Istanbul, 12 November, 2026 (Kamran Raja): Türkiye and Saudi Arabia have reaffirmed their commitment to expanding defence industry cooperation, including joint production, technology transfer and research and development. Speaking at the Türkiye-Saudi Arabia Defence Industry Days in Istanbul on Thursday, President of Türkiye’s Defence Industries Secretariat Haluk Görgün said the country was ready to strengthen bilateral collaboration, supported by nearly 4,500 defence small and medium-sized enterprises, more than 1,400 projects and a portfolio worth around $120 billion. He said Türkiye had held 75 meetings with Saudi defence officials over the past three and a half years and was working with Saudi partners to support Riyadh’s Vision 2030 target of localising at least 50 per cent of defence production. Saudi Minister of State and Acting Governor of the General Authority for Military Industries Bandar Al-Khorayef said defence cooperation between the two countries was rooted in strong bilateral ties, adding that Saudi Arabia had increased its defence localisation rate from four per cent to 27 per cent, with a target of reaching 50 per cent through technology transfer and long-term partnerships. Türkiye’s Deputy Minister of Industry and Technology Cetin Ali Donmez highlighted the country’s growing defence and aerospace sector, saying exports had risen from $248 million in 2002 to more than $10 billion. He also cited advances in research and development, manufacturing and high-technology exports. Officials and industry representatives stressed that closer cooperation could create opportunities for joint projects involving established defence companies, small businesses and technology startups. Potential areas of collaboration include autonomous systems, air and missile defence, propulsion technologies and space systems, with both sides aiming to strengthen industrial capabilities and technological development.