Türkiye, Saudi Arabia explore joint defence production, technology transfer: official

ملخص مفصل

"Ankara is ready to pursue joint projects with Riyadh, citing a portfolio of around $120 billion and more than 1,400 projects," a top defence official Haluk Gorgun says.

Türkiye is ready to expand defence industry cooperation with Saudi Arabia, backed by over 1,400 projects and a $120 billion portfolio, the country's top defence official has said.

The head of Secretariat of Defense Industries (SSB), Haluk Gorgun, spoke on Thursday at the Türkiye-Saudi Arabia Defence Industry Days in Istanbul, organised by Türkiye's Foreign Economic Relations Board (DEIK), defence industry cluster SAHA Istanbul, and Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI).

Saudi Minister of State and Acting Governor of the General Authority for Military Industries (GAMI) Bandar Al-Khorayef, Türkiye's Deputy Industry and Technology Minister Cetin Ali Donmez, and Istanbul Governor Davut Gul also attended.

"With our nearly 4,500 defence SMEs, over 1,400 projects, a roughly $120 billion portfolio, and our president's mandate, we are ready to take every step we can to develop together," Gorgun said.

Gorgun noted that Türkiye has built a strong defence ecosystem over the past 20 years under President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and aims to co-develop its model with friendly nations.

He said Turkish officials held 75 meetings over the past 3.5 years with Saudi counterparts, including GAMI, SAMI, and the General Authority for Defence Development (GADD).

Gorgun added that Turkish companies are conducting joint work with Saudi partners to support Riyadh's Vision 2030 goal of localising at least 50 percent of defence production.

He also noted that leading Turkish firms and Saudi officials have held meetings on prioritising and establishing defence centres of excellence under Vision 2030.

Al-Khorayef said Türkiye and Saudi Arabia cooperate not only in industry, but also on the basis of brotherhood, highlighting joint efforts in the G20 and the Makkah Agreement.

مطلع المقال، مقتطف من TRT World. لقراءة المقال كاملًا، افتحه على موقع الناشر.