yet the reward is far too small.
Strike decision: The overflowing of a voice accumulated over years
On the day the union said “Strike!”, no one was surprised.
The patience of employees had long been strained.
Wages melted, social rights stagnated, and as life grew more expensive, workers struggled even more.
The same words were repeated at every meeting:
“It’s not possible right now.”
“Conditions do not allow it.”
“The budget is limited.”
But somehow nothing was limited when profits were announced.
The strike decision is not just a demand for a raise;
It is the reflection of a collective will saying “Enough!”
Employer’s move: Lockout threat
After the strike announcement, the employer’s next step was eagerly awaited.
Would there be dialogue?
Would a reasonable offer come?
Would empathy be shown?
No.
The lockout card was played.
What does this mean?
“I’ll shut the doors too.”
“You won’t speak that easily.”
It is a very clear show of power.
And it essentially carries this message:
“Who do you think you are to stand up to us?”
It’s easy to say this without ever entering that hangar, without working for hours at a maintenance module, without feeling the responsibility of the engine.
But the reality is there, written in the eyes of the worker standing upright, wiping sweat from their face after removing their gloves.
This is not just TEC’s story; it is the harsh photograph of working life
What is happening at TEC is a concrete example of the imbalance that has long plagued working life.
As the sector grows, the worker shrinks.
As operations accelerate, the worker slows.
As profits rise, sweat remains in the same place.
If a structure is growing while the lives of those carrying it do not — and even shrink — then there is a big problem.
Today, TEC workers are speaking not only for their own rights but also on behalf of thousands of people working under similar conditions.
The strike is also a crossroads for aviation
If this strike happens, of course something will be affected.
Maintenance times will extend, operations will falter, planning will change.
This is not just a workers’ issue;
It is directly related to aviation safety and sustainability.
Therefore, returning to the table is essential.
But “returning to the table” does not mean offering a token proposal.
Real solutions, real improvements, real value must be given.
Because this time workers have reached such a point that empty words will not work.
There is a determined stance at the gate of TEC today
The 430 labourers waiting at that gate are shouting:
“If we are not here, the engine won’t turn.”
This is not a slogan; it is a bare truth.
And here is another truth:
If the engine doesn’t turn, the sky falls silent.
So how much longer will this silence last?
When will it be understood:
The value of an engine is determined by the labour that makes it run.
What is happening at TEC today is a struggle.
Perhaps not the first, nor will it be the last.
But this time labour is speaking so loudly that even those who pretend not to hear will have to.
Wishing all aviators a safe and peaceful week.
