Saudi Arabia agreed on Tuesday to buy Turkish drones in what is being called the biggest defense contract in Turkey’s history, though no exact figures were announced.
The deal comes as President Tayyip Erdogan visited Saudi Arabia seeking investment into Turkey’s embattled economy. Erdogan is in the midst of an effort to repair ties with Gulf powers.
Erdogan and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman attended the signing ceremony between Turkish defense firm Baykar and the Saudi defense ministry, Saudi state news agency SPA reported.
Saudi Arabia will acquire the drones “with the aim of enhancing the readiness of the kingdom’s armed forces and bolstering its defense and manufacturing capabilities,” Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman said in a tweet on Tuesday.
Baykar CEO Haluk Bayraktar said it was the biggest defence and aviation export contract in Turkey’s history.
“We signed a contract with the Saudi Arabian defence ministry for the Bayraktar Akinci (unmanned combat aerial vehicle) export and cooperation,” he said in a Twitter post.
Erdogan also gifted two Turkish-made EVs to King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. After their meeting, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman drove one of the vehicles with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in the passenger seat.
🇹🇷Turkish President Erdogan in 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan gifts Turkiye’s first domestically produced electric car ‘Togg’ to Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman
Two leaders examined the Togg in the courtyard of the Al-Salam Royal Palace in… pic.twitter.com/2ybw5gukL6
— Anadolu English (@anadoluagency) July 18, 2023
