Which didn't stop the US and other western countries to embargo them after their invasion of northern Cyprus (yes it was in 1974, but it's when the Turkish domestic defense sector really started so it's not irrelevant even if it's 50 years old).

Survivor bias

Turkey’s defense advances took decades and came with major setbacks

Not to mention many NATO incompatibilities

Just look at all the other sanctioned countries

You're just moving the goalpost here.

And if you want to look at other sanctioned countries, just look at how NK or Iran's industry fares compared to their economic peers …

I’m not moving it just showing how Turkey is different when compared to other sanctioned non NATO countries.