SAHA 2026'da Yıldırımhan ile Güç Gösterisi: Türkiye Oyunu Değiştiriyor

Don't forget to subscribe to my channel:    / @hakancelik   SAHA 2026, held in Istanbul, is not just a defense industry fair; it stands out as a powerful showcase of Turkey's technological advancement, strategic ambitions, and global visibility. This event, which is talked about more and more each year, has reached a new level this time with its number of participants, the diversity of international delegations, and the scale of the platforms on display. The first thing you feel upon stepping into the fair is a self-confidence that goes far beyond the "domestic and national" rhetoric. SAHA Istanbul CEO Haluk Bayraktar's opening speech clearly reflected this spirit. As Bayraktar emphasized, the issue is not just about production; it's about building an ecosystem that will change the rules of the game. The practical application of this ambition is evident step by step at the fairgrounds. One of the most talked-about topics was undoubtedly the Yıldırımhan intercontinental ballistic missile announced by the Ministry of National Defense. I had the opportunity to chat briefly with the Minister of National Defense, Yaşar Güler, at the fair, and his satisfaction with the interest shown in the ongoing work was noteworthy. In a briefing by the Ministry of National Defense Spokesperson, Rear Admiral Zeki Aktürk, it was announced that the Yıldırımhan's laboratory tests had been successfully completed and the process was proceeding as planned. With its enormous size and technical specifications, Yıldırımhan took center stage at the fair. In my opinion, it is not just a missile; it is a strategic response to Turkey's changing combat doctrine. This platform is more than a demonstration of capability; it is a declaration of vision. If the work in this field continues with the same determination and continuity, Turkey's goal of reaching its target level does not seem far off. I also had the opportunity to meet with numerous representatives from various institutions throughout the fair. A particularly noteworthy conversation I had with Latif Aral Aliş, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Sarsılmaz, one of Turkey's oldest defense industry companies, was especially significant. Aliş underlined the level of maturity achieved in autonomous systems and spoke about the intense interest shown in the Sarbot platform. This is not just a product success; it is a significant indicator of the point Turkey has reached in robotics and AI-supported defense systems. At the fair, the stands of major players such as Roketsan, TUSAŞ, STM, and BMC resembled technology hubs. Each showcased platforms that had deepened and diversified in different areas and gained international competitiveness. The Altay tank, positioned in the open area, was, as expected, one of the platforms that attracted the most attention from visitors. The concentration of visitors around Baykar's TB2, TB3, and Akıncı platforms once again demonstrated that Turkey's momentum in unmanned systems is still at its peak. MKE's wide product range was also an important component of the fair. The Eurofighter Typhoon, displayed right next to the Hürjet, was another focal point of attention. During my meetings with the delegation from the United Kingdom, the assessments of Mike Baulkwill, an experienced pilot who has flown platforms such as the F-16, Harrier, and Eurofighter and currently serves as the Director of Combat Air Strategy at BAE Systems, were particularly noteworthy. Baulkwill emphasized that the Turkish Air Force's choice of this platform was "an extremely correct and appropriate decision," and highlighted the aircraft's superior air superiority capabilities. This comment should be interpreted as heralding a new era in Turkey's air power structure. The ASELSAN stand, on the other hand, was like a technology universe in itself. A wide range of systems were displayed, from the ALP Low Altitude Radar to the GÜRZ Hybrid Air Defense System, from KORKUT to the GÖKBERK mobile laser weapon. Platforms such as the OSA Kılıç kamikaze autonomous underwater vehicle and the Tufan UAV demonstrate the rapid expansion of the autonomous warfare concept in maritime operations. The new capabilities of the Steel Dome, announced on the second day, reveal the progress Turkey has made in its integrated air defense architecture. The international dimension of the fair was just as remarkable as its technological content. The increase in the number of companies and participants from China showed how global competition was reflected on this platform; while Ukraine's large stand, despite being at war with Russia, was a striking example of how field experience is transformed into technology. The picture that SAHA 2026 presented is clear: Turkey is now moving towards becoming not just a follower, but a leading actor in the defense industry. The difficulty of this path is evident. However, the determination on the ground, the technica...