Türkiye to sign defence-industry MoU with 3 partners in Doha

Türkiye plans to sign a defence-industry memorandum of understanding with Qatar, Pakistan and Indonesia in Doha, Yeni Şafak reported on Oct. 20.

The planned four-country document would extend Ankara’s defence export push after Turkish defence and aerospace exports exceeded $10 billion in 2025, up 48% from a year earlier, the report said, citing sector data.

A memorandum of understanding is generally a framework for cooperation rather than a completed procurement contract. The report did not give a signing date, financial value, contract volume or list of systems covered by the planned document.

Yeni Şafak said the agreement would be coordinated through Türkiye’s Presidency of Defence Industries, known as SSB, and would build on existing defence ties among the four countries. It framed the effort around supply-chain integration, joint production and technology transfer.

The report cited Defence and Aerospace Industry Exporters’ Association data showing about $54 billion in Turkish defence and aerospace exports from 2012 through the first nine months of 2026. It said exports from 2023 through 2026 surpassed $30 billion, more than 55% of the 14-year total.

The article also cited Stockholm International Peace Research Institute data saying Türkiye increased arms exports by 122% over the past five years and ranked as the world’s 11th-largest supplier. It said 56% of Türkiye’s defence and aerospace exports go to NATO allies.

Existing projects cited in the report include Bayraktar TB2 drones, armoured vehicles and assault boats supplied to Qatar; the PN MİLGEM Babur-class corvette project with Pakistan, covering four ships built in Istanbul and Karachi; and the KAPLAN MT medium tank developed by FNSS and Indonesia’s PT Pindad.

The known next step is the signing of the memorandum in Doha, though the report did not specify when the signing would take place.