Turkey Becomes the Center of Global Defense Diplomacy at IDEF 2025

Held in Istanbul, the 17th International Defense Industry Fair (IDEF 2025) brought together high-level delegations from 33 countries and marked significant global cooperation. The Turkish defense industry strengthened its international impact with strategic agreements.

During the fair, President of Defense Industries Haluk Görgün held bilateral meetings with defense officials from Saudi Arabia, Azerbaijan, Malaysia, Poland, Belgium, Italy, the United Kingdom, and more. Discussions focused on joint production, technology transfer, and R&D-driven projects.

Cooperation and Agreements with Multiple Countries

Görgün met with Ahmad Abdulaziz Al-Ohali, Governor of the General Authority for Military Industries (GAMI) of Saudi Arabia, to assess current collaborations and potential future partnerships, including information and technology exchange.

In a separate meeting with Saudi Deputy Minister of Defense Dr. Khalid bin Hussein Al-Biyari, strategic cooperation in developing mutual capabilities and joint projects was discussed in detail. Cooperation agreements were signed between Saudi Arabia’s SAMI Land and Turkish firms FNSS, NUROL Makina, and ASELSAN, focusing on joint production, technology transfer, and enhancing domestic industry capabilities.

In a meeting with Azerbaijan’s Defense Minister General Zakir Hasanov, both sides discussed mutual capability development, especially in air and naval forces. Several agreements and MoUs were signed between Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Defense Industry, Azersilah Holding, Miras Holding, and leading Turkish defense companies. In addition a “Logistics Support and Sales Agreement” was signed between Baykar and the Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan at IDEF 2025.

Görgün also met with Polish Deputy Defense Minister Pawel Bejda, Belgian Minister of Defense and Trade Theo Francken, and Italian Deputy Director of National Armaments Dr. Maria Luisa Riccardi. Topics included existing projects, joint production, and advanced technology collaborations.

Other key meetings included:

• Democratic Republic of Congo: MoU signed between MKE and Afridex for a weapons and gunpowder production line.
• Bosnia and Herzegovina: Talks with Defense Minister Zukan Helez and Chief of Staff Gojko Knežević covered joint production, tech sharing, and training.
• North Macedonia: Discussions on capacity building and technology transfer with Defense Minister Vlado Misajlovski and Interior Minister Panche Toshkovski.
• Vietnam: Meeting with Deputy Minister of Defense Lt. Gen. Hoang Xuan Chien to enhance bilateral cooperation and technology partnerships.

Cooperation with Malaysia included agreements between the Defense Industry Agency (DSA) and Turkey’s SSB, as well as SASAD and Malaysia’s CDI. Görgün also met with Malaysia’s National Security Council Director General Zainal Abidin.

In a meeting with NATO Deputy Secretary General for Defense Investments Tarja Jaakkola, Görgün discussed NATO defense industry collaboration, technology sharing, and joint R&D projects.

The inaugural meeting of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) Defense Industry Institutions was held with participation from officials from Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan.

Görgün’s meetings also included:

• United Arab Emirates: Visit to the UAE pavilion with Nasser Al Nuaimi, Secretary General of Tawazun, to enhance cooperation in technology and capabilities.
• Croatia: Talks with Defense State Secretary Tomislav Galic
• Oman: Agreement between ASELSAN and SINAN; meeting with Investment Authority Chairman Abdulsalam Al Murshidi
• Spain: Talks with National Armaments Director Miguel Ivorra Ruiz; HÜRJET partnership signed between TUSAŞ and Airbus for exports to Spain
• UK: Talks with Minister of State for Defence Procurement Maria Eagle
• Gabon, Angola, Nigeria, Brazil, Ethiopia, Mozambique, Rwanda, Republic of Congo, Chile, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Gambia, Bangladesh, Mali, Kosovo, Somalia

Türkiye, Indonesia finalize sale of 48 Kaan fighter jets

A commercial contract signing ceremony was held as part of the Government-to-Government (G2G) Procurement Agreement between the Indonesian Ministry of Defense and Türkiye, covering cooperation on the delivery of 48 KAAN fighter jets, including all technical annexes and details.

Additionally, TAIS Shipyards signed a contract with the Indonesian Ministry of Defense for two MİLGEM Istif-class frigates. Turkish firm MKE has signed a contract with the Indonesian Navy to carry out Turkey’s first naval gun export. The agreement, made in cooperation with the company Republikorp, includes the supply of three Denizhan Naval Guns for three vessels.

Eurofighter Typhoon Deal

Turkish Minister of National Defense Yaşar Güler and UK Minister of Defense John Healey signed a comprehensive MoU on Turkey’s acquisition of Eurofighter Typhoon jets. This marks the official start of Turkey’s fighter jet procurement process.

The Turkish Ministry of Defense stated: “This will strengthen bonds between NATO allies and enhance Turkey’s air combat capability.”

Spain to buy 30 Turkish Hürjet jet trainers

At IDEF 2025, a cooperation agreement was signed between Turkish Aerospace Industries (TUSAŞ) and Airbus Spain for the HÜRJET Project, with the participation of Turkish Defense Industry President Prof. Dr. Haluk Görgün at the TUSAŞ booth.

This strategic partnership aims to enhance international integration, knowledge sharing, and joint development in the aviation industry.

Through such collaborations with allied and friendly nations, Türkiye continues to expand its presence in the global aviation arena with its indigenous capabilities.

High-Level Diplomatic Engagements by Minister Yaşar Güler

During IDEF 2025, Minister Yaşar Güler held meetings with:

• Ministers from Senegal, Democratic Republic of Congo, Libya
• Djibouti, Malaysia (signed cooperation agreements)
• U.S. Chamber of Commerce Vice President Keith Webster
• Guatemala (signed Military Framework Agreement)
• Albania, Gambia (signed Financial Assistance Protocols)
• Gabon, Lebanon, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Nigeria, Northern Cyprus, Mauritania, Iraq, Somalia, Mozambique, Congo, Madagascar, Niger, Saudi Arabia, Mali, Indonesia, Syria

These engagements illustrate Turkey’s broadening defense diplomacy, spanning Africa, Asia-Pacific, Europe, and beyond, positioning IDEF 2025 as a landmark event in global defense cooperation.