Saudi Arabia and Türkiye are seeking closer cooperation in defense manufacturing and local production, as growing opportunities in the sector and mounting regional challenges drive the two countries to strengthen their partnership.
Bandar Alkhorayef, Saudi minister of state, cabinet member and acting governor of the General Authority for Military Industries (GAMI), said cooperation with Türkiye had gained momentum since Riyadh unveiled its industrial and mining strategies, with both countries stepping up efforts to develop their defense industries.
Private sector takes center stage
Alkhorayef praised Türkiye's success in developing its defense industry, saying regional challenges underscored the need for closer cooperation to localize production across a range of industrial sectors.
He was speaking at the two-day Türkiye-Saudi Arabia Defense Industry Days in Istanbul, which concluded on Thursday evening after bringing together more than 100 Turkish companies and 25 Saudi firms to explore cooperation opportunities.
Alkhorayef said Saudi Arabia had made significant strides in attracting investment to its defense industry and was seeking to build on that progress through partnerships between Saudi and Turkish companies.
The event, jointly organized by Foreign Economic Relations Board of Türkiye (DEİK), Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI) and defense industry cluster SAHA Istanbul, reflected growing defense ties between the two countries, particularly in manufacturing, technology transfer and local production.
It followed the signing of the Makkah Joint Defense Agreement by Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Pakistan on Aug. 7.
Alkhorayef said private companies would spearhead investment and development in the defense sector, stressing that Saudi-Turkish cooperation rested on shared interests.
The two governments' main task was to clear the way for private investment by focusing on three priorities: identifying key areas for cooperation and investment; providing the infrastructure and financing businesses need; and securing contracts that would give companies the confidence to invest and greater visibility over future demand, he explained.
Saudi Arabia's priorities
Alkhorayef said Saudi Arabia was directing investment toward priority technologies, both for immediate needs and the near future, while underscoring the critical role of education and human capital in shaping the defense industry's future.
He said emerging technologies would significantly transform military and defense manufacturing, with skilled workers, young talent and education playing a decisive role in that shift.
Both Saudi Arabia and Türkiye have considerable opportunities in these fields, he remarked.
Alkhorayef said the Kingdom was looking to attract defense companies with established expertise and advanced technological capabilities, highlighting the role of SAMI and its RUKN Local Content Program in expanding investment and cooperation opportunities.
Speaking at SAMI's RUKN Supplier Day, held alongside the Istanbul event, Alkhorayef said Saudi Arabia was continuing, with the support of its leadership, to build advanced domestic industrial capabilities and attract high-value investment to its defense sector.
The push is aimed at meeting a key Saudi Vision 2030 target: localizing more than 50% of defense industries by 2030.
Alkhorayef said the Saudi-Turkish partnership in military manufacturing centered on close cooperation, technology and knowledge transfer, and workforce development, all aimed at advancing localization and making companies more competitive internationally.
He hoped that the growing relationship would translate into lasting investments and long-term partnerships.
Türkiye seeks deeper partnership
Haluk Gorgun, president of Türkiye's Presidency of Defense Industries (SSB), said Ankara was working to forge sustainable defense industry partnerships with Saudi Arabia by sharing expertise and expanding cooperation in technology, research and development.
He pointed to Türkiye's substantial advances in defense manufacturing over the past two decades as a foundation for closer ties.
Gorgun called for broader cooperation with Saudi Arabia across procurement, research and development, workforce training and program management.
He said the Türkiye-Saudi Arabia Defense Industry Days had placed particular emphasis on bringing small and medium-sized enterprises from both countries closer together, strengthening supply chains and opening up opportunities for joint projects.
Potential areas of cooperation include research and development, talent and skills development, management of research infrastructure and programs, improved procurement and program management, and joint investment opportunities.
Gorgun said the Presidency of Defense Industries was developing programs to connect Turkish companies with local Saudi partners, noting that successful models of cooperation were already in place.
He said Türkiye had held several similar events with Saudi Arabia over the past three years and continued to organize them. The two countries have held more than 75 meetings on defense industries during that period.
