Message from Chairman of SAHA Istanbul

Haluk BAYRAKTAR

BAYKAR CEO

Chairman of SAHA İstanbul

SAHA 2026, one of the most prestigious gatherings in the global defence and aerospace industry, will open its doors in Istanbul from May 5 to 9, 2026. As the CEO of SAHA Istanbul, I can say with confidence that this is not just an event—it is a strategic milestone for Türkiye and a powerful statement to the global community.

SAHA 2026 is more than a trade exhibition. It is a strategic platform that reflects Türkiye’s impressive progress in defence and aerospace, and highlights our expanding global role. Our message is clear:

‘Discover the rising power of Türkiye’s defence and aerospace industry—where disruptive technologies that change the rules of the game stand side by side with conventional systems.’

With the motto ‘Rule the Technology, Shape the Future,’ SAHA 2026 positions itself at the very heart of the global defence supply chain. This is the embodiment of our international vision and leadership.

Today, global defence spending has soared to $2.7 trillion. We are living in an era of increasing threats and rapidly shifting dynamics. In this environment, Türkiye is not a bystander. We are stepping forward as an active contributor, leveraging our indigenous technologies and industrial strengths. Wars, tariffs, cyber threats, supply chain crises—these are not distant challenges. They are here and now. That is why we believe defence must be deeply integrated with technology. Addressing cyber and hybrid threats is not optional—it’s essential. And Türkiye is rising to the challenge with robust capabilities and bold, forward-looking strategies.

We are proud to host SAHA 2026 at the Istanbul Expo Center, covering more than 100,000 square meters. We are expecting over 1,500 companies and delegations from more than 100 countries. In our last edition, we facilitated 25,000 B2B and G2B meetings, leading to 133 agreements worth $6.2 billion. This year, we are expanding further—with global panels, expert insights, and cutting-edge showcases ranging from unmanned systems and space technologies to AI-powered land, air, and naval platforms. Our interactive zones—such as the FPV Drone Area, SAHA UGV, and the Rover Challenge—offer visitors real-time, hands-on experiences with the technologies that will define tomorrow.

We are entering a new era in defence and aerospace—an era shaped by vision, collaboration, and trusted partnerships. In 2024, Türkiye ranked 11th globally in defence exports, commanding a 1.6% share and reaching $7.2 billion in exports—including $1.31 billion from UAVs—by delivering 230 defence products to 185 countries, a 29% increase from the previous year.

But we are not only talking about market entry. Our focus is on building deeper industrial and security cooperation in key strategic regions. With our strong engineering base, flexible industrial infrastructure, and unique geographic advantage, Türkiye is positioned to offer solutions both regionally and globally.

SAHA 2026 is where all these strengths come together. It is not merely a showcase—it is a platform for partnerships, for technology transfer, and for building lasting trust.

I invite you all to join us in shaping the future.

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Message from Chairman of SAHA Istanbul