Western defence contractors still have something of a stronghold when it comes to export of arms to the Middle East, but Turkey is making consistent inroads into a market where countries are known to have loose purse strings when it...
To read the full article, please log in or enter your email below:
Western defence contractors still have something of a stronghold when it comes to export of arms to the Middle East, but Turkey is making consistent inroads into a market where countries are known to have loose purse strings when it comes to acquiring weapons.
Half of the country’s arms sales last year went to three countries in the region - Qatar, United Arab Emirates and Oman. The recent rapprochement between Turkey and the Gulf states is expected to have a massive positive impact on Turkish arms sales in this decade and beyond.
In January this year, the Kuwait Defense Ministry and Turkish firm Baykar Makina signed a US$370 million for 18 Bayraktar TB2 drones. What is noteworthy is that the Turkish firm beat competition from military drone makers in the U.S., Europe and China to bag the contract.
Bayraktar TB2 drones have been in great demand in the region since 2018 when Qatar's armed forces signed an agreement with Baykar for six TB2s, three ground control station systems and equipment, and a training simulator. In 2021, Oman and Turkey announced a preliminary understanding for Muscat’s procurement of Bayraktar TB2 drones. No numbers were disclosed.
In September last year, Turkey and the UAE signed a massive deal, worth US$2 billion, for 120 TB2s, with reports indicating that some of the drone’s components were likely to be produced in a Baykar plant in the Emirates. Deliveries have already commenced, with UAE acquiring 20 drones last year.
The growing reputation of Turkey’s defence industry has caught Saudi Arabia’s attention as well. Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI) has expressed an interest in Turkish drones and is reportedly in discussions with Baykar for TB2 drones. In January, SAMI representatives met with Turkish defence company BMC to discuss cooperation on advanced defense technologies and land defense systems.
Interview: Şevket Ünal – Vice President, International Business Development & Marketing, HAVELSAN You are participating in the Defence & Security…
GBP Aerospace & Defence, publisher of industry leading titles such as AsianDefence Technology and World Defence Technology, has been appointedExclusive…
A top U.S. Marine official met with the Armed Forces of the Philippines in Manila on Thursday, strengthening the alliance…
The U.S. Marine Corps has temporarily deployed a drone unit to support Philippine maritime security in the South China Sea,…
Embraer and Saab, in cooperation with the Brazilian Air Force (FAB), have successfully completed the certification flight test campaign for…
Omnisys has introduced the BRO (Battle Resource Optimization) C-UAS system, a field-proven, real-time optimization platform built to help airport organizations…
Brazilian aerospace major Embraer S.A. (NYSE: EMBJ / B3: EMBJ3) has used its presence at the COP30 (the 30th UN…
In a significant move for Southeast Asian maritime security, Spanish shipbuilder Navantia and European defence prime Thales have formalised a…
In a significant development for the global air defence market, Turkish defence-electronics specialist Aselsan has reportedly been awarded a contract…
Curtiss-Wright's PacStar 451, 452, 453, and 454 tactical edge servers, which are part of PacStar Modular Data Center (MDC), are…
Saab has signed a contract with the Danish Ministry of Defence Acquisition and Logistics Organisation for deliveries of the Carl-Gustaf…
The United States military has deployed various assets to support its long-time ally in Asia with relief efforts in areas…
The Malaysian Ministry of Home Affairs, on behalf of the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA, also known as APMM), has…
Japan’s newly installed Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has ignited a sharp diplomatic flare-up with China in the wake of her…
In a significant move for the Asia-Pacific aviation and aerospace sector, the Philippine Airlines (PAL) has finalised a 12-year loan…
Thales and Universal Communication Systems have signed a contract to provide an Integrated Platform Management System (IPMS) for Royal Thai…
Indonesia’s PT SSE has launched the P2 Tiger, a new 4x4 Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) developed for Indonesia and built…
The United Arab Emirates is accelerating its engagement with the Asia-Pacific defence sector, highlighted by the decision to establish an…
Hanwha Ocean’s 4,000-ton class frigate is the centerpiece of its exhibition and this model is on offer by the shipbuilder…
The Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) has initiated a significant procurement process to acquire advanced Counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems (C-UAS), signalling a…
The People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) has for the first time publicly shown a coordinated aerial formation involving its…
Tehran appears to be charting a dramatic escalation in missile warfare doctrine. According to multiple sources, Iran is reportedly preparing…
The Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC) is encountering mounting headwinds in its bid to challenge Western aerospace dominance, as…
The Philippine Air Force (PAF) said Tuesday it deployed one of its S-70i Black Hawk helicopters to deliver relief goods…
Thailand’s new Air Force Commander-in-Chief, Air Chief Marshal (ACM) Sakesan Kantha, has unveiled a forward-looking vision for the Royal Thai…
Indo Defence Expo & Forum is now over two decades old. Launched in 2004 and hosted by Indonesia’s Ministry of…
The DSA and NATSEC Asia defence exhibitions have now been in existence for nearly four decades and is one of…
Cohort plc and Hanwha Ocean have entered into an agreement to jointly address the future needs of the Royal Thai…
Pratt & Whitney Canada has entered into a maintenance agreement at the ongoing Defense and Security show with the Royal…
ZenaTech, Inc. is actively presenting its subsidiary ZenaDrone at Defence & Security 2025. The company is engaging with regional defence…
Headquartered in Singapore with reporters spread across all major regions, GBP Aerospace & Defence is a leading media house that publishes three publications that serve the aerospace and defence sector - Asian Defence Technology, Asian Airlines & Aerospace and Daily News. Known industry-wide for quality journalism, GBP Aerospace & Defence is present at more international tradeshows and exhibitions than any other competing publication in the region.
For over three decades, our award-winning team of reporters has been producing top-notch content to help readers stay abreast of the latest developements in the field of commercial aviation, MRO, defence, and Space.
Copyright 2024. GBP. All Rights Reserved.
Home Defence & Security Space Commercial Aviation Maintence Repair & Overhaul Daily News Events About Us
2025 GBP all rights reserved.