SAHA 2026: Turkey's Defence Industry on Display – Long-Range Strike Drones, Unmanned Maritime Platforms, and Expanding Arms Exports
Summary
The SAHA 2026 International Defence and Aerospace Exhibition, held from May 5–9 at the Istanbul Expo Center, emerged as one of Europe's largest defence events, attracting 1,700 companies from over 120 countries and more than 30,000 industry professionals. The exhibition demonstrated remarkable growth since its founding in 2015, with Turkish defence firms securing approximately $8 billion in export contracts within just the first three days, a significant increase from the $6.2 billion recorded at SAHA 2024. Three major thematic trends dominated the showcase: the debut of long-range strategic loitering munitions exceeding 1,000 km range, the unveiling of autonomous naval systems, and a broader demonstration of Turkey's industrial self-sufficiency in defence manufacturing. Baykar Technology led the loitering munitions push by debuting three new one-way attack platforms, including the AI-assisted Mızrak with GPS-denied navigation capabilities, the swarm-capable K2 Kamikaze UAV with a 200 kg payload, and the tube-launched Sivrisinek system. The event also drew major international players including BAE Systems, MBDA, China's Norinco, and a full UAE national pavilion, underscoring Turkey's transformation from a regional showcase into a globally significant defence industry hub.
Key Takeaways
- 1. Turkey has made a decisive strategic leap into long-range strike capabilities, with multiple firms simultaneously unveiling loitering munitions exceeding 1,000 km range, signalling ambitions beyond short- and medium-range unmanned systems
- 2. The $8 billion in export contracts secured within three days reflects Turkey's rapidly growing position as a major arms exporter, representing a nearly 30% increase over SAHA 2024 figures
- 3. Baykar's introduction of AI-assisted, GPS-denied navigation features in its new platforms directly addresses lessons learned from electronic warfare environments in Ukraine and the Middle East
- 4. The presence of major Western (BAE Systems, MBDA), Chinese (Norinco), and Gulf (UAE/Tawazun) defence entities highlights SAHA's evolution into a genuinely global procurement and partnership forum
- 5. Turkey's defence industrial transformation — from heavy import dependence before the 1980s to designing, producing, and exporting advanced systems today — represents a significant strategic shift with broad geopolitical implications for NATO and regional security dynamics