UAE delegation visits Turkey to discuss defence cooperation

A delegation from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has visited Turkey to explore cooperation in the defence sector, as the two countries continue to repair and improve their relations.

According to the news agency Reuters, which cited an anonymous Turkish official, the delegation of Emirati officials met with the Presidency of Defence Industries (SSB) on Monday to discuss areas of cooperation in the defence sector.

The news outlet Bloomberg cited another source as saying that the delegation also met with prominent Turkish defence companies based in Ankara, such as Aselsan. It reportedly particularly prioritised meeting representatives of Turkish drone makers.

It comes after the head of the SSB, Ismail Demir, on the weekend indicated that the UAE had shown significant interest in Turkey’s domestic defence industry, and said that Ankara and Abu Dhabi could potentially work together in that sector.

“When we look at our defence industry figures, we see that our defence industry relations continued even during times of crises. There was contact even when relations were not at their highest,” he said. “I would like to point out that these contacts will be better when relations improve.”

The visit by the Emirati delegation comes at a time when the two nations are restoring and improving their relations after a decade of regional rivalry. As part of those efforts, the UAE’s Crown Prince, last month, visited Turkey and agreed to invest $10 billion into Turkey. A few days later, reports also emerged that Abu Dhabi was considering boosting Ankara’s foreign reserves with a $5 billion currency swap deal.

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UAE delegation met with the Presidency of Defense Industries (SSB) on Monday, an official told Reuters on condition of anonymity.

It also held talks with Ankara-based defense companies, including Aselsan, another source was cited as telling Bloomberg. The team also met with representatives of Turkish drone makers, the official said.

SSB Chairperson Ismail Demir said at the weekend that the two countries had the potential to work together in the defense sector, indicating that Abu Dhabi had shown interest in the Turkish sector.

“When we look at our defense industry figures, we see that our defense industry relations continued even during times of crises. There was contact even when relations were not at their highest,” Demir said.

“I would like to point out that these contacts will be better when relations improve.”

Turkey said in September it was in talks with the UAE over investments in energy such as power generation.

delegation from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) paid a visit to Turkey to explore cooperation opportunities in the defense industry, sources said Tuesday.

The visit comes less than two weeks after the UAE’s de facto ruler, Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan (MBZ), paid an official visit to Ankara.

The trip yielded accords for billions of dollars of investments, and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said they would herald a “new era” in ties. The UAE has also announced it allocated a $10 billion fund to support mainly strategic investments in Turkey.

As part of a new diplomatic initiative launched last year, Turkey has also moved to repair ties with Egypt and Saudi Arabia.

The UAE delegation met with the Presidency of Defense Industries (SSB) on Monday, an official told Reuters on condition of anonymity.

Emirati normalisation questions

It also held talks with Ankara-based defense companies, including Aselsan, another source was cited as telling Bloomberg. The team also met with representatives of Turkish drone makers, the official said.

SSB Chairperson Ismail Demir said at the weekend that the two countries had the potential to work together in the defense sector, indicating that Abu Dhabi had shown interest in the Turkish sector.

“When we look at our defense industry figures, we see that our defense industry relations continued even during times of crises. There was contact even when relations were not at their highest,” Demir said.

“I would like to point out that these contacts will be better when relations improve.”

Turkey said in September it was in talks with the UAE over investments in energy such as power generation.

The UAE, whose sovereign wealth funds have made significant investments in Turkish online grocer Getir and e-commerce platform Trendyol, has said it seeks deeper economic ties with Ankara.

The UAE has accelerated a push to step back from regional conflicts and refocus on the economy.

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