Istanbul:Trkiye has announced its readiness to expand defense industry cooperation with Saudi Arabia, supported by a vast array of over 1,400 projects and a $120 billion portfolio. This statement was made by Haluk Gorgun, the head of the Secretariat of Defense Industries (SSB), during the Trkiye-Saudi Arabia Defense Industry Days event in Istanbul.
According to Anadolu Agency – English, the event was organized by Trkiye's Foreign Economic Relations Board (DEIK), defense industry cluster SAHA Istanbul, and Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI). It was attended by notable figures such as Saudi Minister of State and Acting Governor of the General Authority for Military Industries (GAMI) Bandar Al-Khorayef, Trkiye's Deputy Industry and Technology Minister Cetin Ali Donmez, and Istanbul Governor Davut Gul.
Gorgun highlighted the strong defense ecosystem Trkiye has developed over the past 20 years and expressed the country's intent to co-develop this model with friendly nations. He revealed that Turkish officials have engaged in numerous meetings with Saudi counterparts, including entities like GAMI, SAMI, and the General Authority for Defense Development (GADD), to support Riyadh's Vision 2030 goal of achieving a 50% localization in defense production.
Furthermore, Saudi Minister Bandar Al-Khorayef emphasized the deep-rooted cooperation between Trkiye and Saudi Arabia, which extends beyond industry to include shared efforts like the G20 and the Makkah Agreement. He noted that Saudi Arabia's defense localization rate has increased significantly, with a target of 50% under Vision 2030, facilitated by technology transfer and long-term partnerships. Al-Khorayef also mentioned incentives in place to attract investors and build a globally competitive defense industry.
Deputy Industry and Technology Minister Cetin Ali Donmez shared insights into Trkiye's economic growth, noting a significant rise in high-technology exports and a robust R&D ecosystem. He highlighted the surge in defense and aerospace exports, as well as state support for R&D centers and projects.
Istanbul Governor Davut Gul underscored Istanbul's role as a global trade hub and the city's contribution to enhancing defense industry clustering. Meanwhile, SAHA Istanbul Vice Chairman Murat Ikinci emphasized the importance of bilateral defense cooperation in achieving industrialization and technological deepening goals, and the potential for joint R&D in various advanced technological fields.