Sertaç aksan
The U.S. and Israeli strike on Iran, followed by Tehran’s retaliation against Gulf countries, has upended regional balances. Faced with the underperformance of some Western-origin systems in real combat conditions, African nations are increasingly turning first to Turkey. According to experts, this is not a short-lived shift but the start of a sustained procurement wave.
Although the ceasefire between the United States and Iran is still holding, it remains extremely fragile, with a high risk of open conflict in the region.
One of the most debated issues during the ceasefire has been the vulnerability of Gulf countries which, for years, invested hundreds of billions of dollars to secure protection under Western defense umbrellas. Yet several “highly advanced” systems failed to deliver the expected results in operational settings. Countries such as the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar were unable to fully protect highly strategic sites.
Africa Draws Lessons from the Gulf
The situation in the Gulf has triggered a broader reassessment, not only within the region but globally. African countries—many of which have recently stepped up investment in defense industries—are among those taking note.
Harun Saraç, Chairman of BAMEX and CEO of The Peak Defense, which organizes Africa’s largest defense industry event, is among the keenest observers of this emerging trend.
He notes that African nations have significantly increased defense spending in response to rising security risks, border threats, and regional instability.
According to him, decision-makers are now prioritizing systems that are “battle-tested, cost-effective, and rapidly deployable.” In this regard, Turkey’s defense industry stands out.
“Today, very few countries can demonstrate operational effectiveness under extremely harsh battlefield conditions. Turkey leads that list. African countries are well aware of this. Recent developments in the Gulf have reinforced this trend. Demand for Turkish defense products in Africa has now reached record levels. This is not a passing trend, but a serious and lasting procurement wave,” he explains.
At last year’s exhibition in Mali, Turkish defense products attracted strong interest.
“No Longer an Alternative, but the First Choice”
Harun Saraç asserts that Turkish defense products are no longer seen as alternatives but have become the “first choice.” He highlights that urgent, large-scale procurement plans are underway in critical areas such as drones, surveillance solutions, armored vehicles, and communication and command-and-control systems.
He adds:
“This situation creates significant short-term opportunities for manufacturers. Companies that enter the market early will secure long-term strategic advantages. According to available data, Africa is set to become one of the fastest-growing defense markets in the world.
That is precisely why BAMEX, Africa’s largest defense industry exhibition, will take on a very different dimension this year. As is known, the first two days of the event are dedicated to product showcases, while the final two days involve live field testing—something rarely seen elsewhere globally. Our greatest strength, however, remains confidence in our national defense products. In fact, those who use them once rarely look elsewhere.
The exhibition, which will host high-level delegations from across Africa and beyond, is scheduled to take place from November 9 to 13, 2026. Last year, numerous companies—including BAYKAR, Aselsan, Roketsan, and MKE—participated. This year, more than 30 Turkish firms are expected to attend.”
