Türkiye, Kenya sign defence cooperation agreement at Istanbul defence expo

Türkiye and Kenya signed a defence cooperation agreement on Wednesday during the SAHA 2026 International Defence and Aerospace Exhibition in Istanbul.

Turkish National Defence Minister Yasar Guler met Kenyan Defence Minister Roselinda Soipan Tuya at the event, where Anadolu is serving as the global communications partner.

Following the meeting at the Istanbul Expo Center, the two ministers signed an agreement aimed at strengthening defence cooperation between the countries.

SAHA 2026, organised by SAHA Istanbul, brings together defence and aerospace companies, procurement officials, military delegations, and industry representatives from Türkiye and abroad.

Türkiye’s defence and aviation exports jumps 28%

Meanwhile, Türkiye’s defence and aviation exports in the first four months of the year topped $2.8 billion, jumping 28% from the same period last year, the nation’s trade minister said Wednesday.

Speaking to reporters at the SAHA 2026 International Defence and Aerospace Exhibition in Istanbul, Omer Bolat said Türkiye’s defence and aviation exports had climbed from $248 million over the past two decades to $10.05 billion last year alone.

“This year, we have a 28% increase in the first four months. We topped $2.8 billion,” Bolat said, adding that last year the sector passed the $10 billion export threshold for the first time.

The fair, organised by SAHA Istanbul -- Türkiye’s and Europe’s largest industrial cluster in the defence, aviation, and space sectors -- is being held with Anadolu as its global communication partner. It runs through Saturday.