Ankara: Trkiye and Saudi Arabia are set to enhance their cooperation in the defense industry, announced Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The announcement came as Erdogan returned from Egypt, where he highlighted the positive reception of Trkiye's homegrown stealth fighter jet, KAAN. Prototypes of the jet are scheduled to take flight this summer.
According to Anadolu Agency, Erdogan revealed that there is a joint investment with Saudi Arabia concerning the KAAN fighter jet project. He expressed confidence in the partnership's potential to be implemented swiftly. Erdogan described KAAN as a testament to Trkiye's engineering prowess and defense autonomy.
During Erdogan's visits to Riyadh and Cairo, significant defense cooperation agreements were signed with Saudi Arabia, reflecting a growing momentum in joint projects. Erdogan emphasized Trkiye's commitment to addressing its defense needs while supporting allied nations.
The meetings in Saudi Arabia and Egypt were described by Erdogan as productive, highlighting broader cooperation in defense, energy, trade, and regional diplomacy.
In Riyadh, Erdogan and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman signed four agreements and adopted a joint declaration across multiple sectors. Erdogan noted Saudi Arabia's special role in fields such as defense industry cooperation, transportation, health, investment, and contracting services. He mentioned that bilateral trade had reached approximately $8 billion in 2025, with Turkish contractors undertaking projects worth nearly $30 billion in Saudi Arabia. Future collaborations are anticipated, driven by international events like Expo 2030 and the 2034 FIFA World Cup, as well as increased Saudi tourism to Trkiye.
Energy cooperation emerged as another key outcome of the visit, with Trkiye's Energy and Natural Resources Ministry signing an agreement with the Saudi Energy Ministry focused on renewable investments. Saudi firms are set to build solar and wind power plants in Trkiye, with a planned capacity of 5,000 megawatts. Initial projects include two large solar plants, expected to power 2.1 million Turkish households, with construction slated to start in 2027.
Following the Riyadh visit, Erdogan traveled to Cairo at Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi's invitation for the second Trkiye-Egypt High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council meeting. Eight documents, including a joint declaration, were signed during these meetings, and business forums were held in both Riyadh and Cairo.
Erdogan also addressed regional developments, focusing on Palestine and Syria, within the context of regional cooperation. Regarding US-Iran tensions, Erdogan expressed hope for dialogue, having discussed the issue with US President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. He emphasized Trkiye's efforts to prevent regional conflict, advocating for diplomatic solutions.
The situation in Gaza was also addressed, with Erdogan committing to an active role in implementing the Gaza peace plan and ensuring humanitarian aid. He criticized ongoing Israeli attacks and ceasefire violations, urging international pressure on Israel to comply with ceasefire terms. Coordination with Saudi Arabia and Egypt is ongoing to facilitate Gaza's reconstruction.
Erdogan reiterated Trkiye's opposition to new conflicts in the region, stressing the importance of diplomacy and cooperation for sustainable peace. On Syria, he advocated for a unified state and urged compliance with agreements to enhance stability. Trkiye, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt aim to remain engaged in regional diplomatic efforts, particularly concerning Gaza and overall Middle Eastern stability.