Turkey further penetrates the Gulf defense market
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עברית (Hebrew)
Turkey’s biggest defense firm, Aselsan, which specializes in military electronics and owned by the state-controlled Turkish Armed Forces Foundation, signed cooperation deals with two Saudi companies, further deepening efforts to penetrate into Gulf and Middle Eastern defense market.
Aselsan signed the agreement with the two Saudi establishments, King Abdulaziz City For Science and Technology (KACST) and TAQNIA Defense and Security Technologies (DST), a subsidiary of the Saudi development and investment company. Officials said the deal aims to boost defense cooperation.
Aselsan inaugurated a joint venture production plant in Jordan last December with the hope of creating a gateway to Middle Eastern and North African markets.
Aselsan Middle East (AME), a partnership between Aselsan and King Abdullah II Design and Development Bureau (KADDB), will produce border security equipment for the Jordanian army and potentially other Middle East armies. It produces night vision and thermal camera systems, and operates test and calibration laboratories.
Aselsan officials said the company’s ongoing joint programs with its Jordanian partner includes mini drones and unmanned helicopters. Future cooperation is planned in the fields of software-based radios as well as upgrades of tanks, armored vehicles and helicopters.
Aselsan primarily engages in design, development, production, system integration, modernization and after sales services in the fields of military communication systems, professional communication systems, radar and electronic warfare systems, electro-optical systems, avionic systems, defense and weapon systems, C4ISR systems, naval combat systems, transportation systems, security systems, and energy and power management systems.
