AGP Executive Report

Talent Drain: Türkiye’s university graduate brain-drain rate hit 2.2% in 2025, its highest since 2015. ICT graduates led at 7%, and Germany was the top destination. Electric Mobility: Togg unveiled an amber-themed special edition of its T10F fastback, while work continues on a lower-cost B-SUV planned for 2027. Clean Energy: A UNDP official urged faster investment in green projects at an Istanbul summit ahead of COP31, citing falling solar and battery costs but persistent financing barriers. Nuclear Power: Canada’s AtkinsRéalis is pursuing a role in Türkiye’s planned nuclear projects, with a feasibility study underway for Candu reactors at Sinop. Space and Aviation: Türkiye plans to invest about $2 billion in the sector over the next three years; satellite-maker Fergani has also deployed its sixth satellite.

Startup Ambitions: Türkiye aims to reach 100,000 startups and $100 billion in combined “Turcorn” valuations by 2030. The technology sector has grown to more than 13,000 companies across 115 technoparks, while annual R&D spending has climbed to about $20 billion. Electric Vehicles: Togg unveiled an amber-inspired special edition of its dual-motor T10F fastback; the company is also preparing a lower-cost SUV for 2027. Space and Industry: Türkiye plans to invest more than $2 billion in space and aviation over the next three years, while a new domestic ultrasound manufacturing facility is also planned. Talent Drain: The share of Turkish university graduates living abroad rose to 2.2% in 2025. Information technology graduates had the highest rate, at 7%, followed by engineering, manufacturing and construction at 4.8%; Germany is now their top destination. Startup Ecosystem: Founders who left gaming company Peak have built 82 startups that have raised a combined $914 million.

Canada–Türkiye Tech Ties: The two countries launched a strategic partnership and free-trade talks, with advanced technology among the sectors targeted for closer cooperation. Space and Data Infrastructure: Türkiye plans to invest more than $2 billion in space and aviation over three years, while a $4.1 billion data-centre campus is planned for Ankara. Homegrown Health Tech: Türkiye plans to establish a domestic ultrasound manufacturing facility. AI and Connectivity: The country’s AI startup count has topped 500, and broadband subscriptions have passed 100 million for the first time. COP31: Türkiye says next year’s climate summit will focus on putting policies into action, linking national priorities with financing and bringing researchers, businesses and local authorities into the work.

Canada-Türkiye Technology Ties: The countries’ new strategic partnership includes cooperation in advanced technology, aerospace and energy, alongside plans for free-trade talks. Space and Aviation: Türkiye plans to invest more than $2 billion in the sectors over three years, while Fergani has deployed its sixth test satellite into orbit. Data Centers: Construction has begun on a 22-megawatt Ankara data center project, part of a campus valued at $4.1 billion. Health Technology: Türkiye plans to establish a domestic ultrasound manufacturing facility. Digital Growth: Broadband subscriptions have topped 100 million, and the country’s AI startup count has surpassed 500. Climate Research: A study linked Istanbul’s deadly floods to human-driven climate change as Türkiye prepares to host COP31.

Medical Technology: Türkiye plans a domestic ultrasound factory, targeting at least 71% local content through a technology-transfer partnership with South Korea’s Samsung Medison. Space and Aviation: The government plans to invest more than $2 billion in the sector over three years, while Fergani deployed its sixth test satellite into orbit. Digital Infrastructure: Türkiye announced a $4.1 billion data-centre campus in Ankara, and broadband subscriptions have topped 100 million for the first time. Defence Research: Türkiye, Qatar, Pakistan and Indonesia signed the Badr agreement to pursue joint production, training, research and development. Archaeology: Excavations at Kültepe-Kaniş in Kayseri uncovered the site’s first known Hellenistic mosaic-floored structure, alongside four layers from the period.

Space: Türkiye’s Fergani deployed its sixth test satellite into orbit aboard a SpaceX mission, extending the country’s growing space programme. Digital Infrastructure: Türkiye announced a $4.1 billion investment in an Ankara data-center campus as it seeks to build its role as a regional digital hub. Defense Technology: Türkiye, Qatar, Pakistan and Indonesia signed the Badr agreement to expand cooperation in defense manufacturing, technical training, research and development. Nuclear Energy: Hydraulic strength tests have been completed at Akkuyu nuclear plant’s first unit, marking progress on the project.

Space Technology: Türkiye’s Fergani launched its sixth test satellite, FRG-100D4, aboard SpaceX’s Bandwagon-5 mission. The 590-kilometer-orbiting spacecraft includes locally developed components and an AI-powered computer. Defence Innovation: HAVELSAN demonstrated an unmanned surface vessel launching an armed drone to strike a target, linking two Turkish-made systems under a shared command platform. Industry Partnerships: Türkiye, Pakistan, Qatar and Indonesia plan a defence-industry agreement focused on joint production, technology transfer and supply chains. Nuclear Engineering: Hydraulic strength tests at Akkuyu’s first unit raised pressure in the reactor’s primary circuit to 1.5 times normal operating levels.

AI in Aviation: Pegasus Airlines has launched a partnership to bring agentic voice AI into guest services, aiming to resolve common requests during calls and expand to 10 use cases by mid-2027. Data Centre Push: Türkiye has broken ground on a 22-megawatt Ankara data centre complex as it seeks to strengthen its digital infrastructure. Startup Scene: The number of AI startups in Türkiye has climbed above 500, reflecting fast growth in the country’s AI sector. Aerospace Manufacturing: Turkish Aerospace is preparing a larger production line for its ANKA III drone, supporting plans to scale domestic aircraft manufacturing. Ancient Discovery: A shipwreck off Antalya, dated to around 4,700 years ago, is offering clues to early Mediterranean trade.

Data Infrastructure: Türkiye has broken ground on a $4.1 billion data-centre complex in Ankara, part of a wider push to make the country a regional hub for cloud computing. Its 2030 target is at least 1 gigawatt of data-centre capacity. AI Growth: The number of AI startups in Türkiye has topped 500, while a new study of 847 outpatients at Gazi University found that stronger digital-health skills were linked to more use of professional care, not less. Aerospace and Robotics: Turkish Aerospace is preparing a larger production line for its ANKA III drone, and international students won TEKNOFEST’s AI aviation competition. Archaeology: Underwater researchers off Antalya say pottery from a wreck near Kekova may date to 2700–2400 BCE, potentially making it the oldest known shipwreck site; the vessel itself has not survived, and the dating remains debated.

Digital Infrastructure: Türkiye has broken ground on a 22-megawatt data center near Ankara, a project planned to attract $4.1 billion in investment across its phases and boost the country’s cloud and AI capacity. AI and Connectivity: The number of AI startups in Türkiye has topped 500, while the mobile subscriber base is forecast to reach 105 million by 2027. Aerospace and Defence: Turkish Aerospace is preparing an expanded production line for its ANKA III drone, and a domestically developed electric armoured personnel carrier has entered military service. Climate and Environment: As Türkiye prepares to host COP31 in Antalya, reports warn that drought is drying up Salt Lake, while warming Mediterranean sands are shifting the sex balance of sea turtle hatchlings.

Underwater Archaeology: Researchers off Antalya have identified a 4,400–4,700-year-old shipwreck, potentially the world’s oldest known. Its cargo includes more than 30 storage pots and three stone anchors, offering clues to ancient Mediterranean trade. Climate Science: Warming sands on Türkiye’s Mediterranean coast are producing more female sea turtle hatchlings, researchers warn. The turtles will be a focus at COP31, which Türkiye hosts next month. Drone Threats: Suspected Russian drone strikes have hit at least six commercial ships in the Black Sea in 10 days, with attacks reaching waters near NATO members Bulgaria and Romania and raising fresh concerns for shipping safety. Forensic Technology: Turkish police say modern analysis of DNA, phone records, surveillance footage and other data helped solve 60 cold-case murders in the first nine months of 2026. Transport Investment: Türkiye plans to spend more than $20 billion on transport and logistics in 2027, with railways receiving the largest share and funding for information and communications also set to rise.

Forensic Technology: Turkish police and gendarmerie solved 60 cold-case murders in the first nine months of 2026, using DNA analysis, surveillance footage, phone records and other data to revisit old investigations. Transport Investment: Türkiye plans to spend more than $20 billion on transport and logistics in 2027. Railways receive the largest share, while funding for maritime transport and information and communications is set to rise sharply. Energy: The Osman Gazi floating gas platform has sailed to the Sakarya field in the Black Sea, aiming to help double domestic gas output. Geothermal: Ahead of COP31, the head of the International Geothermal Association says Türkiye can showcase its expertise and attract investment by promoting geothermal energy beyond electricity generation. Archaeology: Divers have found a shipwreck off Antalya estimated to be 4,400 to 4,700 years old, potentially the world’s oldest, with its cargo offering clues to ancient seafaring.

Energy Exploration: Somalia’s president visited Türkiye’s Çağrı Bey drillship during the country’s first offshore exploration campaign, a major test of Turkish deep-sea drilling capabilities. Archaeology: A 4,400–4,700-year-old shipwreck found off Antalya may be the world’s oldest; its cargo could shed light on ancient trade. Defense Technology: Türkiye’s defense and aerospace exports topped $10 billion in 2025. ASELSAN has confirmed plans for a satellite constellation, MKE demonstrated a laser weapon against a drone, and Turkish Aerospace is expanding Anka 3 production. Health Research: A Turkish study found similar psychological challenges among girls with early breast development, whether linked to puberty or a benign condition. Climate and Ecology: Drought and agricultural groundwater pumping are shrinking Salt Lake, threatening flamingos, tourism and a major source of Türkiye’s salt.

Research: A study in Türkiye found that reading fluency was strongly linked to adults’ ability to reason about what other people believe, pointing to a possible role for literacy in social thinking. Energy Transition: Wind and solar now make up a third of Türkiye’s installed power capacity, and the country aims to triple their combined capacity to 120 gigawatts by 2035. Archaeology: Divers near Kekova Island, Antalya, uncovered a shipwreck dated to around 4,700 years ago, with ceramic jars that may reveal Bronze Age trade routes. Aviation: Turkish Airlines signed a memorandum with CFM for more than 300 engines for its Boeing 737 MAX fleet, alongside maintenance support for over 600 engines and plans for an engine-service facility in Türkiye. Offshore Exploration: Somalia’s president visited Türkiye’s Çağrı Bey drillship at the Curad-1 well, marking a milestone in Türkiye’s first deep-sea exploration project outside its own waters.

High-Value Exports: At Türkiye Innovation Week in Istanbul, officials said export value averaged $1.73 per kilogram in September, reaching $61.50 in defence. President Erdoğan said defence and aerospace exports topped $10 billion in 2025 and set a 2030 target of 100,000 technology startups worth $100 billion. Defence Technology: MKE says its laser weapon brought down a drone in live-fire drills, while Turkish Aerospace is expanding production of upgraded Anka 3 drones. Clean Energy: Wind and solar now make up a third of Türkiye’s installed power capacity, with a target of 120 gigawatts by 2035. A first offshore wind project is targeted for launch in 2030–32. Next-Generation Networks: Turkcell and TÜBİTAK have tested locally developed 6G solutions for the first time, advancing Türkiye’s push to build domestic telecom technology.

Defense Technology: MKE’s 20-kilowatt laser weapon downed a drone at 760 metres in a live-fire test. Turkish Aerospace has also completed a second Anka 3 production line for an upgraded model designed to carry more munitions. Aviation: Turkish Airlines, Turkish Technic and CFM signed an agreement covering more than 600 LEAP-1B engines, alongside support for a planned engine-maintenance facility in Türkiye. Archaeology: Divers off Antalya have found pottery from a shipwreck believed to date back 4,400–4,700 years. If confirmed, it could be the oldest known wreck and offer clues to Bronze Age trade. Climate: Drought and heavy groundwater use are threatening Tuz Gölü, a vital flamingo breeding site that nearly dried up this summer. Next-Generation Networks: Turkcell and TÜBİTAK have tested locally developed 6G solutions for the first time.