SAHA EXPO 2026: Türkiye’s Defense Giant Breaks Records

The SAHA EXPO 2026 International Defense, Aerospace, and Space Industry Fair has officially opened its doors at the Istanbul Expo Center, marking a historic milestone for Türkiye’s defense sector. Haluk Görgün, President of the Defense Industry Agency (SSB), announced that the event is expected to facilitate approximately $8 billion in contracts during the fair.

As the largest defense and aerospace cluster in both Türkiye and Europe, SAHA Istanbul is showcasing the rapid “localization” and global expansion of Turkish defense technology.

The Exponential Growth of SAHA EXPO (2018–2026)

The fair’s trajectory highlights Türkiye’s rising status as a global defense hub. From its humble beginnings in 2018, the event has grown into a massive international platform.

The “Green Path” Ecosystem Strategy

Haluk Görgün detailed a systematic layout designed to integrate small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with major industry players:

• The Green Path: A central walkway connecting focal points and squares.

• The Square Concept: Major Turkish defense giants (such as ASELSAN, TUSAŞ, and ROKETSAN) occupy the squares, surrounded by their specialized subcontractors and side-industry partners.

• Cluster Synergy: This allows companies to participate as a complete “ecosystem,” strengthening the supply chain between main contractors and SMEs.

A Global Defense Power: 185 Countries and Counting

Türkiye’s defense industry has shifted from being a domestic supplier to a major global exporter. Key statistics shared by the SSB include:

• Localization Rate: Now exceeds 80%, covering land, air, sea, submarine, and space platforms.

• Export Reach: 230+ different products are currently exported to 185 countries.

• 2025 Performance: Last year, the sector hit a record $10.5 billion in exports.

• 2026 Momentum: In the first four months of 2026 alone, nearly $7 billion in export contracts were signed prior to the fair.

Strategic Importance of SAHA MBA

Beyond hardware, Görgün emphasized the SAHA MBA program. This initiative is designed to provide executive education to leaders within the defense sector, ensuring that the human capital—managers and strategists—keeps pace with the technological advancements of the platforms they develop.

Balancing Ambition with Regional Stability

While the $8 billion contract target at SAHA EXPO 2026 is an undeniable economic victory, it also places Türkiye at a geopolitical crossroads.

• The “Win-Win” Doctrine: Haluk Görgün frames the exports as a “win-win” for allies, but the proliferation of Turkish drones (UAVs) and munitions into conflict zones in the Middle East, Africa, and Eastern Europe continues to draw international scrutiny.

• Strategic Autonomy: The 80% localization rate is a significant shield against foreign arms embargoes, but it also reflects a growing trend of military self-reliance that complicates traditional NATO procurement dynamics.

• Sustainability of Growth: Maintaining a 10-billion-dollar annual export average requires constant innovation in artificial intelligence (AI), space-based systems, and cybersecurity, areas that SAHA EXPO 2026 is now prioritizing to move beyond traditional kinetic weaponry.

source: bigpara