Türkiye and Saudi Arabia Expand Defense Industry Cooperation

Turkish and Saudi Arabian officials convened in Istanbul on November 12, 2026, for the Türkiye-Saudi Arabia Defense Industry Days to expand bilateral defense cooperation. The partnership focuses on co-developing defense models to support Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, which aims to localize 50% of the kingdom's defense production. Saudi Arabia has already increased its localization rates from 4% to 27%.

Haluk Görgün, head of the Presidency of Defense Industries, stated that Türkiye is prepared to leverage a $120 billion portfolio and 1,400 projects to facilitate this collaboration. Potential joint research and development efforts will target autonomous systems, space systems, propulsion technologies, and integrated air and missile defense.

Saudi Minister of State Bandar al-Khorayef characterized the partnership as being based on both industry and brotherhood. The event was co-organized by the General Authority for Military Industries, Saudi Arabian Military Industries, and the defense industry cluster SAHA Istanbul.