Türkiye, UAE sign landmark deals to advance regional defence capabilities PHOTO

Türkiye has marked a significant milestone in its defence industry by signing a series of high-profile agreements with the United Arab Emirates at the Dubai Airshow 2025, reinforcing Ankara’s technological capabilities and regional influence.

The collaborations span both land and air defence platforms. CES Advanced Composites, in partnership with UAE-based Calidus, will supply protective coatings and pontoons for the Wahash 8x8 armored combat vehicle. The blast-resistant layers are designed to prevent shrapnel from penetrating the vehicle’s interior in the event of armor breaches, Caliber.Az reports, citing Turkish media.

The Wahash 8x8 is also the first foreign platform to be equipped with the 35mm KORKUT anti-aircraft system. The UAE variant, designated KORKUT 141/35 by ASELSAN, was unveiled at the IDEX 2025 exhibition, signaling advanced air defence capabilities for regional partners.

Türkiye’s achievements in unmanned aerial systems received a boost through a strategic memorandum of understanding between BAE Systems and Türkiye’s leading aerospace company, TUSAŞ. Sources at TUSAŞ indicate that the collaboration will focus on UAV systems and related technologies to meet growing global demand.

As part of the partnership, joint teams of engineers and defence experts from Türkiye and the UAE will assess future UAV projects and explore emerging technologies, paving the way for innovation and industrial growth.

Through these agreements, TUSAŞ aims to accelerate technological development, expand its global market footprint, and cement Türkiye’s position as a key player in the international defence sector.

By Vafa Guliyeva