Saudi Arabia Signs Agreement With Bayar Tech Targeting Localisation of Drone Production

By: Asia Business Outlook Team | Sunday, 06 August 2023

Saudi Arabia signed a strategic agreement with Turkish firm Baykar Tech on Aug 6 to localise drone manufacturing in the kingdom, according to a post on messaging platform X, formerly known as Twitter.

According to SAMI, the agreement "will enhance SAMI's role in supporting the national defence industry and strengthening our local capabilities."

Saudi Arabia agreed in July to buy Turkish drones from Baykar in the largest defence contract in Turkish history.

Since 2021, when Ankara launched a diplomatic effort to repair ties with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, investments and funding from the Gulf have helped relieve pressure on Turkey's economy and currency reserves.

Turkey had been at odds for years with the two Gulf states over Ankara's support of pro-democracy movements in the Middle East and North Africa and the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in 2018.