In a landmark development for Türkiye’s defense industry, HAZAR Defense has officially launched its production and export initiative with a new generation of 4×4 armored vehicles, armored personnel carriers, and special-purpose platforms developed entirely using domestically produced armored steel.
Teoman Yıldırım, Chairman of the Board of HAZAR Defense, shared details of the massive production facility to be established in Yalova and revealed the significant contribution the project is expected to make to Türkiye’s defense capabilities.
Teoman Yıldırım stated:
“Türkiye is a country with highly valuable and well-established companies in armored vehicle manufacturing. According to the United Nations Register of Conventional Arms (UNROCA) reports, Türkiye delivered a total of 627 armored vehicles to 10 different countries in 2024. As HAZAR Defense, we will actively participate in production and export processes to make a positive contribution. By making investments that will strengthen our country both economically and strategically, we aim to ensure stability and sustained growth. Our goal is to provide Türkiye not only with economic gains but also with added value in terms of defense capacity and strategic power.”
Teoman Yıldırım: “We Have Started the Production Process for Next-Generation Armored Vehicles”
In his statement, Teoman Yıldırım also shared important details regarding the production process. The next-generation vehicles will undergo ballistic and blast testing and complete all quality control procedures before entering the serial production line. Yıldırım stated:
“We have completed all production processes and have now officially entered the mass production phase.”
Throughout this process, HAZAR Defense aims to position itself ahead of competitors in the sector by utilizing entirely domestically sourced steel. The use of local armored steel is expected to strengthen Türkiye’s defense capabilities while also contributing significantly to the national economy.
National Strength in Defense Through Domestic Steel
HAZAR Defense is drawing attention with a strategy that prioritizes the use of domestically produced steel. Teoman Yıldırım described this initiative with the following words:
“With the use of domestic steel, we aim to significantly increase the localization rate. In this way, the Turkish defense industry will grow stronger, and dependency on foreign sources will decrease.”
This move is considered a critical step for Türkiye’s defense industry. Modular and advanced vehicles will be produced to meet the operational needs of both military units and security forces.
Next-Generation Vehicles: Technology and Modular Design
The next-generation armored vehicles stand out with advanced electronic systems, superior ballistic protection, and modular design features. Teoman Yıldırım emphasized that these vehicles are designed not only for the Turkish Armed Forces but also for the special operational requirements of security units.
The multi-purpose usability of the platforms to be manufactured positions HAZAR Defense as a strategic player within Türkiye’s defense industry.
Economic and Technological Solutions Combined
The company is not solely focused on technological superiority; it is also determined to deliver cost-effective solutions. Teoman Yıldırım underlined HAZAR Defense’s competitive structure by stating:
“We are not focused solely on technology; we also strive to meet demands through economical solutions.”
This approach is expected to contribute to the company’s sustainable success in both domestic and international markets.
A New Actor in Türkiye’s Defense Exports
With its domestically produced armored vehicles, HAZAR Defense aims not only to strengthen Türkiye’s internal defense capacity but also to become an influential player in international markets. The production base in Yalova stands at the center of this vision, attracting considerable attention.
Türkiye’s upward trend in armored vehicle exports is expected to continue. The 627 vehicles delivered in 2024 indicate an approximately 27% increase compared to the 501 units delivered in 2023. Despite fluctuations in previous years, this momentum demonstrates that Türkiye continues to maintain stable growth in defense industry exports.
With HAZAR Defense commencing production under the leadership of Teoman Yıldırım, Türkiye’s position in the global defense industry is expected to grow even stronger.
The power and international impact that these next-generation vehicles will bring to the Turkish defense industry are expected to play a critical role in the country’s economy and strategic defense projects in the coming period.
Under the leadership of Teoman Yıldırım, HAZAR Defense is elevating Türkiye’s national production and technology initiative in the defense industry to a new level. Vehicles manufactured using domestically produced armored steel will provide significant value to the country not only militarily, but also economically and strategically.
