- From drones to frigates, missile systems and even fifth-generation fighter jets, a new supplier in Southeast Asia’s defence landscape has been making headlines: Türkiye.
Announcements of Turkish arms contracts, deliveries, and deployments by Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines over the past two years have shone a spotlight on this non-traditional source of military hardware. For decades, Southeast Asian militaries largely relied on Western suppliers such as the United States, France, and the United Kingdom—or occasionally on Russia and China—for major acquisitions. Now, Turkish defence firms are carving out a seat at the table.
Analysts say a convergence of factors makes Türkiye’s weapons appealing: affordability, combat-ready platforms, technology-transfer arrangements, and fewer political strings. Ankara, seeking to expand export markets, has actively courted Southeast Asia with defence expos, government-to-government deals, and co-production projects.
Yet experts also warn of challenges ahead, from interoperability with existing equipment to long-term maintenance. The rise of Türkiye in Southeast Asia’s arms market, they note, signals both opportunities and risks for regional militaries navigating a tense security environment.
The most visible and ambitious Turkish defence push is unfolding in Indonesia, where a string of high-profile contracts since early 2024 has transformed bilateral defence ties.
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Drones: In February, Jakarta inked a deal with Baykar to procure 60 Bayraktar TB3 and nine Akinci drones, alongside a joint venture with local firm Republikorp to establish a drone production line.
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Frigates: By July, Indonesia had signed with TAIS Shipyards for two Istif-class stealth frigates, part of an effort to modernize its navy.
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Fighter Jets: Later that month, it signed an “implementation contract” for 48 KAAN fighter jets, Türkiye’s first indigenous fifth-generation aircraft. Reports suggest the contract could be worth US$10 billion, making it one of Jakarta’s largest-ever defence purchases.
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Missiles: In August, reports confirmed deployment of the KHAN ballistic missile system in East Kalimantan, home of Indonesia’s future capital Nusantara. The deal, signed in 2022 with Roketsan, made Indonesia the first foreign operator of the 280km-range missile.
Indonesia’s defence ministry highlighted not only the platforms but also the industrial partnerships, stressing the deals would build local capacity through technology transfer and co-production.
Meanwhile, Malaysia has followed a similar path, particularly at sea. Its Littoral Mission Ship Batch 2 programme is being managed in Türkiye, with STM supervising the construction of three vessels based on the Ada-class corvette design. Turkish systems like the Roketsan Atmaca missile and Aselsan’s SMASH 30mm gun will be integrated.
Malaysia also purchased ANKA-S drones, expected to be deployed in the South China Sea. Defence Minister Mohamed Khaled Nordin has openly linked these deals to technology transfer goals, stressing that local defence firms must acquire expertise in maintenance, repair, and overhaul of advanced systems.
The Philippines, for its part, commissioned the last pair of T129 ATAK attack helicopters in May 2024. The six-helicopter fleet, contracted in 2020 for US$270 million, is intended to bolster the Philippines Air Force’s urban warfare and counterinsurgency capabilities.
The growing visibility of Turkish systems across Southeast Asia reflects deliberate marketing. Turkish firms have become fixtures at regional defence expos: 17 companies participated in the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition 2025, signing MOUs with Malaysian firms and drawing interest from Thailand and Singapore.
Analysts highlight several motivations driving Southeast Asian states toward Turkish systems:
- Diversification After Historical Lessons
Indonesia’s painful experience with a US arms embargo (1999–2005) over human rights concerns in Timor Leste left scars. The embargo froze access to spare parts and upgrades, degrading the country’s air force.
“For Indonesia, diversification of arms suppliers is a critical strategy,” said Abdul Rahman Yaakob of Australia’s Lowy Institute. “They want to ensure they are never again wholly dependent on one supplier or bloc.”
Similar thinking influences Malaysia and the Philippines, both of which seek to balance ties with multiple partners—including the US, China, Russia, South Korea, and now Türkiye.
- Cost-Effectiveness
Turkish platforms are generally cheaper. The Bayraktar TB2 drone, at around US$5 million, costs a fraction of the US MQ-9 Reaper (around US$30 million). For budget-constrained militaries, this makes Turkish drones attractive without sacrificing capability.
- Technology Transfer and Co-Production
Unlike many Western suppliers, Türkiye often ties contracts to industrial collaboration. Indonesia’s KAAN and drone deals, for instance, involve local assembly and partnerships with PT Dirgantara and PT Republik Aero Dirgantara. Malaysia expects similar arrangements in naval and UAV systems.
“Access to technology is a key driver,” said Rahman. “Jakarta and Kuala Lumpur see Turkish partnerships as pathways to nurture domestic defence industries.”
- Political Flexibility
Türkiye markets itself as a partner with fewer political conditions compared to Western governments, which often link sales to human rights or geopolitical alignment.
“Political flexibility offered by Türkiye makes it attractive for countries pursuing independent foreign policies,” said Khairul Fahmi, a defence analyst in Jakarta.
Malaysian analyst Lam Choong Wah also highlighted political affinity: Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s personal rapport with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has bolstered trust. Shared religious identity adds a symbolic layer to the partnership.
Southeast Asia is only the latest frontier. Türkiye’s defence industry has grown explosively over the past decade:
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Exports: From US$1.6 billion in 2013 to US$7.2 billion in 2023, according to official figures.
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Global Share: Its slice of global arms exports rose from 0.8% (2015–2019) to 1.7% (2020–2024), per Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).
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Clients: Turkish drones and ships are now deployed by Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, and the UAE—a sign of credibility in demanding markets.
The growth reflects heavy investment in indigenous systems, from UAVs and missiles to naval platforms and the ambitious KAAN jet. Türkiye’s strategy is clear: become a mid-tier global arms power by offering affordable, combat-proven platforms to states seeking alternatives to the West, Russia, or China.
While Turkish deals excite regional defence establishments, experts stress serious challenges ahead.
- Interoperability Issues
Southeast Asian militaries already operate diverse fleets: Indonesia flies US F-16s, Russian Sukhoi Su-30s, and soon French Rafales. Adding Turkish KAAN fighters will complicate logistics, training, and maintenance.
“How will KAANs operate alongside F-16s and Sukhois?” Rahman asked. “Interoperability is not trivial—it affects readiness.”
- Maintenance Costs and Capacity
Defence budgets often underfund maintenance. New high-tech systems risk becoming “hangar queens” if parts and servicing are neglected.
“Many aircraft in the region have suffered low availability because of poor maintenance funding,” Rahman cautioned.
- Dependence on Western Components
Despite Ankara’s push for self-reliance, critical subsystems in Turkish weapons—such as engines and avionics—still come from US and European suppliers.
Lam noted this vulnerability: “If export licenses are withheld, will Turkish firms provide alternatives? Or will operators be forced to go back to the original manufacturers?”
- Unproven Systems
The KAAN fighter remains in prototype phase, with serial production only expected around 2028. Buyers may hedge bets by retaining older jets until KAAN proves reliable.
“In contrast, systems tested in combat like Bayraktar drones are more easily accepted,” said Khairul. “Countries will watch KAAN’s real-world performance closely before committing further.”
As Türkiye strengthens its footprint, Western suppliers may react—through pricing, conditions, or even restrictions. Regional governments will need to balance these new ties carefully.
Türkiye’s entry adds a new layer of complexity to Southeast Asia’s defence market.
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Capability Boosts: Affordable drones, missiles, and ships enhance immediate operational capacity, especially for surveillance and coastal defence.
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Strategic Hedging: By diversifying suppliers, countries reduce vulnerability to embargoes or political pressure.
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Industrial Growth: Technology transfer deals nurture embryonic local defence industries.
Yet, there are risks of overextension: spreading procurement across too many suppliers can dilute efficiency, create logistical headaches, and strain maintenance budgets.
As Jamil Ghani of Singapore’s RSIS put it: “Turkish partnerships will not displace traditional suppliers overnight. But they add a new layer of complexity—both capability-wise and strategically.”
In the near term, Turkish drones, ships, and missile systems are poised to spread further across the region, benefiting from combat-proven reputations and cost competitiveness. The KAAN fighter jet, however, will be watched with caution until it demonstrates reliability and support sustainability.
For Türkiye, Southeast Asia offers not just contracts but prestige: proving it can compete with traditional suppliers in one of the world’s most dynamic defence markets. For Southeast Asian states, the test will be not only acquiring advanced platforms, but ensuring they can be integrated, maintained, and sustained over decades.
As Khairul warned: “The measure of success will not be the number of platforms purchased, but long-term combat readiness and the ability to keep systems operational.”
