Türkiye’s defense industry sees engineers returning, minister says
In the TBMM (Turkish Grand National Assembly) Plan and Budget Committee, Minister of National Defense Yasar Guler, Ankara, Türkiye, Nov. 26, 2024 (AA Photo)
Türkiye’s National Defense Minister Yasar Guler shared insights into trends in the country’s defense industry workforce, highlighting a significant drop in the number of engineers leaving leading defense companies and a notable rise in those returning from abroad.
This reflects shifts in industry dynamics across key firms like Aselsan, TAI, Roketsan and Havelsan.
| Year | Engineers Leaving | Engineers Returning | Net Outflow |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 624 | 45 | 579 |
| 2023 | 261 | 81 | 180 |
| 2024 | 217 | 211 | 6 |
| Total | 1,102 | 337 | 765 |
Reasons for trends
Guler highlighted several factors influencing this shift:
- Challenges abroad:
- Family struggles with integration and adaptation.
- Limited opportunities to work with cutting-edge technology.
- Career advancement hurdles, as managerial roles often favor local workers.
- Rising nationalism and xenophobia in host countries.
- Improving domestic conditions:
- A rapidly advancing defense industry with greater opportunities.
- Disillusionment overseas:
- Unmet professional expectations and lack of significant career growth.
Guler emphasized that Türkiye’s growing defense sector offers increasing opportunities, making it more attractive for skilled professionals to return. He pointed out that those returning from abroad bring invaluable expertise, further strengthening the industry.
