Türkiye’s Roketsan Pushes for Top Global Rank as Demand for Missiles and Drones Surges
As modern warfare evolves, Türkiye is rapidly expanding its defence industry, with missile manufacturer Roketsan aiming to become one of the world’s top 10 arms exporters.
Founded in 1988 to supply the Turkish military, Roketsan has grown into a major global player, now exporting to around 50 countries. The company’s rise comes amid increasing global demand for drone, missile and air defence systems, driven by conflicts in Ukraine, Gaza, and escalating tensions involving Iran.
Türkiye’s defence expansion has been shaped in part by Western sanctions. In 2020, the United States imposed restrictions under CAATSA following Ankara’s purchase of Russia’s S-400 missile system, a move that also led to its removal from the F-35 fighter jet programme. In response, Türkiye invested heavily in domestic production, building a supply chain of nearly 4,000 local companies and achieving over 90 percent self-sufficiency in defence manufacturing.
This strategy has paid off. The country’s defence exports reached $10bn in 2025, with Roketsan ranking among the fastest-growing firms in the sector. The company’s general manager, Murat İkinci, says the goal is to climb from its current global ranking into the top tier of defence exporters.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan recently inaugurated new facilities to support that ambition, including what is described as Europe’s largest warhead production site, a major research and development centre, and expanded missile manufacturing infrastructure backed by billions of dollars in investment.
Roketsan’s strategy is heavily influenced by lessons from ongoing conflicts. The war in Ukraine has highlighted the effectiveness of low-cost drones and AI-assisted systems, while recent confrontations involving the United States, Israel and Iran have demonstrated how coordinated missile and drone attacks can overwhelm air defences.
In response, the company is developing a range of systems, including the “ALKA” and “BURC” air defence platforms and the “CIRIT” laser-guided missile. A key focus is the “Tayfun” ballistic missile programme, particularly its advanced hypersonic variant designed to evade modern air defence systems.
Türkiye is also shifting its export model. Rather than simple arms sales, it is offering joint production and technology-sharing partnerships to allied countries. This approach aims to build long-term strategic relationships, with countries like Qatar cited as examples of deep defence cooperation.
The timing is significant. Ongoing conflicts have depleted global stockpiles of advanced weapons, particularly air defence systems. During recent regional clashes, the United States relied heavily on expensive systems such as Patriot and THAAD interceptors to counter large volumes of drones, raising concerns about supply shortages.
With many countries seeking more affordable and accessible alternatives, Türkiye sees an opportunity to expand its market share. By combining domestic production क्षमता with aggressive reinvestment and international partnerships, Roketsan is positioning itself at the centre of a rapidly growing global arms market.
As demand for missile and air defence technology continues to rise, Türkiye’s defence industry appears set to play an increasingly influential role in shaping the future of global security.
