ISTANBUL, May 10 (Xinhua) -- Modern conflicts are accelerating demand for low-cost, mass-produced autonomous systems and counter-drone technologies, a trend highlighted at Türkiye's largest defense fair, SAHA EXPO, in Istanbul.
At the five-day event that kicked off Tuesday, industry representatives said modern armies are increasingly prioritizing affordable, combat-tested systems amid high equipment losses in recent conflicts.
"The industry is pivoting toward designs that are more cost-effective and scalable for mass production," Mert Nakisli, a technical leader at defense firm Tekatron, told Xinhua.
"Palem" was among the products Tekatron showcased at the event, a 3-tonne tracked unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) currently used by the Turkish Armed Forces. Nakisli said such platforms are increasingly equipped with anti-tank missiles and air defense systems for frontline operations.
The company also introduced a new wheeled UGV concept designed for rapid and large-scale production. "This vehicle is a much more cost-effective concept, designed to be mass-produced," Nakisli said, adding that the platform can carry First-Person View drones and light weapons.
The shift toward low-cost, expendable systems was also evident among other major defense companies. Baykar introduced its "Mosquito" kamikaze drone, a compact system developed for mass production. According to company representatives, the drone uses AI-supported navigation, allowing operations even in environments where GPS signals are disrupted.
Speaking at the fair, Baykar Chairman Selcuk Bayraktar said autonomous systems are reshaping the defense sector, stressing the importance of next-generation technologies and independent production capabilities.
The growing focus on unmanned technologies was also visible in the defense segment. Merve Sanli, business development manager at DASAL Aviation, noted that the ability to neutralize drones has become as critical as deploying them.
At the expo, DASAL introduced its new counter-UAS drone, designed specifically to intercept hostile aircraft. "We are now prioritizing advanced autonomous systems like our new Anti-drone system to protect forces against rapidly evolving aerial threats," Sanli told Xinhua.
As the fair closed on Saturday, industry representatives agreed that modern warfare prioritizes scalable, adaptable systems over costly conventional platforms, emphasizing mass production and autonomous technology in future conflicts. ■
