Defense companies from the United Arab Emirates made significant strides at the Turkish Saha Expo last week, signing multiple memoranda of understanding and contracts that further enhance security relations between Abu Dhabi and Ankara.
According to Albert Vidal, a research analyst for the London-based think tank IISS, “The agreements signed by Emirati companies at Saha Istanbul are part of an ongoing trend of strengthening defense industrial ties between Türkiye and the UAE, a development that has gained momentum since early 2023,” as reported by Breaking Defense.
The expo, organized by Saha Istanbul — an association of numerous companies and universities — serves as a crucial platform for foreign entities to forge connections within the Turkish defense sector.
Notably, the UAE’s leading defense conglomerate, EDGE Group, announced the establishment of a new office called MALATH, intended to “act as a catalyst for new business engagement between EDGE and SAHA companies.” This initiative marks a new chapter in UAE-Türkiye collaboration in advanced technology and defense sectors, aiming to create additional growth opportunities throughout the region and beyond.
During the expo, MALATH signed a memorandum of understanding with Turkish ERA RF Technologies, focusing on collaboration regarding advanced satellite communication terminals and ground modems.
Additionally, LAHAB, another division of EDGE Group, secured three agreements with the Turkish ASSAN Group to supply MK munitions with a particular focus on the African market. The Emirates firm will also expand its product offerings to incorporate Warsaw-configured MK munitions with ASSAN’s backing to fulfill the operational requirements of existing customers.
As part of the agreement, ASSAN will serve as a “key supplier” to LAHAB for delivering “NATO-standard MK munitions components,” enhancing LAHAB’s supply chain. EDGE Group CEO Hamad Al Marar stated, “These agreements with ASSAN Group represent a pivotal move in strengthening our international partnerships and expanding our global footprint, which is a key component of EDGE’s export strategy.”
Emin Öner, chairman of ASSAN Group, remarked that his company is committed to boosting serial production capacity, highlighting their position as one of the largest and most successful companies in Türkiye. “Today, we are taking a very important step toward getting into the global defense market,” he said.
In the cybersecurity domain, EDGE’s ORYXLABS formed a strategic partnership with Pavo Group to develop and execute a collaborative go-to-market strategy across Türkiye, the Middle East, and Africa. Furthermore, building on earlier collaborations with Baykar, EDGE Group signed an agreement focused on strengthening ties, enhancing capabilities, and expanding market presence for both organizations.
Outside of EDGE Group, Emirati aircraft manufacturer Calidus signed an agreement with Turkish firms Aselsan and Havelsan, where Aselsan is set to provide advanced cockpit display solutions for Calidus aircraft. The partnership also includes joint production, technological innovation, and upgrades for rotary and fixed-wing aircraft. Calidus emphasized that this collaboration aims to address both current and future operational requirements through comprehensive cockpit modernization projects.
Havelsan will provide ground-based training solutions for Calidus, which recently contracted to deliver 40 B-250 trainer aircraft to the UAE Air Force, marking the inaugural deal for the training aircraft, as stated by the company’s CEO Khalifa Alblooshi in a November interview with Breaking Defense.
