14.11.2026 13:10
The developing cooperation between Turkey and Saudi Arabia in the field of the defense industry is also under close scrutiny by the international press. Retired Saudi Major General Dr. Mohammed al-Qubayban, who participated in the program of the German public broadcaster Deutsche Welle (DW), gave clear answers to questions questioning Turkey's reliability.
As joint steps taken between Türkiye and Saudi Arabia in the field of the defense industry gain momentum, the military and technological cooperation between the two countries continues to be discussed in the international press. Retired Saudi Major General Dr. Mohammed al-Kubeyban, who was a guest on Germany's public broadcaster Deutsche Welle, drew attention with his answers to the presenter's skeptical questions about Türkiye.
DEFENSE ALLIANCE FROM TÜRKİYE, PAKISTAN AND SAUDI ARABIA
After the Mecca Defense Alliance, prepared for joint defense purposes among Türkiye, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, became official by being published in the Official Gazette on August 7, defense cooperation efforts in the region accelerated. Haluk Görgün, Head of the Presidency of Defense Industries, announced that more than 75 meetings were held in the last three years to develop defense industry cooperation between Türkiye and Saudi Arabia. Stating that Türkiye has gained great experience in the defense industry, especially in the last 20 years, Görgün said that talks were conducted at different levels to share this accumulation with friendly and allied countries.
"WE AIM FOR COOPERATION THAT SPREADS ACROSS THE SUPPLY CHAIN"
Speaking at the event held in Istanbul within the scope of Türkiye-Saudi Arabia Defense Industry Days, ROKETSAN General Manager and SAHA Istanbul Vice President Murat İkinci stated that important goals have been set between the two countries regarding joint production and technology transfer. Explaining that ROKETSAN has initiated collaborations with Saudi defense industry organizations NCMS and SAMI, İkinci emphasized that the efforts will not be limited only to large companies. İkinci said, "For a long time, we have been trying to develop our collaborations in this field, but we are aiming not only for cooperation among ourselves here, but actually for cooperation that spreads to SMEs and across the supply chain in this field."
"TÜRKİYE, A RELIABLE PARTNER THAT WILL NOT BLACKMAIL"
Retired Saudi Major General Dr. Mohammed al-Kubeyban, who participated in the program on German television Deutsche Welle, answered questions regarding defense industry cooperation with Türkiye. Stating that Saudi Arabia has begun its own production and development activities in the defense industry but needs a reliable partner in this process, Kubeyban explained in clear terms why Türkiye is preferred. Kubeyban said, "Which country has the Saudi administration identified as a reliable partner that will not blackmail it in order to work together? Türkiye."
CLEAR ANSWER TO THE AKINCI QUESTION
The program's presenter asked whether, in a possible AKINCI production in Saudi Arabia, the country could make independent decisions and whether technological secrets would remain under Türkiye's control. Answering this question, Kubeyban recalled that agreements were reached with more than 100 Turkish companies at the latest Defense Industry Fair held in Istanbul. Emphasizing that technology transfer is one of the fundamental elements in military contracts, the Saudi general explained that the agreements with Türkiye are not based solely on purchasing products but also include the development of technological capacity.
"TÜRKİYE WILL GIVE ME ITS TECHNOLOGY"
Drawing attention to the importance of strategic partnerships in the defense industry, Kubeyban stated that technology transfer would increase Saudi Arabia's future production capacity. Kubeyban used the following expressions: "Now let's get to the essence of the matter. Türkiye will give me its technology, and I will be the side that develops and supports this technology. In fact, perhaps after a certain point I will no longer need Türkiye. This is a fundamental question that needs to be considered."
Also touching on the goals that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman brought to the agenda during his tenure as Minister of Defense and that are now being continued by Prince Khalid, Kubeyban emphasized that the aim is to obtain maximum benefit from defense agreements. He stated that Saudi Arabia is expected to make significant progress in this field at least until 2030.
"UAVS HAVE CHANGED THE COURSE OF WARS"
Stating that Saudi Arabia aims for 100 percent localization in the defense industry, Kubeyban emphasized that military technologies require continuous development and experience. Explaining that unmanned aerial vehicles in particular have reached a decisive position in modern wars, Kubeyban stated that UAV production, electronic systems and chip technologies are of great importance in today's conflicts. Stating that these technologies have changed the course of wars and the balance of power between countries, Kubeyban said that new efforts in these fields would come to the agenda within the scope of the Mecca Defense Alliance. Noting that the alliance was established for defense purposes, the Saudi general noted that the collaborations to be carried out will also increase the technological capacity of companies in Saudi Arabia.
"TÜRKİYE AND SAUDI ARABIA SHOULD SHARE RESPONSIBILITY"
Stating that military cooperation between the two countries should be carried further, Kubeyban said that Türkiye is in a strong position in terms of both experience and financial opportunities.
Expressing that Saudi Arabia has also demonstrated significant will in the defense industry, Kubeyban emphasized that in military agreements companies should act jointly and responsibility should be shared equally between the firms of the two countries. Stating that one of the most important obstacles to cooperation is bureaucracy, Kubeyban called for accelerating the sharing of knowledge and experience. The Saudi general stated that removing confidentiality restrictions is an urgent need so that joint efforts in the defense industry can be carried out more efficiently.
HE ALSO ANSWERED THE PRESENTER'S QUESTION ON THE BALANCE OF POWER
The DW presenter raised the issue that removing confidentiality restrictions in defense technologies could put the party sharing technology at a disadvantage and could change the balance of power in the region. Responding to this assessment, Kubeyban recalled that Türkiye is part of the defense alliance in question and that it itself faces various threats. Stating that factories to be established in Saudi Arabia would create important opportunities for both countries, Kubeyban drew attention to the role of research and development centers in the defense industry.
Kubeyban said, "In addition, among the agreements concluded in Türkiye within two days, there are also efforts related to artificial intelligence applications. Research centers are needed to develop such technologies. We, as Saudi Arabia, also have these centers and the necessary infrastructure."