Turkey gains strong foothold in Africa’s arms market

Turkey has cemented its position as one of the world’s major defense markets, with a growing footprint across Africa.

In 2024, the country exported more than 300 defense products to around 180 nations, generating $7.2 billion in revenue, a sharp rise from $1.64 billion in 2014. This surge underscores Turkey’s transformation into a global defense powerhouse.

From drones and assault rifles to armored vehicles, patrol vessels, and advanced munitions, Turkey offers a comprehensive portfolio tailored to diverse security needs. Unlike many Western suppliers, Ankara imposes fewer political conditions on sales, making it an attractive partner for governments facing urgent security challenges.

Unmanned aerial vehicles dominate Turkey’s defense exports to Africa. Companies such as Baykar, Turkish Aerospace Industries, and Skydagger produce combat and kamikaze drones that have proven their effectiveness in conflicts from Nagorno-Karabakh to Ukraine.

The Bayraktar TB2, in particular, gained global recognition after its decisive role in Azerbaijan’s 2020 victory and subsequent operations in Ukraine, including the sinking of Russia’s Moskva cruiser.

Today, more than 25 African countries operate Turkish drones, making Ankara the continent’s leading supplier of MALE (Medium Altitude, Long Endurance) systems—surpassing China.

Morocco was among the first buyers in 2021, and demand has since expanded across the region. Turkey is also investing locally: Baykar plans drone production and maintenance facilities in Morocco through its subsidiary Atlas Defense.