Organized for the first time this year, the event aims to strengthen Türkiye’s expanding defense partnerships across Africa, reflecting the continent’s growing trust in Turkish-made defense solutions.
The Malian government has invited over 50 countries, mostly from Africa, to participate in the exhibition, which is being organized by the Turkish company The Peak Defense. Preparations are underway in Bamako and surrounding areas, with African media describing the expo as a “breakthrough event” for introducing advanced Turkish technologies to the continent.
Leading Turkish defense firms — including Baykar, Aselsan, Roketsan, MKE, STM, Kalekalip, 3E, Sarsilmaz, Atlas, ESSAV, SkyDagger, ZSR, Akincilar, and Akdas Silah — will showcase their products at the expo.
The Alliance of Sahel States (AES) — comprising Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger — and the Malian army will also participate with official booths. The final two days of the event will be “demo days,” during which international delegations and experts will have the opportunity to test Turkish defense products in a designated special operations zone.
Mali, with its vast and difficult-to-control borders, is among the African nations seeking advanced defense technologies such as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), armored vehicles, and radar systems.
In recent years, Turkish defense companies have gained significant traction across Africa, offering affordable, reliable, and well-supported systems. From UAVs to armored vehicles, Turkish products are now widely used by several African militaries to enhance their operational capabilities.
Experts note that the combination of cost-effectiveness, training support, and proven field performance continues to make Türkiye an increasingly preferred defense partner for African nations.