Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said Türkiye could pursue a joint investment with Saudi Arabia in the KAAN national fighter jet project, highlighting growing international interest in the aircraft.
Speaking to journalists aboard his return flight to Türkiye following official visits to Saudi Arabia and Egypt, Erdoğan said the country’s advances in the defense industry were drawing increased attention from regional and global partners.
Asked whether cooperation with Saudi Arabia on the KAAN program was possible, Erdoğan pointed to the long-standing historical and cultural ties between the two countries. “We have deep-rooted relations with Saudi Arabia, shaped by shared historical and cultural dimensions. During this visit, we signed important agreements aimed at further strengthening these ties,” Erdoğan said. “Türkiye’s progress in the defense industry is being closely and keenly followed by Saudi Arabia. While our priority remains meeting our own defense needs, we also strive to support the requirements of friendly and brotherly nations.”
International Praise for KAAN
Erdoğan stressed that defense cooperation carries strategic significance beyond commercial considerations, describing the KAAN project as a symbol of Türkiye’s technological autonomy. “KAAN is not merely a fighter jet; it represents Türkiye’s engineering capability and independent defense will,” he said. “The project has received widespread praise. As Türkiye becomes more influential globally in this field, similar partnerships will naturally increase. In this context, a joint investment with Saudi Arabia on KAAN is possible and could be realized at any time.”
Expanding Türkiye–Saudi Cooperation
Erdoğan said his delegation held productive talks in Riyadh with Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman, followed by meetings between officials from both countries.
According to Erdoğan, the two sides signed four agreements and adopted a joint statement. He described Saudi Arabia as a key partner for Türkiye in sectors including defense, transportation, healthcare, investment, and construction services.
Bilateral trade volume reached $8 billion as of 2025, Erdoğan noted, adding that Turkish contractors have undertaken more than 400 projects in Saudi Arabia worth approximately $30 billion. He also highlighted upcoming opportunities linked to major events such as EXPO 2030 and the 2034 FIFA World Cup.
Erdoğan further noted rising interest among Saudi citizens in visiting Türkiye, saying the trend is strengthening the social dimension of bilateral relations.
