Turkiye and Qatar Sign Agreement For Local Production Of UAVs

Turkish drones could soon be locally produced in Qatar following a strategic memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed between STM, one of Turkiye’s leading domestic defense companies, and Qatar-based Barzan Holdings to collaborate on the joint production and development of advanced unmanned aerial systems (UAS) and unmanned naval platforms. STM announced the MoU with Qatar-based defense and security industry leader Barzan Holdings at the Doha International Maritime Defence Exhibition and Conference (DIMDEX 2026), held in Qatar, according to a company statement released on Tuesday. The signing ceremony was attended by Sheikh Saud bin Abdulrahman bin Hassan bin Ali Al Thani, Qatar’s deputy prime minister and minister of state for defense affairs, and Haluk Görgün, head of Turkiye’s Presidency of Defense Industries (SSB), underscoring the strategic importance both nations attach to this defense industrial cooperation.

Local Production of Combat-Proven Tactical UAV Systems

Under the memorandum of understanding, “the parties aim to establish the local production and integration of STM’s combat-proven tactical UAV systems in Qatar, while also advancing their future capabilities,” STM stated. Established in 1991, STM has emerged as one of Türkiye’s major defense firms, with extensive expertise in the production of air and naval systems through diverse projects including national frigates such as TCG Istanbul, the rotary wing attack drone Kargu, and the fixed-wing tactical attack drone Alpagu.

These systems have demonstrated operational effectiveness in various conflict zones, validating their design concepts and manufacturing quality. “Within the scope of the cooperation, joint production and co-development models will be explored, primarily focusing on unmanned aerial systems, while also assessing opportunities related to unmanned naval platforms,” the company explained regarding its partnership with the Qatari firm.

Technology Transfer and Engineering Support

STM will provide comprehensive engineering, systems development, and technology integration support as a development partner to Barzan Holdings, contributing substantively to the advancement of Qatar’s defense technology ecosystem. This technology transfer arrangement represents more than simple manufacturing license agreements, instead establishing collaborative engineering relationships that build indigenous Qatari capabilities in advanced defense systems.

The partnership model allows Qatar to develop domestic expertise in unmanned systems design, integration, and sustainment while benefiting from STM’s proven technological solutions. This approach aligns with Qatar’s broader strategy of reducing dependence on foreign suppliers through strategic partnerships that include meaningful technology transfer and local capability development rather than merely purchasing finished systems.

Strategic Deepening of Bilateral Defense Cooperation

Özgür Güleryüz, general manager of STM, underlined that the signed MoU represents a strategic step that further deepens defense industry cooperation between Turkiye’s and Qatar, two nations with increasingly close strategic ties. “The strong strategic relations between Turkiye’s and Qatar continue to be reinforced through concrete projects in the defense industry,” he stated. “This goodwill agreement, signed with Barzan Holdings, aims to enable the local production, integration, and advanced capability development of our tactical UAV systems preferred by more than 15 countries across four continents as well as our other autonomous capabilities in Qatar,” Güleryüz added. The international track record of STM’s unmanned systems provides Qatar with confidence in the technological maturity and operational effectiveness of platforms they will produce domestically.

Building Sustainable Defense Ecosystems

“As STM, we attach great importance to sharing our engineering strength and technological expertise with friendly and allied countries, while establishing joint production models and sustainable defense ecosystems,” Güleryüz emphasized. “We believe this cooperation will provide long-term contributions to the defense and aerospace capabilities of both nations.” This philosophy reflects Turkish defense industry strategy of creating mutually beneficial partnerships rather than purely transactional sales relationships.

By establishing local production capabilities in partner nations, Turkish defense companies create sustainable business relationships, diversify manufacturing capacity geographically, and strengthen strategic partnerships through shared industrial interests. For Qatar, hosting Turkish defense production creates employment opportunities, develops technical expertise, and enhances strategic autonomy by reducing vulnerability to potential arms embargoes or supply disruptions.

Parallel Explosives Manufacturing Partnership

The Turkish Mechanical and Chemical Industry Corporation (MKE) simultaneously signed a separate agreement with Barzan Holdings to establish a joint venture (JV), which envisages the transfer of explosives manufacturing capabilities to Qatar through the planned partnership and the sale of high-technology products such as the Tolga short-range air defense system to the Qatari Armed Forces, according to a post on X on Monday. This parallel agreement complements the STM-Barzan partnership by addressing munitions and air defense requirements, creating a comprehensive Turkish-Qatari defense industrial cooperation framework spanning multiple capability domains.

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The explosives manufacturing technology transfer will enable Qatar to produce ammunition domestically, ensuring supply security during potential conflicts when international supply chains might be disrupted. The Tolga air defense system acquisition addresses Qatar’s need for layered air defenses protecting critical infrastructure and military installations. Together, these agreements demonstrate the breadth and depth of Turkish-Qatari defense cooperation, encompassing unmanned systems, naval platforms, air defense, and munitions production. This comprehensive partnership positions Qatar as a significant hub for Turkish defense technology in the Gulf region while providing Turkish companies with strategic manufacturing locations and reliable long-term customers, creating mutually beneficial strategic alignment that extends beyond simple commercial relationships into genuine defense industrial partnership.

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