Transportation mode optimization in imports with the analytical hierarchy process method in supply chain management: Defense industry example

The defense industry is of critical importance to the security and economic development of nations. In this sector, where high-value and critical products are transported, the effective management of foreign trade and logistics operations is crucial, especially in terms of the selection of transportation modes. Properly determining the transportation mode plays a vital role in optimizing costs, accelerating processes, and reducing security risks. The aim of this study is to identify the most suitable transportation mode for import processes in defense industry firms, thereby contributing to strategic decision-making based on critical factors such as cost, time, and risk. In this study, the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), one of the multi-criteria decision-making methods, is employed to determine the most appropriate mode of transportation in the defense industry. AHP is an effective method used in multi-criteria decision-making problems, allowing for the comparison of the advantages and disadvantages of different transportation modes to identify the optimal option.In this research, a case study of a company involved in defense industry imports was conducted, evaluating various transportation modes such as sea, road, air, and rail using the AHP method. First, the criteria influencing transportation modes were identified, including transportation cost, transportation time, security, accessibility, transportation capacity, environmental impact, and flexibility. Subsequently, each transportation mode was evaluated based on these criteria, and the decision-making process was optimized. The study concluded that the most significant criterion was transportation time, and the best option was found to be air transportation.