Bamako, the capital of Mali, hosted BAMEX 2025, the first international defense and security exhibition in the country’s history, from November 11 to December 14.[i] This event can be seen as a strategic development that represents a significant change in Mali’s and the Sahel region’s understanding of international relations and security, beyond mere commercial meetings. The most important feature of the fair is that the entire participation is reserved for Turkish defense industry companies, and the Republic of Türkiye plays a vital role as the “Guest of Honor”. This preference shows that Mali has completed the process of distancing itself militarily and politically from its Western allies, especially France. It positions Ankara as a fundamental and reliable partner to meet security needs.
BAMEX 2025 represents an important step in the quest to create an autonomous security architecture in a region plagued by terrorism, political instability, and foreign interventions in West Africa. The main goal of the fair, as stated by the government of Mali, is to build a more secure, sovereign, and resilient Africa. Mali’s goals of strengthening its sovereign rights and achieving concrete results in the fight against terrorism may coincide with the solutions offered by the Turkish defense industry. The Alliance of Sahelian States (AES), together with neighboring countries Burkina Faso and Niger, can serve as a showcase for Mali. At this point, the exhibition in question provides an essential service in defense and security for these three countries and, by extension, for the whole of Africa.
The Secretariat of Defense Industries of the Republic of Türkiye (SSB) has done a very important and remarkable job by undertaking the organization of the fair. About 30 Turkish companies, including the sector’s leading contractors, participated in the event with their stands. In this context, the participation of leading contractors such as ASELSAN, Roketsan, Machinery and Chemical Industry (MKE), OTOKAR, STM, and Baykar[ii] demonstrates that Türkiye offers a holistic defense strategy rather than individual products to both Mali and representatives from different African countries participating in this fair. The product range is well-positioned to address current threats in the Sahel region and demonstrates that Türkiye has studied the region’s needs in depth.
Another striking feature of the fair is that it is comprehensive, encompassing both demonstration and application. While the products in the companies’ inventories were introduced on the first two days of the fair, their applications were submitted and monitored so that representatives from many African countries could follow up on the next two days. Therefore, Türkiye has had the opportunity to introduce many weapons and new technology products to African military representatives, especially in Mali, practically on the spot. The products tested by military delegations from various African countries received passing marks and were highly praised.[iii] This situation shows that Türkiye can gain more ground in the African market in the near future.
The technologies offered are vital for the asymmetric warfare conditions created by the Sahel’s geography. The main focuses of the fair are unmanned aerial systems, precision-guided munitions, electronic warfare and radar systems, armored combat vehicles, and command-and-control solutions, which are called game changers in the fight against terrorism. ASELSAN’s border security and communication systems can significantly improve the intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capacity of the Mali army in a large and controlled geography. Armored vehicles of various configurations offered by OTOKAR and MKE can significantly improve personnel security against asymmetric threats.
Türkiye is approaching the region far beyond the sale of individual platforms. With this exhibition, we can demonstrate that Ankara offers a holistic, practical concept. The holistic concept also includes the creation of common operational doctrines in the long term, the provision of equipment, training of personnel, maintenance of systems, and the establishment of logistics infrastructure. This holistic strategy can distinguish the Turkish defense industry from other international players. The success of Turkish technology in the field can be seen as a strategic solution for financial management.
The impact of BAMEX 2025 exceeds its Financial limits. Mali left the G5 Sahel, a French-led force, 2 years ago and formed a new defense pact, the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), together with its neighbors Burkina Faso and Niger. These three countries are facing various security threats, including separatist and extremist, as well as a political and diplomatic break from the West. Therefore, at this point, BAMEX 2025, which Türkiye participated as an honored guest, can be assumed to be a real defense summit that brings together the military representatives of the Dec.
These three countries have the opportunity to standardize their defense inventories at the fair. The use of Turkish defense systems (especially UCAV, armored vehicles, and command-and-control systems) as common platforms by the AES bloc can significantly increase the military interoperability of these countries. AES countries can use a joint command center and standard inventory to organize joint operations against cross-border terrorist groups such as JNIM and ISIS-Sahel. This exhibition also has the potential to serve as the technological architect of a regional security bloc led by Türkiye.
In the last two decades, Türkiye’s foreign policy towards the African continent has changed significantly. Continental countries, which strongly emphasize independence and sovereignty, are closely related to Ankara’s idea of African solutions to African problems and its equal partnership approach based on win-win. Türkiye’s attitude, which does not link military and economic cooperation to political preconditions or interference in its internal affairs, elevates it to the position of a reliable and preferred strategic partner. This situation sharply distinguishes Türkiye from the former colonial powers and neocolonial countries.
Turkey’s geopolitical position is essential in the region. Despite being a member of NATO, Ankara can conduct an autonomous foreign policy. This makes Türkiye a flexible and effective actor in a multipolar world. Türkiye is an essential and powerful actor for the traditional power blocs in Africa, especially in the Sahel region. Ankara is an actor in the region that plays an important role in stability, balance, and capacity building, rather than a supplier. For this reason, Türkiye has a role that is both important and distinct within Africa’s security architecture in the 21st century.
As a result, BAMEX 2025 can be seen as an essential step, demonstrating that Türkiye is a growing security player in Africa and is preparing to play an important role in the future of the Sahel. The exhibition in question has strongly announced to the world Mali’s determination to pursue an independent foreign policy and Türkiye’s ability to support this vision. This cooperation will not only bring operational successes in the fight against terrorism but can also directly affect the region’s security and geopolitical balance for the next decade.
[i] “Mali-Armement: BAMEX’2025 s’ouvre à Bamako”, News from Afrique, https://www.newafrique.net/articles/LBPP3SzgBVhfEre4hTbi(Access Date: 15.11.2025).
[ii] “Mali : BAMEX’25, vitrine de l’innovation militaire”, YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWMatDD7nx0, (Access Date: 15.11.2025).
[iii] “Türk savunma sanayisi ürünleri Afrika’da geçer not aldı”, AA, https://www.aa.com.tr/tr/ekonomi/turk-savunma-sanayisi-urunleri-afrikada-gecer-not-aldi/3744128, (Access Date: 15.11.2025).
