Saudi Arabia Agrees to Purchase Turkish Drones in Historic Defense Contract
Jeddah, Saudi Arabia - Saudi Arabia has reached an agreement to purchase Turkish drones in what has become the largest defense contract in Turkey's history. The deal signifies a significant diplomatic achievement for President Tayyip Erdogan, as he successfully repaired ties with Gulf powers and provided a much-needed boost to Turkey's struggling economy.
President Erdogan and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman attended the signing ceremony between Turkish defense firm Baykar and the Saudi defense ministry, as reported by the Saudi state news agency SPA. President Erdogan embarked on a Gulf tour and arrived in the Saudi Red Sea city of Jeddah on Monday, setting the stage for diplomatic discussions.
According to Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman's tweet, Saudi Arabia intends to acquire the drones to enhance the readiness of its armed forces and strengthen its defense and manufacturing capabilities.
Additionally, two acquisition contracts were signed between @modgovksa and @BaykarTech, under which @modgovksa will acquire drones, with the aim of enhancing the readiness of the Kingdom's armed forces and bolstering its defense and manufacturing capabilities.
— Khalid bin Salman خالد بن سلمان (@kbsalsaud) July 18, 2023
While the value of the deal was not disclosed by SPA, Haluk Bayraktar, the CEO of Baykar, stated that it is the largest defense and aviation export contract in Turkey's history. In a Twitter post, Bayraktar announced, "We signed a contract with the Saudi Arabian defense ministry for the Bayraktar Akinci (unmanned combat aerial vehicle) export and cooperation."
Suudi Arabistan Savunma Bakanlığı (@modgovksa) ile Bayraktar #AKINCI TİHA ihracatı ve iş birliği sözleşmesi imzaladık.
— Haluk Bayraktar (@haluk) July 18, 2023
Türkiye Cumhuriyeti tarihinin en büyük savunma ve havacılık ihracatı sözleşmesi hayırlı ve uğurlu olsun. 🇹🇷🇸🇦#MilliTeknolojiHamlesi 🌍🇹🇷 https://t.co/Y3JwhZV826 pic.twitter.com/iCfehdIHs6
The investments and funding from Gulf countries, including Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, have significantly alleviated pressure on Turkey's economy and currency reserves since 2021. This positive development can be attributed to Turkey's diplomatic efforts to repair relations with the Gulf states.
For years, Turkey had been at odds with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates due to Ankara's support for pro-democracy movements in the Middle East and North Africa. The murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in 2018 further strained relations. However, through diplomatic channels and discussions, Turkey managed to mend ties with these Gulf nations.
The defense contract between Saudi Arabia and Turkey marks a major milestone in the growing cooperation between the two countries. The purchase of Turkish drones will undoubtedly bolster Saudi Arabia's defense capabilities and contribute to its military preparedness.
The significance of this deal extends beyond defense cooperation, as it demonstrates the success of President Erdogan's diplomatic efforts and the positive impact they have had on Turkey's economy. The strengthened ties between Turkey and Saudi Arabia, as well as other Gulf nations, open doors for further collaboration and mutually beneficial ventures.
