Saudi and Turkish firms establish new defense industry collaborations

A Houthi drone being launched against Saudi Arabia in February 2022
A Houthi drone being launched against Saudi Arabia in February 2022

State-owned Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI) said early on Thursday it signed three memorandums of understanding (MOUs) with Turkish companies to "support the localization of defense industries" in the kingdom.

In a statement, SAMI said it agreed with Turkey's drone maker Baykar to "establish manufacturing capabilities" and develop systems for Baykar's unmanned aerial vehicles in Saudi Arabia.

It also agreed with Turkish aerospace and defense company Aselsan ASELS.IS to explore opportunities for developing defense electronics technologies in the kingdom.

In addition, SAMI signed a preliminary agreement with Turkey's Fergani Space for the "development of emerging technologies in the kingdom to serve the global space sector," the statement said.

While Turkish defense companies need international customers and exports, Saudi Arabia faces threats from Iran-backed Houthis that have been in conflict with the Kingdom for nearly a decade. In addition, military drones have become an important weapons system in modern warfare and play a major role in the war in Ukraine.

With reporting by Reuters