IDEF 2025 Overview – $9B Deals, 120,000 Visitors & Global Participation

International Defense Industry Fair (IDEF) 2025 was the most successful in history, and as a result of the fair, $9 billion worth of defense contracts were signed, with over 120,000 people visiting the city of Istanbul. The IDEF 2025 overview highlights how the 17th turkedition of Turkiye’s largest defense exhibition has solidified the country’s position as a key player in the global defense market.

The largest defense expo that was held in Turkiye last week saw over 120,000 visitors and the signing of contracts worth a cumulative 9 billion dollars, as per President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The awesome figures of IDEF 2025 are:

• The 1,491 global companies that joined the event
• Official delegations of 103 countries, 231 official delegations
• 270 signing ceremonies are held in the six-day affair
• There was 65% agreement on the element of exports, pointing to the increasing international presence, as far as the defense market is concerned, by Turkiye
• More than 1,100 products that were exhibited for the first time
• The 26 products in defense launched at the exhibition 26

IDEF 2025 was a successful event, and more importantly, it exhibited the transformed ability of Turkiye in the production of military equipment. As a result of its localization drive, the local content in the defense sector has increased by 100 percent, compared to just 20 percent in the early 2000s. This significant turnaround, in fact, has been driven by a deliberate and successful effort to invest in the local production of defense-related technology. Moreover, it reflects Turkiye’s strong determination to reduce its dependence on foreign suppliers.

One of the aspects that has made the fair successful is the defense export performance of Turkiye. Defense and aerospace exports of Turkiye hit a new high of close to $7.2 billion last year, almost 30 percent more as compared to the preceding year. Trade Minister Ömer Bolat predicted that the trend would continue through 2025, with associated exports expected to surpass the $8 billion mark, which he hailed as an easily achievable goal. The IDEF 2025 overview clearly reflects how Turkiye’s growing export momentum has contributed significantly to the fair’s record-breaking outcomes.

• International Interaction is a Key Aspect in Showing IDEF is an International. Interest world is more connected than we often realize, especially in sports, which operate on a global scale and foster international interaction. This global engagement highlights why IDEF draws international interest.
• International Defense Industry Fair has become an indispensable international defense cooperation platform. With 103 countries represented their countries, IDEF 2025 proved it was the medium between Turkish defense manufacturers and international marketplaces. The strategic positioning of the fair in Istanbul means that those participating have ready access to Europe, Asia, and Africa as well as the Middle East.

Haluk Görgün, the chief of the Presidency of Defense Industries (SSB), has stressed the innovative nature of the exhibition. The fact that more than 1,100 products appeared at the event for the first time, and 26 new defense industry products were introduced, demonstrated the fast growth of Turkiye in the field of defense technology development. The IDEF 2025 overview highlights this strong emphasis on innovation as a key driver of Turkiye’s expanding role in the global defense sector.

President Erdogan emphasized the fact that the trade agreements concluded in IDEF 2025 are about more than a business deal. The 9 billion worth of contracts is an indication of Turkiye’s strategic initiative in ensuring its own self-reliant ecosystem in terms of defense, combined with its interest in strengthening its presence in the world market.

All kinds of air, land, and marine defence platforms of various types were on display at the fair, which showed the capabilities of Turkiye in all defence sectors. It is this diversification that has played a major role in the attraction of international buyers as well as the formation of long-term partnerships.

IDEF 2025 economic impact goes beyond the signed contracts, totaling 9 billion dollars. The introduction is a spur to:

• The employment in the Turkish defense industry
• International partnerships as a means of technological transfer
• Investigations on R&D based on competition and cooperation exploits
• Conducting supply chain development of the extended defense eco-system

The success of the IDEF 2025 keeps Turkiye in a position where it will experience further growth in the international defense market. The Turkish defense industry has the potential to grow, following ambitious export plans to reach $ 8 billion by 2025, and an already high level of domestic production, exceeding 80 percent.

Since IDEF is a recurring biannual event, each edition builds on the previous ones, serving as a catalyst for technological advancement and market development. The following event, IDEF 2027, is likely to showcase further developed capabilities, as the Turkish military industry continues to mature.

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The Turkish defense fair has an outstanding performance, which proves several trends:

The increasing trust in Turkiye by other countries in its defense products and capabilities is a clear indication of its growing global influence. Moreover, the efficient movement from an import-dependent to an export-based defense industry highlights a significant structural transformation. In addition, Turkiye’s strategic positioning as a reliable defense partner to various regions strengthens its geopolitical relevance. Furthermore, its leadership in innovation across different fields of defense technology underscores its commitment to maintaining a competitive edge, High-value defense exports as an economic diversity. The enhancement director can export high-value items such as military weapons and aircraft as part of economic diversification.

The success of IDEF 2025, owing to the contracts it has secured worth $9 billion and having over 120,000 plus visitors, is more than the figures of statistical significance- it is a fact that Turkiye has become an important market participant of the global defense industry. The concatenation of national capability building, international partnering, and positioning has made a baseline that has guaranteed the development of the Turkish defence industry on a sustainable basis.

With its economic growth rates and as world defense budgets keep increasing, countries are able to find defense strategies that provide effective, affordable security solutions. The track record of Turkiye at IDEF 2025 makes the nation even more relevant in the provision of the security solutions needed around the world. The IDEF 2025 overview underscores the high level of success achieved this year, and future editions will surely live up to it, reminding us that IDEF remains one of the best defense fairs in the world.

Turkiye hosts the International Defense Industry Fair (IDEF), a biannual defense exhibition that alternates between venues in Istanbul and Ankara. Looking ahead, the IDEF 2027 will be the next edition; once again, it will demonstrate not only the continued modernization of the Turkish defense sector but also the strengthening of international connections.

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