World Defense Show 2026: Turkish and European Industries Will Cooperate, Says Aselsan Boss

Why It Matters

The collaboration could ease geopolitical tensions, broaden market access, and reshape defence supply chains across Europe and Turkey. It signals a move toward diversified sourcing and increased export potential for both parties.

Key Takeaways

• Aselsan leads Turkey's Steel Dome air‑defence development.
• European firms invited to partner at World Defense Show 2026.
• Sanctions pushed Turkey toward indigenous systems like Akkor, SARP.
• Cooperation could unlock new export markets for both sides.
• Government trusts Aselsan's technological depth for defense leadership.

Pulse Analysis

The World Defense Show 2026 serves as a showcase for Turkey’s ambitious defence modernization agenda, with Aselsan at its core. As the primary developer of the Steel Dome air‑defence system, the firm has expanded its portfolio to include advanced solutions such as the Akkor active‑protection suite and the Stabilised Advanced Remote Weapon Platform. By inviting European partners to the exhibition, Aselsan signals a willingness to integrate external expertise, potentially accelerating technology transfer and joint‑development projects that could benefit both markets.

Recent sanctions on Turkish defence procurement have forced a pivot toward self‑reliance, prompting companies like BMC and Aselsan to create home‑grown alternatives. This environment has cultivated a robust domestic supply chain, but it also highlighted gaps that European firms can fill, especially in high‑precision electronics and software integration. A cooperative framework could mitigate the costs of indigenous development while offering European suppliers access to a rapidly growing market that was previously constrained by political barriers.

Looking ahead, the Turkey‑Europe partnership may reshape regional defence dynamics, encouraging a more interconnected ecosystem of manufacturers and reducing reliance on traditional suppliers. For European defence contractors, the alliance offers a gateway to NATO‑aligned contracts and a strategic foothold in the Middle East and Eastern Mediterranean. For Turkey, the collaboration promises accelerated capability upgrades and a stronger voice in global defence dialogues, positioning Aselsan as a pivotal bridge between East and West.

World Defense Show 2026: Turkish and European industries will cooperate, says Aselsan boss

By Damian Kemp

Aselsan is designing and building Turkey’s Steel Dome air‑defence system.

Aselsan was formed 50 years ago in response to difficulties Turkey was facing in sourcing major systems internationally. While some challenges still remain, company president Ahmet Akyol believes a rapprochement is possible.

Multiple Turkish defence procurements have faced the brunt of political sanctions, most notably BMC’s Altay main battle tank, which has had to look for other sources for major systems and technologies or create indigenous alternatives.

National partner Aselsan has benefitted from the reluctance of some countries to supply systems, as well as from the government’s intent to secure the safety of local design and manufacture, notably through systems such as the Akkor active‑protection system and the Stabilised Advanced Remote Weapon Platform (SARP) remote‑weapon station.

The company’s technological depth led to the Turkish government giving it the leadership.