According to the 2025 data, a year in which the Turkish defense industry broke export records, Samsun Yurt Savunma (SYS Group) once again certified its title as “Türkiye’s largest private-sector exporter of firearms.”
SYS Group, one of the representatives of the Turkish defense industry in international markets, was honored within the scope of the 5th Global Strategies Conference in the Defense & Aerospace Industry, held in Antalya on 30–31 January 2026. At the event, which took place during a period when global trade balances are shifting and geopolitical uncertainties are increasing, the sector’s 2025 export performance and future targets were evaluated.
Private Sector Leadership in Weapons Manufacturing
At the award ceremony held as part of the conference, SYS received the second-place award in the “Weapon Systems and Ammunition Product Group” category. Standing out among manufacturers in its category with the title of “weapons manufacturer,” the company reiterated its position as the leading private-sector exporter of firearms with this achievement. On behalf of SYS Group, the award was presented to Business Development and Marketing Manager Gençay Gençer by President of the Presidency of Defense Industries Haluk Görgün and Minister of Trade Ömer Bolat.
Global Growth and the 2026 Vision
Commenting on the award, SYS Group CEO Cahit Utku Aral stated that the production journey that began in Samsun has today gained a global dimension with facilities in the United States and the United Kingdom. Emphasizing that the CANiK brand represents Türkiye in more than 80 countries, Aral noted that despite leaving behind a challenging year marked by deepening geopolitical polarization, they are proud to be the largest private-sector firearms manufacturer at a time when the Turkish defense and aerospace industry has surpassed the 10 billion USD threshold. Aral also stated that they are planning the future with a high value-added and export-oriented strategy, announcing a consolidated revenue target exceeding 300 million USD for 2026.
Source: C4Defence / SYS Group
