The Saudi Military Industries Company announced that Saudi Arabia has signed a strategic localization agreement with Turkish company "Baykar Technologies" to localize the manufacturing of drones in the Kingdom. The company stated, "This agreement will enhance our role in supporting the national defense industry and strengthening our local capabilities." Under the patronage of His Highness the Minister of Defense, we are pleased to announce the signing of a strategic localization agreement with @BaykarTech to localize the manufacturing of "Bayraktar Akinci" drones and their associated systems within the Kingdom. This agreement will bolster our role in supporting the national defense industry and enhancing our local capabilities.
In July, Saudi Arabia agreed to purchase Turkish drones from "Baykar," marking the largest defense contract in Turkey's history. Investments and funding from the Gulf have helped ease pressure on the Turkish economy and its currency reserves since 2021, when Ankara began diplomatic efforts to mend relations with Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Turkey has been at odds with both countries for years due to its support for pro-democracy movements in the Middle East and North Africa, as well as the issue of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi's murder in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in 2018.
