Saudi buys Turkish drones during President Erdogan's visit
During a significant diplomatic visit by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Saudi Arabia has agreed to purchase Turkish drones, marking a notable development in their bilateral relations. This deal comes as a part of several lucrative contracts aimed at boosting Turkey's struggling economy and reestablishing ties with Gulf Arab powers.
President Erdogan's visit to Saudi Arabia on Monday was accompanied by an extensive entourage of approximately 200 businesspeople, as confirmed by the Foreign Economic Relations Board of Turkey. This visit is one of the three stops on his regional tour.
The visit resulted in the signing of multiple memorandums of understanding (MoUs) covering various sectors, including energy, direct investments, and defense industries. A significant moment during the visit was the signing ceremony between Turkish defense firm Baykar and the Saudi defense ministry, which was attended by President Erdogan and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, as reported by the Saudi state news agency SPA.
The purchase of Turkish drones by Saudi Arabia holds strategic importance for the kingdom. According to Saudi Arabia's Defence Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman Al Saud, the acquisition aims to strengthen the readiness of the kingdom's armed forces and enhance its defense and manufacturing capabilities. This move highlights the growing cooperation between the two nations in the realm of defense and technology.
Overall, President Erdogan's visit to Saudi Arabia signifies a positive step towards reinforcing economic ties and cooperation between the two influential Middle Eastern countries, benefiting both nations in their pursuit of growth and regional stability.