Turkey, U.A.E. Sign MoUs for Defense Industry Cooperation

Turkey and the United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.) signed two memorandums of understanding (MoU) on Monday for the development of defense industry relations between the two countries.

According to the statement issued by Turkey’s Presidency of Defense Industries (SSB), state officials and companies of the two countries came together in the capital Ankara as a continuation of the intensifying defense industry cooperation relations between Turkey and the U.A.E.

The meeting, hosted by the SSB, was attended by SSB head Ismail Demir, U.A.E. Supply Organization Tawazun Economic Council General Manager Tareq Abdul Raheem Al Hosani, senior military officials and company executives.

MoUs were signed between the Defense and Aerospace Industry Manufacturers Association (SASAD) and its counterpart organization in the U.A.E., the Emirates Defense Companies Council (EDDC), on industrial cooperation, and between TR TEST and Tawazun on testing and certification.

As a result of the efforts to increase cooperation between Turkey and the U.A.E. in the field of defense industry, a Defense Industry Cooperation Letter of Intent was signed between the two countries during President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's visit to the U.A.E. in February. Monday’s meeting and the signed MoUs were the results of the letter of intent signed at the time, Daily Sabah reported citing the SSB.

Erdoğan’s February visit was aimed at strengthening constructive dialogue to ensure regional peace and push bilateral relations to the next level.

The two countries have seen their ties affected by regional tensions, including the conflict in Libya, where the U.A.E. and Turkey have backed opposing sides in recent years.