ANKARA, Turkey — Military electronics specialist Aselsan, Turkey's biggest defense firm, has signed cooperation deals with two Saudi companies, further deepening efforts to penetrate into Gulf and Middle Eastern markets.

Aselsan said it signed a tripartite agreement with the two Saudi establishments, King Abdulaziz City For Science and Technology (KACST) and TAQNIA Defense and Security Technologies (DST), a subsidiary of the Saudi development and investment company. Officials said the deal aims to boost defense cooperation.

In a written statement​,​ Aselsan said that under the deal, the three companies will further increase cooperation in coordination with government agencies under the deal.

The agreement was signed by Saudi Arabia's Prince Dr. Turki bin Saud bin Mohammad al-Saud, president of KACST, Dr. Hamad al-Yousefi, chief executive officer of TAQNIA DST and Oguz Sener, Aselsan's vice president.

"The agreement is a start of an important strategic partnership that will have a positive impact on technology and innovation capabilities in the Kingdom," al-Saud said.

Said Sener: "The cooperation defined in this agreement will contribute to the [Saudi] Kingdom's defense and security.," Sener said.

Aselsan is owned by the state-controlled Turkish Armed Forces Foundation.

Last December Aselsan inaugurated a joint venture production plant in Jordan last December, hoping to create with the hope of creating a gateway to Middle Eastern and North African markets.

Aselsan Middle East (AME) is a partnership between Aselsan and King Abdullah II Design and Development Bureau (KADDB). KADDB owns 51 percent of AME, and Aselsan has 49 percent.

AME will produce border security equipment for the Jordanian army and potentially other Middle East armies. It produces night vision and thermal camera systems, and operates test and calibration laboratories. It AME has a capacity to produce 6,000 night vision devices annually.

Last year, AME signed a deal to deliver its SAGER thermal sighting system for the Jordanian army.

Aselsan officials say said the company's ongoing joint programs with its Jordanian partner includes mini drones and unmanned helicopters. Future cooperation is planned in the fields of software-based radios as well as upgrades of tanks, armored vehicles and helicopters.

Aselsan, listed on the Istanbul Stock Exchange, primarily engages in design, development, production, system integration, modernization and after sales services in the fields of military communication systems, professional communication systems, radar and electronic warfare systems, electro-optical systems, avionic systems, defense and weapon systems, C4ISR systems, naval combat systems, transportation systems, security systems, and energy and power management systems.

Burak Ege Bekdil was the Turkey correspondent for Defense News.

Share:
More In Industry