Turkish Authorities Arrest Three Defence Executives on Espionage Charges Amidst Soaring Defence Exports

Turkish Defence Executives Arrested on Espionage Charges

Turkish law enforcement officials have taken three senior executives from prominent defence companies into custody, facing grave accusations of espionage on behalf of undisclosed foreign entities. The arrests stem from a targeted operation conducted on November 25, 2025, initiated by the Istanbul public prosecutor's office.

Details of the Operation and Allegations

The operation led to the apprehension of three individuals, all holding influential positions within critical defence sector firms operating in Turkey. An arrest warrant has also been issued for a fourth suspect believed to be currently abroad. Prosecutors allege that the accused were engaged in attempts to furnish foreign nations with sensitive “biographical” data concerning employees within these vital defence enterprises.

Initially, the prosecutor's office’s statement, as reported by AFP, explicitly named the intelligence services of the United Arab Emirates as the beneficiaries of the alleged spying. However, this specific detail was subsequently removed from a revised statement published on X, leaving the identities of the foreign powers unspecified.

Context: Turkey's Booming Defence Sector

These high-profile arrests unfold against a backdrop of significant growth in Turkey’s defence industry. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan recently highlighted a remarkable 29 percent surge in defence exports in 2024, reaching an impressive $7.15 billion. This robust expansion has been largely propelled by the global success and demand for Turkey's advanced military drone technology, positioning the country as a burgeoning player in the international defence market. The alleged espionage incidents underscore potential vulnerabilities and the heightened sensitivity surrounding national security within this rapidly expanding sector.