Turkish defense industry exports have reached $11.2 billion, accounting for 4% of total exports. The sector, which achieved a 40% increase compared to the previous year, could reach $15 billion when defense-related service exports are included. Capable of exporting products to almost every continent, the Turkish defense industry continues to develop through a new-generation model focused on producing high-tech products using national capabilities. With around 3,500 companies operating in the sector, the aim is to spread industrialization across the country and further strengthen domestic capabilities. The Turkish defense industry, which has been expanded nationwide and designed as an interconnected ecosystem, stands out as one of the greatest achievements of the "Made in Türkiye" brand compared with other examples.
In this context, Aselsan’s recently unveiled infrared detector demonstrates that Türkiye is among the select group of countries capable of developing and producing this advanced technology. The infrared detector, which can be produced by only a limited number of countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, Canada, Japan and China, should not be evaluated merely as a single product. Detectors incorporating advanced technology will be used in unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), armored forces, tanks and missile defense systems. Integrated into strategic platforms, the detector is expected to reduce dependence on weather conditions and contribute to keeping these platforms operational on the battlefield for longer periods.
Infrared detectors integrated into combat platforms such as Altay main battle tanks, Bayraktar Kızılelma unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV), and Steel Dome air defense system can significantly enhance night vision and target detection capabilities in challenging weather conditions. In particular, the experience gained from conflicts in Ukraine, Iraq, Syria, Libya and Iran, together with the operational requirements emerging from these conflicts, has contributed to the development of infrared detectors using indigenous capabilities.
Infrared detectors are also used across a wide range of platforms, including reconnaissance and surveillance systems, missile seeker heads, targeting systems, and electro-optical systems. Their development and production are therefore taking the Turkish defense industry into a new strategic domain, addressing a critical security requirement while significantly enhancing operational capabilities under varying weather conditions.
However, to better analyze the current state of the Turkish defense industry and its future trajectory, it may be necessary to broaden the comparison of infrared detectors with those of other countries.
When countries with infrared detector systems are examined, the United States stands out as the largest market and the dominant player in this field. According to information available from open sources, the U.S. is estimated to account for approximately 50% of the global infrared detector market. Although other Western countries, Japan and China have similarly advanced detector production capabilities, their market sizes are not comparable to that of the U.S.
In infrared detector systems, Japanese companies such as Mitsubishi, Hamamatsu and NEC have a global-scale impact. Japanese companies, which have developed the capacity to produce high-precision detectors using dual-use technologies, have adopted a controlled defense industry policy. While China has focused on technological independence through state-led domestic production, Canada has prioritized strong integration with the U.S. Germany and France have likewise approached detector production technology through closely aligned policies, whereas Israel has pursued a different strategy. Driven by military requirements, Israel is building its own technological capabilities while maintaining a highly selective export policy. All in all, the U.S., Israel, France and Germany can outperform actors such as Canada, Japan and China in advanced infrared system technologies.
By global standards, the sharing of knowledge, technology, and expertise in the defense industry remains highly limited. Therefore, when exporting advanced systems, Türkiye should be selective and take into account the technological infrastructure and requirements of allied countries. More importantly, Türkiye should prioritize developing a fully independent and integrated defense industry ecosystem. Particularly for a country aiming to account for 3% of global defense industry exports, the current level of nationalization is not sufficient.
Following the integration of the detector into combat platforms, processes such as electro-optical image processing, integration into missile seeker heads, and deployment across all platforms need to be completed. Similarly, achieving precision strikes over long distances and integrating infrared seeker systems into air-to-air and air-to-ground missiles are among the advanced objectives of the Turkish defense industry.
Between 1974 and 2026, Türkiye’s defense industry has generated nearly $70 billion in exports, a figure expected to exceed $150 billion by 2030. Including defense-related service exports, the total could rise even further. These figures reflect not only the sector’s growing export capacity but also Türkiye’s expanding ability to develop and produce increasingly sophisticated technologies. The defense industry has become one of the main drivers of this transformation, creating capabilities that can extend well beyond the battlefield. Infrared detector systems are a prime example, with potential applications ranging from advanced defense platforms to space technologies.
The development of such technologies should therefore be viewed as part of a broader national effort to strengthen Türkiye’s technological independence. Alongside the National Technology Initiative, the defense industry has become a driving force behind the “Made in Türkiye” brand, while the emergence of infrared detector technology represents another step toward more advanced and strategically significant capabilities.
