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IDEf Istanbul 2025

IDEF Istanbul 2025: Showcasing Türkiye’s Cutting-Edge Land Vehicles and Defence Innovations

  The 15th International Defence Industry Fair (IDEF) held in Istanbul in 2025 once again placed Türkiye at the forefront of global military technology. This year’s event showcased an impressive array of state-of-the-art defence systems, particularly focusing on advanced land vehicles and breakthrough missile and air defence technologies that underline Türkiye’s growing strength in defence…

 

The 15th International Defence Industry Fair (IDEF) held in Istanbul in 2025 once again placed Türkiye at the forefront of global military technology. This year’s event showcased an impressive array of state-of-the-art defence systems, particularly focusing on advanced land vehicles and breakthrough missile and air defence technologies that underline Türkiye’s growing strength in defence innovation.


At this year’s IDEF Defence Fair in Istanbul, one of the most striking exhibits came from Türkiye’s Roketsan: the unveiling of the Tayfun Block-4, a new generation supersonic ballistic missile. Longer and heavier than its predecessors, the Block-4 reportedly stretches nearly 10 meters and weighs over 7 tons. What makes it truly stand out is its hypersonic speed, reaching well above Mach 5, and its extended range, kept secret. Designed for precision strikes, it combines solid-fuel propulsion with advanced navigation systems, offering an accuracy margin within just a few meters. Mounted on a mobile launcher and equipped with a highly destructive fragmentation warhead, the missile is built to take out strategic targets like radar systems, bunkers, or airbases, while remaining resistant to jamming and electronic warfare. With this unveiling, Türkiye not only introduced its most advanced missile to date but also signalled its intent to become a serious player in the hypersonic weapons arena.

Tayfun Blok 4
Tayfun Blok 4

Land Vehicles Leading the Charge

In the land vehicles category, several homegrown Turkish manufacturers displayed their latest military platforms designed for ruggedness, tactical versatility, and operational efficiency:

  • Pars: A versatile, all-terrain vehicle engineered to meet diverse battlefield demands with durability and adaptability.
  • İzci: A lightweight reconnaissance vehicle equipped with advanced surveillance and communication technologies, designed for rapid deployment and intelligence gathering.
  • Pars Alpha: An enhanced version of the Pars platform, featuring superior firepower and high levels of crew protection.
  • Kaplan ADA: A robust combat vehicle built for reliability under intense operational conditions.
  • NMS: A tactically optimised vehicle tailored for mission success in challenging environments.
  • Nurol Makina: Renowned for precision engineering, Nurol Makina’s vehicles combine innovation with proven reliability to support complex defence operations.

These vehicles exemplify Türkiye’s commitment to developing indigenous military technologies that prioritise both performance and the protection of personnel.

 

The Pioneers of Türkiye’s UAV Revolution: BAYKAR

The spotlight on unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) at IDEF 2025 shone brightly on BAYKAR, Türkiye’s leading UAV manufacturer, whose platforms have set new standards in surveillance, reconnaissance, and armed drone missions globally. Their cutting-edge UAVs, including the acclaimed Bayraktar TB2, continue to demonstrate operational success across multiple theatres.

Equally impressive was Turkish Aerospace Industries’ KAAN, the country’s first indigenous fifth-generation stealth fighter jet. Having completed its maiden flight earlier this year, KAAN is built for air superiority and multi-role missions, with advanced avionics, AESA radar, and twin-engine power. Together, these two systems represent not only technological milestones but also Türkiye’s growing ambitions in global defence innovation.

 

Advancements Beyond Land: Missile Systems and Air Defence

As we mentioned earlier IDEF 2025 also witnessed landmark advancements in Türkiye’s missile and air defence capabilities. A highlight was the unveiling of the Tayfun Blok 4, Türkiye’s first supersonic missile system, positioning Türkiye uniquely alongside the US within NATO’s missile technology echelon.

Roketsan demonstrated its continued dominance in missile innovation with systems including Atmaca, Göktürk, Eran, Dolanan, and Çakır — technologies that redefine modern warfare dynamics. Complementing this was the announcement of a strategic Eurofighter jet agreement between Türkiye and the UK, a move set to strengthen NATO’s collective air power through shared engineering excellence.

The Tolga MKE Anti-Drone System: A New Shield Against Emerging Threats

A standout at IDEF 2025 was the Tolga MKE anti-drone system, a cutting-edge defence solution addressing the escalating threat posed by hostile unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Developed by MKE, this system integrates advanced radar detection, electronic warfare capabilities, and kinetic interception measures to reliably detect, track, and neutralise drones at various altitudes and distances. Its modular and scalable architecture allows deployment across diverse environments—from military bases and critical infrastructure to urban areas—offering flexible protection wherever needed.

Tolga MKE represents a quantum leap in counter-drone technology, combining precision, rapid response, and adaptability. As drone threats become increasingly sophisticated and widespread, systems like Tolga are crucial in maintaining airspace security and operational integrity for modern armed forces.

 

 

TÜBİTAK: Driving Innovation in Defence Research

Integral to Türkiye’s defence advancements is TÜBİTAK (The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Türkiye), the country’s premier agency for research and development. TÜBİTAK plays a pivotal role in pioneering scientific research, leading projects in missile guidance systems, chemical and biological protection, radiation shielding, and other cutting-edge defence technologies. Their interdisciplinary approach and collaboration with industry partners accelerate the development of innovative solutions that enhance Türkiye’s defence capabilities.

Through continuous investment in R&D, TÜBİTAK underpins Türkiye’s goal of technological self-reliance, providing the foundation for breakthroughs seen at IDEF 2025. Their work ensures that Türkiye remains at the cutting edge of military science, contributing both to national security and global defence progress.

Homegrown Defence Giants Power the Future

At the core of Türkiye’s defence innovation are industry leaders such as ASELSAN, ROKETSAN, BAYKAR, TUSAŞ, STM, and HAVELSAN, whose contributions span electronic warfare, weapon systems, unmanned platforms, and simulation technologies. Additionally, the HÜRJET advanced jet trainer and light attack aircraft captured attention by showcasing modern pilot training capabilities and flexible air combat roles.

Conclusion

IDEF 2025 not only reaffirmed Türkiye’s position as a growing global defence technology hub but underscored a broader commitment to innovation, self-reliance, and strategic partnerships. With its increasingly sophisticated land vehicles, UAVs, missile technology, and comprehensive air defence systems, Türkiye is confidently safeguarding its future and contributing significantly to NATO and global security architectures.

Stay tuned for further updates as Türkiye continues to push the boundaries of defence technology.

TolgaC_Admin

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