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The arms industry and sovereignty


by Martin Aslan


A national defense industry is conceptually known as a Defense Industrial Technological Base (DITB). This industry is the result of the political will of a nation whose objective is to develop autonomous capabilities for acquiring military equipment to ensure its defense. These capabilities exist at three levels: the development and production of weapons systems, equipment support, and human support. Having such an industry is essential to demonstrating a nation's ability to exert influence on the international stage. The national defense industry also contributes to a country’s geopolitical standing.




Establishing a DITB requires heavy investment, but it can generate substantial returns. An initial return on investment can be found in research and development on the dual-use technologies that form the foundation of weapon systems. Patents derived from these technologies can be applied to non-military sectors. Once a weapon system has been validated and tested, it can be marketed to international partners as part of strategic partnerships. Countries that do not develop their own defense industries become potential customers for off-the-shelf military acquisitions. Few nations possess a fully independent DITB. The United States, Russia, China, and some European Union countries have defense industries that significantly contribute to their global influence.

Türkiye's rapidly expanding DITB offers a renowned range of military equipment, including the TB2 drone, the Altay T1 battle tank, and the T-129 Atak attack helicopter. Export projects for this equipment are currently being negotiated with Arab countries, though, for now, only the TB2 UAV has achieved significant success. Until the early 2000s, Türkiye was heavily dependent on defense imports. However, under a policy adopted over the past decade, Turkish defense companies have been prioritized, according to a report by the Savunma Sanayii Başkanlığı (SSB). Dependence on foreign technology has decreased to below 50% over the past decade. A decade ago, 80-85% of Türkiye's defense needs were met through foreign imports, but substantial progress has been made in the defense sector. Today, direct arms purchases from foreign companies account for just 10% of the Turkish defense industry's total requirements. Local production has become a key condition in many arms purchase agreements, paving the way for massive investments. Notably, the national defense industry has received significant financial support from the state.


However, Türkiye's DITB does not yet cover the full spectrum of weapons systems required for national defense. This is particularly evident in the area of ground-based air defense. Much of the equipment currently in service is aging and obsolete. Since the Turkish arms industry lacks the capability to develop and produce such systems independently, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan opted to purchase an off-the-shelf ground-based air defense system. Several options were available, but Türkiye ultimately chose the Russian S-400. This decision was not without consequences, as the contract effectively blocked Türkiye from acquiring American F-35 fighter jets, which were crucial for modernizing its aging combat aircraft fleet. In this matter, Türkiye seemingly overlooked its role within a military coalition and the obligations that come with it. While Türkiye’s domestic policy prioritizes industrial sovereignty, this does not grant it unlimited freedom to negotiate with a country that has annexed Crimea and provided military support to the Syrian regime of Bashar al-Assad.

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