Turkish Defense Exports Poised for Sharp Increase with Medium-Caliber Cannons
CANiK has significantly enhanced its global standing by incorporating AEI Systems, one of the world's three manufacturers of medium-caliber cannons, in 2022.
Turkish Defense Exports Poised for Sharp Increase with Medium-Caliber Cannons
CANiK has significantly enhanced its global standing by incorporating AEI Systems, one of the world's three manufacturers of medium-caliber cannons, in 2022. Cahit Utku Aral, General Manager of CANiK, shared insights into the surge in Turkish arms exports, which have risen by 69 percent from 2018 to 2022 compared to the previous five years. He emphasized that medium-caliber cannons will emerge as highly sought-after products in the near future, positioning Turkey to gain substantial momentum in exports within this sector.
As the world's fifth-largest firearms producer, CANiK exports 95% of its production and solidified its global influence through the acquisition of the British company AEI Systems. Cahit Utku Aral noted that AEI Systems is among the select few manufacturers of medium-caliber guns globally and stated, "Since 2020, 30x113mm automatic cannon systems have been identified as the weapon of the near future for manned and unmanned land, naval, and air platforms. Turkey has been consistently increasing its defense exports, and our country is gearing up to enhance its share in the global market through the production of medium-caliber cannons and compatible remote-controlled weapon systems."
Turkish Arms Exports Surge by 69 Percent
Turkey witnessed the second-highest surge in defense and aerospace exports globally over the last five years, following the Republic of Korea. According to data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), shared in The Economist, Turkish defense and aerospace exports rose by 69 percent between 2018 and 2022 compared to the previous five-year period, with its share in the global arms market doubling. Turkish Exporters Assembly data indicates that the value of Turkish defense and aerospace exports in 2022 increased by 37 percent compared to the previous year, reaching approximately $4.4 billion.
The Era of Medium-Caliber Guns Has Dawned
Aral, considering Turkey's global position in the defense and aerospace industry based on this data, remarked, "Medium-caliber guns will become one of the most sought-after products in the near future due to their ammunition variety, low recoil capabilities, and easy integration into highly maneuverable platforms. Turkey has elevated its prestige in the global defense and aerospace sector through the production of medium-caliber guns. The significant interest from visitors at international fairs in Turkish companies attests to this."
Reducing Costs, Increasing Profitability
Aral highlighted the challenge faced by platform manufacturers and integrator companies in accessing medium-caliber cannons globally and continued, "These guns, due to their high costs and complex internal structures, are traditionally produced by major arms manufacturers and specific countries. In recent years, the Turkish defense and aerospace industry has made significant strides in medium-caliber cannon production. As CANiK develops substantial capabilities in producing medium-caliber weapons, opportunities arise for platform manufacturers and integrator companies. The accessibility of low-recoil medium-caliber cannons through CANiK will enhance the competitiveness of platform manufacturers in Turkey and our allies, potentially increasing their sales and reducing costs."
