Latest News from Turkey
SAHA 2026 Defense Expo Opens with $8 Billion Target
Turkey's biennial SAHA defense expo opened on May 5, 2026, with organizers planning to invest expo revenues into establishing drone production facilities across all 81 Turkish provinces. The event targets $8 billion in defense deals, up from $6.2 billion in 2024, with Baykar planning to debut its MIZRAK Intelligent Loitering Munition featuring over 1,000 km range and AI-assisted capabilities
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Turkey Plans 'Millions of Drones' Production Capacity Nationwide
Turkish defense officials announced plans to establish drone production and training centers in each of Turkey's 81 provinces, aiming to achieve production capacity of millions of drones nationwide. The largest facility will be located in Istanbul and opened to the public to encourage youth participation in the drone sector
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Turkey-Saudi Arabia Renewable Energy Deal Extends Beyond Initial Terms
A major renewable energy agreement between Turkey and Saudi Arabia, submitted to Parliament for approval, involves a 2,000-megawatt initial phase expanding toward 5,000 megawatts with approximately $2 billion in investment. However, the contract reveals the Turkish state-run EÜAŞ committed to purchasing electricity for 30 years rather than the 25 years initially cited, with initial tariffs of 47.5 EUR/MWh more than double the publicly stated rate
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Turkish Energy Minister Warns of Prolonged Global Energy Crisis
Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar stated the world should prepare for energy price and supply crises stemming from the Iran war to potentially last longer than expected. While Turkey currently faces no supply issues, developments regarding the Strait of Hormuz and the UAE's withdrawal from OPEC have added to global energy uncertainties
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Turkey Reframes Security Strategy Beyond European Framework
Turkey is increasingly projecting its own cross-regional security framework across the Black Sea, Syria, Middle East, and Africa, moving beyond European security institutions. While not leaving European security, Ankara is shaping security outcomes across broader geopolitical regions that European institutions are not designed to reach
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Saudi Renewable Investment Carries Long-Term Currency Risk for Turkey
The Turkey-Saudi renewable energy deal specifies all payments will be made in Euros, placing long-term currency risk on Turkey amid recent exchange rate volatility. Tax exemptions and state-backed infrastructure responsibilities may result in indirect public costs over the project's 30-year lifespan
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Baykar Plans Defense Industrial Mobilization Model
Baykar chairman Haluk Bayraktar emphasized that establishing drone production centers across Turkey's provinces shifts the country's drone production success from company-oriented achievements into a nationwide defense-industrial mobilization model. The initiative aims to make drone production and training open to the public to encourage youth participation
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SAHA Expo Targets Defense Industry Growth Investment
Organizers of the SAHA 2026 defense expo plan to funnel expected record attendance revenues into creating drone production facilities throughout Turkey. This investment strategy represents a significant commitment to expanding Turkey's defense industrial base nationwide
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Middle East Energy Dynamics Create Global Uncertainty
Turkish officials highlighted that the UAE's withdrawal from OPEC and developments at the Strait of Hormuz have created additional uncertainties in global energy markets alongside the ongoing Iran war. These regional developments compound concerns about prolonged energy supply and price crises
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Turkey Positions as Regional Security Stakeholder
Turkey's strategic positioning as an independent security actor extends across multiple regions including the Black Sea, Syria, and Africa, indicating a shift in Turkish geopolitical strategy. This positioning allows Ankara to shape security outcomes independently rather than solely within European security frameworks
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