London, Thanasis Gavos

In second place among emerging arms exporters worldwide ranks his analysis Economist Turkey, behind the “undisputed” leader in the field South Korea.

The extensive report in the latest issue of the British magazine examines the state of arms exports internationally, with a focus on emerging players.

As for Turkey, it is noted that President Erdogan’s party, which has been in power since 2002, has poured money into the defense industry, with the goal of self-sufficiency in arms production becoming more imperative due to American and European sanctions.

Citing data from the SIPRI think tank in Stockholm, the publication says that Turkish arms exports increased by 69% between 2018 and 2022 compared to the previous five years.

And the country’s share of the world arms market doubled.

The sector’s export value is expected to grow 38% year-on-year in 2022 to reach $4.4 billion, with a target of $6 billion this year.

A purchase of Turkish submarines and corvettes from Pakistan is mentioned, but the priority in sales of Turkish drones is mainly emphasized.

The newer and more powerful than the previous Akinci drones will be sold in Saudi Arabia and has more suitors in the Gulf countries, while the Bayraktar TB2 drone has been used by Azerbaijan, Ethiopia, Libya and Ukraine.

Also of note is the construction of the new flagship of the Turkish Navy, the amphibious assault ship and light aircraft carrier Anadolu, and the new fifth-generation fighter jet Kaan, developed with the help of British BAE Systems and Rolls-Royce.