Türkiye Offers to Sell Locally Manufactured Drones to Sri Lanka

Ankara, The Gulf Observer: Türkiye has offered to sell drones manufactured in the country to Sri Lanka as part of expanding defence cooperation between the two nations, according to Ambassador of Türkiye Semih Lütfü Turgut.

Speaking during a recent meeting organised by the Pathfinder Foundation, Ambassador Turgut said defence procurement remains an important area of bilateral cooperation. He noted that Turkish-made drones could be utilised by the Sri Lankan military for various purposes, including maritime surveillance.

The Ambassador revealed that the proposal has already been conveyed to Sri Lankan defence authorities; however, discussions are still at a preliminary stage and no agreement has been finalised so far.

Highlighting growing maritime cooperation, Ambassador Turgut recalled the visit of the Turkish warship TCG Büyükada to Sri Lanka in June 2025. The visit underscored joint efforts in enhancing maritime security, combating illegal trafficking, and ensuring the safety of vital sea lanes.

Beyond defence, the Ambassador pointed to tourism as a rapidly growing sector of cooperation between Türkiye and Sri Lanka. He also noted that Sri Lanka continues to export tea to Türkiye, reflecting steady trade relations between the two countries.

The remarks reflect Türkiye’s broader engagement with Sri Lanka across defence, security, tourism, and trade, as both countries seek to strengthen their bilateral ties.