Once upon a time, foreign policy was largely shaped at the negotiating table. Today, however, unmanned aerial vehicles, air defense systems, warships, and advanced technology production capabilities also take their place alongside the table. This is because in the 21st century, the defense industry has become one of the key determinants not only of national security but also of economic influence, diplomatic clout, and global power projection. Defense technologies now shape not only battlefields but also the international relations of states.

The export of weapons and defense technologies fosters long-term relationships among states involving training, maintenance, technology transfer, and joint production, while these networks also strengthen political ties between countries. For this reason, competition in the defense industry today signifies not only technological superiority but also a struggle for global influence.

DEFENSE PRODUCTS HAVE A LASTING IMPACT ON DIPLOMACY 

Underlying this transformation are shifting security balances. In particular, regional conflicts and rising geopolitical tensions in recent years have led many countries to increase their defense spending, while domestic production capacity and reliable supply chains have become strategic priorities. Countries that export defense products not only generate economic revenue but also position themselves as long-term partners in the recipient countries' security architecture. Thus, defense products create a lasting impact that extends beyond traditional diplomacy.

Türkiye has also emerged as a key player in this transformation. Advances made in recent years in unmanned aerial vehicles, armored ground vehicles, naval platforms, electronic warfare systems, and missile technologies have made the Turkish defense industry more visible in the international market. The export of defense products to various regions stands out as a key diplomatic tool that not only generates economic gains for Türkiye but also deepens its bilateral relations. The international cooperation strategies of the Presidency of the Defense Industries and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ inclusion of defense products in diplomatic outreach activities demonstrate that this approach has become an institutional policy. However, the effectiveness of the defense industry as a foreign policy tool is not measured solely by export figures. Technology development capacity, compliance with export controls, international reliability, and a sustainable production infrastructure also constitute key elements of this effectiveness. In the future, one of the factors that will determine countries’ positions as global powers will not be merely how many weapons they produce, but rather the diplomatic vision with which they support these technologies.