Türkiye’s biggest defense exporter, ARCA Defense, capped a busy day at the SAHA Expo 2026 International Defence, Aerospace and Space Industry Exhibition in Istanbul with a trio of contract signings that cement the company’s growing reach across Europe.
At a ceremony held on the floor of the Istanbul Fair Center, ARCA inked two munitions production agreements: one with VTIC for artillery ammunition, and a second with GMP covering the 122mm Rocket 40KM system. VTIC CEO Petar Vasilev and GMP CEO Marc Morales attended alongside ARCA General Manager İlknur Dutak Pamir.
The third and most consequential deal of the day was the formal signing of the Estonia factory agreement. ARCA Baltics Operations — ARCA’s Estonian subsidiary — will build a €300 million ammunition facility at the Põhja-Kiviõli defense industry park, focused primarily on 155mm artillery rounds, mortar munitions of various calibers, and 122mm rockets. The plant is expected to be operational by 2028 and to create up to 1,000 jobs. Estonian Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur said the deal represents a major investment for Estonia and praised ARCA’s long-range artillery ammunition production capabilities.
The day’s signings were rounded out by a logistics cooperation protocol between ARCA Savunma and OMSAN Lojistik, an OYAK company, under which OMSAN will handle all of ARCA’s national and international maritime transport and port operations.
The flurry of deals reflects ARCA’s rapid ascent within the global munitions market. Certified as Turkey’s “Export Champion” in 2025, the company operates fully integrated production facilities spanning from energetic material synthesis through to multi-caliber rockets and advanced munitions. ARCA’s export volume last year exceeded €3 billion, with approximately 5,000 employees across nine factories.
ARCA board member Özgür Rodoplu, speaking at SAHA 2026, described the company’s business model as one in which legacy munitions are procured from Turkish Armed Forces inventories, exported, and replaced with newly manufactured rounds — a cycle that simultaneously renews military stockpiles and drives revenue growth.
SAHA Expo 2026 runs through May 9 at the Istanbul Fair Center.
