RIYADH: Defense cooperation between Saudi Arabia and Turkiye is poised to strengthen following high-level talks on military capabilities, technology transfer, and scientific research development. The bilateral committee involving the two countries convened its fourth meeting in Istanbul, according to the Kingdom’s Ministry of Defense. The meeting was attended by Saudi Assistant Minister of Defense Talal bin Abdullah Al-Otaibi, Turkish Deputy Minister of Defense Celal Sami Tufekci, and President of Turkiye’s Defense Industry Agency Haluk Gorgun. Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador to Turkiye Fahd bin Asaad Abu Al-Nasr also joined the attendees, along with specialists from the Saudi Ministry of Defense, the General Authority for Military Industries, the General Authority for Defense Development, and Saudi Military Industries — an affiliate of the Public Investment Fund. Meanwhile, Al-Otaibi visited Turkiye’s leading drone manufacturer Baykar. He discussed the existing cooperation between his ministry and the Turkish company. In August 2023, Saudi Arabian Military Industries, also known as SAMI, signed a localization agreement with Baykar with the aim of strengthening the Kingdom’s manufacturing capabilities for electronic systems, mechanical parts, and aircraft structures, in addition to conducting aviation testing. The collaboration was announced to be primarily targeting the localization of drone manufacturing and associated systems in the Kingdom, SAMI posted on messaging platform X, formerly known as Twitter at that time. The purpose of the collaboration is not only to focus on improving defense self-reliance but also to capitalize on the growing Saudi-Turkish strategic alliance in the sector. In July, the defense minister announced the signing of an executive plan for defense cooperation with Turkiye’s Minister of National Defense Yasar Guler, according to the Saudi Press Agency. Prince Khalid said in a statement on his X account that two contracts with the Turkish side to acquire drones were signed.