Turkey's Defence Industry Agency launches drone‑hunter procurement and broader tech roadmap

Turkey’s Defence Industry Agency (SSB) issued a procurement call for counter‑UAV systems capable of neutralising NATO Class 1 and 2 mini, micro and tactical drones. The Information Request Document, due 31 July 2026, requires solutions with a Technology Readiness Level of at least 6 and outlines methods such as kinetic impact, fragmented destruction or net capture. Three domestic offerings were highlighted: STM’s TUNGA‑X, a rotor‑craft capable of 300 km/h, 25 km range and 5 000 m altitude; Skydagger’s Avcı Dron; and Han Robotics’ TAYGAN system.

At the same NATO summit, SSB presented a wider defence‑technology strategy, noting more than 1 100 projects under its “Future‑Facing Technology and Capability Development” programme. The plan calls for a nationwide supply‑chain built around 81 cities, involving SMEs, universities and technoparks, to reduce foreign dependence. Key focus areas include artificial intelligence, swarm UAVs, quantum technologies, directed‑energy (laser) weapons and space‑based defence systems, aiming to sustain and modernise domestically produced platforms.