The defense and military relations between Saudi Arabia and Turkey have witnessed remarkable progress over the past year. A series of high-level meetings and visits between officials from both countries have focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation, developing military industries, and localizing defense technologies.

Saudi Chief of Staff’s Visit to Turkey
Saudi Arabia’s Chief of Staff, General Fayyad Al-Ruwaili, arrived in Ankara yesterday evening for an official visit. He was warmly received by his Turkish counterpart, General Metin Gürak. The visit marked the sixth meeting of the Saudi-Turkish Joint Military Commission, held at the Turkish General Staff Headquarters, with the participation of senior military leaders from both sides.

Discussions during the meeting centered on enhancing military cooperation, joint training programs, and the exchange of technical and operational expertise.

Preceding Steps
This visit follows a series of significant meetings and visits between the two sides in recent months. Just five days earlier, Saudi Arabia’s Assistant Minister of Defense for Executive Affairs, Dr. Khalid Al-Biyari, visited Ankara and met with the President of Turkey’s Defense Industry Agency, Professor Dr. Haluk Görgün. The discussions emphasized developing military industries and bolstering cooperation between Turkish and Saudi defense companies. These efforts align with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 goal of localizing more than 50% of its military spending.

Key Topics on the Agenda:

1. Strengthening Defense Cooperation:

   • Acquisition of Turkish-made unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and localizing their production within Saudi Arabia.
   • Developing Saudi military industries with the support of Turkish technological and operational expertise.
   • Implementing joint training programs and fostering military knowledge exchange.

2. Defense Industries and Technology Transfer:

   • Localizing advanced defense technologies.
   • Launching joint production projects and manufacturing defense systems in Saudi Arabia.
   • Taking significant steps toward reducing reliance on foreign defense imports.

Notable Meetings and Visits:

• In July 2023, during President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s visit to Riyadh, a defense cooperation plan and contracts for UAV acquisitions were signed. These agreements also included provisions for localizing UAV manufacturing in Saudi Arabia.
• Saudi Deputy Minister of Defense Eng. Talal Al-Otaibi’s visit to Turkey focused on technology transfer and enhanced defense collaboration.
• Joint military drills between Saudi and Turkish armed forces, attended by President Erdoğan and the Saudi Chief of Staff.

Expanding Collaboration Beyond Defense
The partnership between Saudi Arabia and Turkey extends beyond the defense sector, covering economic and service sectors. Educational initiatives, such as a program at Taif University to teach Arabic to Turkish Defense Ministry personnel, also highlight the broadening scope of cooperation.

A Promising Future for Strategic Partnership
The rapid pace of meetings and collaborative efforts reflects the commitment of both nations to building a robust strategic partnership. This aligns with Saudi Vision 2030, which emphasizes localizing defense industries and strengthening international partnerships.

Conclusion

Saudi-Turkish defense cooperation demonstrates a shared commitment to building a comprehensive strategic partnership that serves the interests of both nations. This collaboration is expected to pave the way for further developments in defense industry projects and military cooperation.