Makine ve Kimya Endüstrisi AŞ (MKE) and US firearms importer Century Arms signed an export agreement on Thursday, 7 May 2026 covering 12 different semi-automatic rifle models destined for the US market. The deal represents one of the most comprehensive civilian firearms export packages aimed at the United States by Türkiye's state-controlled defence manufacturer.
The signing ceremony took place at the SAHA 2026 International Defence, Aviation and Space Industry Fair at the Istanbul Fair Centre. MKE General Manager İlhami Keleş and Century Arms General Manager Michael Sucher signed the agreement. Deputy Defence Minister and MKE Board Chairman Alpaslan Kavaklıoğlu and Mustafa Varank, chairman of the Turkish Grand National Assembly Industry, Trade, Energy, Natural Resources, Information and Technology Commission, attended the ceremony.
The deal is strategically significant for the Turkish defence industry's deeper integration into the US civilian firearms market. Century Arms, headquartered in Vermont, specialises in importing and distributing semi-automatic rifles and firearms accessories. Under the agreement, the 12 MKE rifle models are to be channelled through Century Arms' distribution network into US retail.
The contract follows Türkiye's defence and aviation export performance of $2.87 billion in the January–April 2026 period. Throughout SAHA 2026, Turkish defence firms inked numerous memoranda and contracts spanning naval interior outfitting, maritime equipment and aviation systems; this rifle export package emerges as one of the most concrete business-to-business trade agreements unveiled at the fair.
Anadolu Agency (AA) participated as the ceremony's Global Communications Partner. Financial terms and delivery schedule were not officially disclosed. MKE has consolidated its position as Türkiye's principal small-arms manufacturer in recent years; Century Arms has served since the 1990s as a bridge for Eastern European and Turkish-origin firearms entering the US market.
Key Takeaways:
1. MKE and US firearms importer Century Arms signed an agreement at SAHA 2026 to export 12 semi-automatic rifle models to the United States.
2. MKE GM İlhami Keleş and Century Arms GM Michael Sucher signed the deal at the Istanbul Fair Centre ceremony.
3. The contract follows Türkiye's $2.87 billion defence and aviation exports for the January–April 2026 period.
4. Vermont-based Century Arms' distribution network will channel the MKE rifles into US retail.
5. Financial value and delivery timetable of the agreement were not officially disclosed.
