Najmuddin A. Farooqi.
For decades, Muslim-majority countries have often been portrayed as technologically dependent on Western, Russian or Chinese military suppliers. This perception, however, no longer reflects reality. Over the past twenty years, geopolitical pressure, sanctions, supply-chain vulnerabilities and the pursuit of strategic autonomy have driven many Islamic nations to invest heavily in indigenous defense production. Today, several of these countries design, manufacture and even export advanced military systems across land, air and naval domains. Nonetheless having state of the art and best equipped armies’ history reminds that almost none of these country have ever initiated armed aggression against any other countries as almost all amongst them follow the Sunnah of the prophet Mohammadﷺ.
This article presents an alphabetic illustrative and not exhaustive country-wise overview of indigenous military capabilities across key Muslim-majority nations, highlighting a profound shift from dependency to self-reliance.
Algeria: North Africa’s Industrial Defense Anchor
Algeria possesses one of Africa’s most robust defense industrial bases. Its military production focuses on territorial defense, counterterrorism and regional stability.
Land Systems: Indigenous and licensed production of armored vehicles, military trucks, artillery and infantry weapons.
Naval Systems: Construction of patrol vessels and naval support ships for Mediterranean and coastal defense.
Aerial Systems: Maintenance and partial manufacturing of aircraft and helicopter components, alongside UAVs for border surveillance.
Algeria’s defense industry reflects long-term state investment and strategic partnerships, making it a key military producer in North Africa.
Bangladesh: Gradual and Sustainable Defense Growth
Bangladesh’s defense industry is modest but steadily expanding, aimed at affordability, peacekeeping support and self-reliance.
Land Systems: Production of small arms, ammunition, light armored vehicles and tactical transport platforms.
Naval Systems: Indigenous construction of patrol boats, landing craft and support vessels.
Aerial Systems: UAV development for reconnaissance, disaster response and internal security.
Bangladesh’s approach emphasizes sustainability rather than power projection.
Egypt: Historic Industrial Depth and Strategic Geography
Egypt hosts one of the oldest military-industrial bases in the Muslim world, anchored by the Arab Organization for Industrialization.
Land Systems: Armored vehicles, artillery and infantry weapons manufactured domestically.
Naval Systems: Indigenous patrol vessels and licensed assembly of larger warships.
Aerial Systems: Aircraft maintenance, upgrades and partial component manufacturing.
Egypt’s strategic location, manpower and decades of experience underpin its enduring defense industrial relevance.
Indonesia: Southeast Asia’s Emerging Defense Producer
As the world’s largest Muslim-majority nation, Indonesia is steadily expanding indigenous defense production to reduce external dependence.
Land Systems: Harimau (Kaplan) medium tank, jointly developed with Türkiye.
Naval Systems: Indigenous construction of patrol vessels, corvettes and landing ships.
Aerial Systems: Transport aircraft programs and growing UAV development.
Indonesia prioritizes regional defense autonomy and collaborative development over rapid militarization.
Iran: Sanctions-Driven Military Self-Sufficiency
Decades of sanctions forced Iran to develop a highly self-reliant defense industry, focused on deterrence and asymmetric warfare.
Land Systems: Indigenous tanks, armored vehicles, rocket artillery and infantry weapons.
Aerial Systems: Mohajer and Shahed UAV families, emphasizing endurance and strike capability.
Naval Power: Ballistic and cruise missile programs form the core of Iran’s deterrence, supported by indigenous warships and unconventional naval platforms.
Malaysia: Maritime-Focused Indigenous Capability
Malaysia’s defense industry aligns closely with its maritime security needs.
Land Systems: Armored vehicles and troop carriers designed for jungle and urban warfare.
Naval Systems: Indigenous construction of Littoral Combat Ships and patrol vessels.
Aerial Systems: Aircraft maintenance, limited component production and surveillance UAVs.
Malaysia emphasizes sustainment and coastal defense rather than offensive power projection.
Pakistan: Balanced Strategic Deterrence
Pakistan maintains one of the most comprehensive and balanced defense industries in the Islamic world.
Land Systems: Al-Khalid main battle tank, artillery, armored vehicles and infantry weapons produced at Heavy Industries Taxila and Pakistan Ordnance Factories.
Aerial Systems: JF-17 Thunder multirole fighter and indigenous UAV programs.
Naval Systems: Local assembly of warships and submarines with increasing technology transfer.
Pakistan’s industry prioritizes affordability, survivability and export potential.
Saudi Arabia: Vision 2030-Driven Localization
Saudi Arabia is rapidly transforming its defense sector under Vision 2030, aiming to localize over half of its military spending.
Land Systems: Local production and assembly of armored vehicles and ground systems.
Aerial & Missile Systems: UAVs, missile components and electronic warfare systems
Industrial Structure: Saudi Arabian Military Industries consolidates defense manufacturing.
Türkiye: The Technological Leader of the Muslim World
Türkiye has built the most comprehensive indigenous defense ecosystem among Muslim-majority nations.
Land Systems: Altay main battle tank, COBRA II armored vehicles, T-155 Fırtına artillery and T-122 Sakarya MLRS.
Aerial Systems: Bayraktar TB2 and Akıncı UCAVs, Kargı loitering munitions, and the TF-KAAN fifth-generation stealth fighter.
Naval & Missile Systems: Indigenous naval guns, precision-guided munitions, air-to-air missiles and advanced rocket systems.
Companies such as ASELSAN, Baykar, TUSAŞ and Roketsan rank among the world’s top defense producers, making Türkiye the backbone of indigenous military innovation in the Islamic world.
United Arab Emirates: Precision Warfare and Global Reach
The UAE has emerged as a fast-rising defense innovator through the EDGE Group.
Core Capabilities: UAVs, precision-guided munitions, electronic warfare and advanced MRO services.
Global Partnerships: Missile development with Brazil and acquisitions in European aerospace firms.
Strategic Vision: Leadership in next-generation and network-centric warfare technologies.
EDGE’s growth reflects the UAE’s ambition to become a global defense technology hub.
Conclusion: A Multipolar Islamic Defense Ecosystem
The indigenous military capabilities of Muslim-majority nations now form a diverse and multipolar ecosystem. Türkiye leads technologically; Pakistan anchor strategic deterrence; Gulf states drive capital-intensive innovation; Southeast Asia advances steadily; North Africa focuses on territorial defense and the Caucasus demonstrates combat-driven modernization.
Collectively, these developments dismantle the myth of perpetual dependency. The Muslim world is no longer merely importing weapons it is designing, manufacturing, exporting and shaping the future of modern warfare through indigenous military power.
