Turkish Aerospace Signs Strategic Agreement for Joint Production in Saudi Arabia
RIYADH – Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) has officially entered into a significant cooperation agreement with key Saudi Arabian government entities to establish joint production capabilities within the Kingdom. The company announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Saudi Ministry of Investment and the General Authority for Military Industries (GAMI), marking a major step forward in defense industrial ties between Turkey and Saudi Arabia.
The agreement was formalized during a high-profile signing ceremony, underscoring the growing strategic partnership between the two nations’ defense sectors. According to the statement released by Turkish Aerospace, the MOU specifically covers the “joint production of our platforms in Saudi Arabia.” This move aligns with TAI’s strategy to expand its global footprint while contributing to the local industrial capabilities of its partners.
For Saudi Arabia, this partnership represents a critical advancement in its Vision 2030 initiative. A central pillar of this national transformation plan is the localization of the defense sector, with a specific target to localize more than 50 percent of the Kingdom’s military spending by the year 2030. The General Authority for Military Industries (GAMI) serves as the regulator, enabler, and licensor for the Kingdom’s military industry and is tasked with building a sustainable domestic defense sector. By partnering with an established original equipment manufacturer (OEM) like Turkish Aerospace, GAMI aims to facilitate the transfer of technology and expertise required to build complex aerial platforms domestically.
The Saudi Ministry of Investment plays a pivotal role in this tripartite agreement by providing the necessary investment framework and incentives to support the establishment of manufacturing facilities. This collaboration is expected to create high-skilled jobs within Saudi Arabia, foster a local supply chain, and enhance the Kingdom’s autonomy in defense procurement.
Turkish Aerospace is a global player in the aviation industry, known for its development of indigenous platforms including the T129 ATAK helicopter, the GÖKBEY general-purpose helicopter, the HÜRJET advanced jet trainer, and the KAAN next-generation fighter. While the initial announcement used the broad term “platforms,” industry analysts suggest that the agreement could pave the way for the local assembly and manufacturing of rotary-wing assets or unmanned aerial systems, which are in high demand across the region.
This latest MOU follows a trajectory of warming relations and increased economic cooperation between Ankara and Riyadh. In recent years, both capitals have prioritized joint defense projects as a cornerstone of their bilateral relationship. The successful implementation of this agreement is expected to not only boost the operational readiness of the Saudi armed forces but also cement Turkish Aerospace’s position as a key supplier and partner in the Gulf region’s defense market.
* birgun.net
* aksam.com.tr
* star.com.tr
* yeniufuk.com.tr
* savunmatr.com
