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ABU DHABI / WAM
The Emirates Defence Companies Council (EDCC), in collaboration with the Turkish Defence and Aerospace Cluster Association (OSSA), organised the “UAE- Türkiye Defence Industry Cooperation Forum”, aimed to strengthen cooperation and exchange expertise in defence industry between the two friendly countries.
Supported by the Ministry of Defence and Tawazun Council, the forum was held at the Tawazun Defence Hall in the presence of officials from the two sides. A number of UAE and Turkish companies specialising in defence industries participated in the event.
The EDCC and OSSA signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on the forum’s margin to promote collaboration between defence and security companies in the UAE and Türkiye. The MoU also calls for organising joint events, seminars, and bilateral meetings to build strategic partnerships between the two sides.
The forum provided an important platform for discussing opportunities and challenges in the defence sector. Leading companies in this vital field presented various specialised services and achievements. Representatives from Tawazun Council’s various units gave presentations on the council’s services. Additionally, Emirati and Turkish companies presented their defence products and solutions.
Mona Ahmed Al Jaber, Chairwoman of EDCC, emphasised the importance of the bilateral relations between the UAE and Türkiye, highlighting the promising opportunities available for local defence and security companies to enhance cooperation with their Turkish counterparts.
She praised the growing collaboration across various sectors, expressing EDCC’s interest in expanding partnerships between UAE and Turkish companies to accelerate advancements in defence, security, and advanced technology sectors.
She said, “The UAE- Türkiye relations are built on a long history of partnership and have witnessed a significant growth across various sectors. We have exceptional opportunities to explore the capabilities of Emirati and Turkish companies in defence and security, exchange ideas, and forge fruitful partnerships in multiple fields.”
Al Jaber pointed out, the forum serves as an ideal platform to achieve our goals and ambitions through active cooperation, exchange of expertise, and building of strong networks that contribute to the development of defence industries between the two nations.
Ibrahim Yarsan, Chairman of the OSTIM Defence and Aerospace Cluster (OSSA), stressed the strategic significance of deepening defence cooperation between Türkiye and the UAE. He stated, “The UAE represents a key partner in our efforts to expand internationally, particularly in the defence and aviation sectors. At OSSA, we are focused on enhancing the competitiveness of our 320 member SMEs by fostering collaborations that extend beyond traditional partnerships. Our presence here today, with the support of the Turkish Ministry of Trade and alongside 23 of our leading companies, is a testament to our commitment to building long-term, sustainable partnerships with UAE companies.”
He added, “By leveraging the strengths of both countries – Türkiye’s robust manufacturing base and the UAE’s advanced technological capabilities – our goal is to develop joint ventures that, not only enhance our respective capacities but also create innovative solutions for the global defence market. We see enormous potential in knowledge sharing, technology transfer, and co-developing products that will give both countries a competitive edge in international defence projects. Together, we can lead advancements in defence and aerospace, positioning both countries as global players in this vital industry.”