CAIRO – The fourth edition of the Egypt Defence Expo (EDEX), held from December 1 to 4, 2025, at the Egypt International Exhibition Centre in New Cairo, highlighted Türkiye’s growing role as a major defense partner for African nations. Among more than 80 Turkish companies present, including ASELSAN, HAVELSAN, and Roketsan, Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) stood out as a flagship exhibitor, showcasing its expanding portfolio of indigenous air platforms tailored to the continent’s pressing security challenges.
Hosted under the patronage of Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, EDEX 2025 attracted delegations from over 50 countries and emphasized localization, technology transfer, and regional interoperability. For TAI, the event provided a strategic platform to display proven systems such as the T129 ATAK attack helicopter, HÜRKUŞ turboprop trainer and light-attack aircraft, ANKA medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) UAV, and the heavier AKSUNGUR UAV. Live demonstrations of the ANKA-S, feeding real-time mission data to visitors, underscored Türkiye’s competitive edge in the fast-growing African tactical drone market.
TAI is currently in active negotiations with approximately 90 countries worldwide, with around 40 African nations—including Egypt—forming a core part of its marketing and promotion efforts. Over the past five years, the company has signed 14 separate contracts with seven African countries. Some of these deliveries have already been completed, while others remain on schedule.
All TAI platforms currently in serial production are now in active service across Africa. The T129 ATAK helicopter is operational in Nigeria, where it supports counter-insurgency operations against Boko Haram, and additional units have been delivered to other Sahel-region forces. The HÜRKUŞ trainer/light-attack aircraft entered service with Niger (two units delivered in 2023) and is being supplied to Chad along with associated munitions. The ANKA UAV has been delivered to Tunisia (five units since 2022, marking TAI’s first African sale), Chad, and Ethiopia, while the twin-engine AKSUNGUR, capable of 50-hour endurance missions and armed strikes, is flying combat sorties from N’Djamena in Chad.
TAI emphasizes that its platforms have an average service life of around 25 years, meaning the company’s presence on the continent will endure for decades through maintenance, upgrades, and training support. Newer platforms such as the HÜRJET advanced jet trainer, GÖKBEY utility helicopter, and stealthy ANKA-3 unmanned combat aerial vehicle have already entered Turkish Air Force service, gaining valuable operational experience that enhances their export credibility.
The appeal of Turkish defense products in Africa rests on several key factors: affordability compared with Western equivalents, rapid delivery timelines, absence of restrictive end-use conditions, NATO-standard interoperability, and comprehensive after-sales support. These advantages have driven a sharp increase in demand. Turkish defense exports to Africa rose from $83 million in 2020 to $288 million in 2021, with unmanned systems making up the majority of sales.
When combined with Baykar’s highly successful Bayraktar TB2 and Akıncı drones—now operational in at least 25 African countries—the two companies alone cover a quarter of the continent with modern air platforms. Turkish electro-optical systems, precision-guided munitions, and radar suites from other manufacturers further complement these aircraft, creating integrated, cost-effective solutions for African armed forces.
Beyond hardware, TAI invests heavily in human capital and infrastructure development. The company trains pilots and technicians for every platform it delivers, often at its Ankara facilities. Chadian engineers, for example, completed extensive courses in 2024. Under its engineering development program, TAI has established maintenance laboratories and simulation centers in several African countries. These initiatives aim to reduce long-term dependency and build genuine local capability.
This people-centered approach aligns with Türkiye’s broader diplomatic strategy in Africa, where defense cooperation serves as a cornerstone of bilateral relations. Training programs, joint exercises, and technology-transfer agreements reinforce political ties and position Türkiye as a reliable, long-term partner—distinct from traditional suppliers that sometimes impose political conditions or lengthy approval processes.
At EDEX 2025, industry observers noted ongoing discussions between TAI and Egyptian entities for potential co-production or deeper industrial collaboration, building on earlier frameworks established in 2023. With African defense spending projected to require tens of billions of dollars annually over the coming decade to counter terrorism, piracy, and interstate tensions, Türkiye’s combination of battle-tested technology, affordable pricing, and genuine partnership offers a compelling alternative.
As the expo concluded, TAI’s expanded presence signaled more than commercial ambition—it reflected a strategic commitment to supporting African security forces for the full lifecycle of its platforms and beyond. For many African nations seeking modern, sustainable, and unrestricted capabilities, Türkiye has firmly established itself as a partner of choice.
