Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman Strengthens Defense Ties with Turkiye

Istanbul, The Gulf Observer: As part of an official visit to Turkiye, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Defense, Prince Khalid bin Salman, met on Wednesday with the president of Turkiye’s Defense Industry Agency, Haluk Gorgun, along with the heads of leading Turkish defense companies in Istanbul.

During the meetings, the discussions focused on reviewing opportunities for cooperation in the military and defense sectors. These discussions are in alignment with the goals of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 plan, which aims for national development and diversification, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Prince Khalid bin Salman witnessed the signing of several agreements between Saudi and Turkish companies, marking a significant step forward in the defense collaboration between the two nations. He also visited the offices of Turkish Aerospace Industries in Ankara and Turkish defense company Baykar in Istanbul, further cementing the bilateral ties.

In a message posted on the social media platform X, Prince Khalid stated: “During my visit to Turkiye, I had the opportunity to see the capabilities of several leading companies in the space and defense industries. I explored their innovative technological projects and latest products, as well as their future plans and strategies.”

Prince Khalid’s visit began on Tuesday in Ankara, where he met with representatives of the Turkish defense company Aselsan. They briefed him on the company’s projects, latest products, and services.

Accompanying the minister were several high-ranking officials, including the Chief of the General Staff, Lt. Gen. Fayyadh Al-Ruwaili; the Assistant Minister of Defense, Talal Al-Otaibi; the Assistant Minister of Defense for Executive Affairs, Khalid Al-Bayari; and the Saudi Ambassador to Turkiye, Fahad Abualnasr.

The visit underscores the strengthening military and defense ties between Saudi Arabia and Turkiye, highlighting mutual interests in technological innovation and strategic development within the defense industry.